Quick Summary:
Date Tested: 02/01/2022
In this review, I evaluate the Sun Bum original SPF50 sunscreen spray. This particular sunscreen formulation uses a chemical approach to blocking UV rays and incorporates quite an arsenal of chemical blockers. The active ingredients of Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 15%, Octisalate 5%, and Octocrylene 7% are all added to this sunscreen cocktail which should have provided strong sun protection.
However, what I found was this was not the case as the results were pretty awful. Did I get a bad batch? Was there a problem with the aerosol dispensing mechanism? I am unsure. As a general rule, I feel slightly more confident chemical based sunscreen will test better than physical ones as they doesn’t rely on the physical blocking particles to form an even layer to provide adequate UV protection. Whatever the reason, this organic (chemical) sunscreen formulation proved the opposite!
The Sun Bum SPF50 original spray only reduced UVI reaching the skin by 50.32%, blocked only 44.86% of UVA, and only reduced UVB irradiance by 38.61%. This is terrible. Actually, this is worse than the Biore’ Aqua rich! AHHH!
Sun Bum Broad Spectrum SPF50 spray ingredients
Active ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 15%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 7%
Inactive Ingredients:
alcohol denat. (54%), C12-15 alkyl benzoate, acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, dicaprylyl carbonate, PPG-5-ceteth-20, fragrance, tocopherol
Manufacturers Website: www.sunbum.com
Sun Bum SPF50 spray sunscreen characteristics at a glance:
- Broad Spectrum (has an SPF50 but no specific UVA rating)
- Organic (chemical) sunscreen classification
- Contains Vitamin E
- Oxybenzone Free, Octinoxate Free, Cruelty Free, Vegan, Oil Free, Paraben Free, Gluten Free, PABA Free, Propylene Glycol Free, Retinyl Palmitate Free, Water Resistant (80 Minutes)
- Viscosity is expected for a spray sunscreen.
Prepared slide ready for testing
Unfortunately I cannot find the photo of the Sun Bum slide prepared for testing. As of such I will put this sad face image as a placeholder until I am able to locate the photo.
If you need a mental image, just imaging hair spray sprayed on a microscope slide with a cover slip stuck on top of it.
Below are the results from 2 hours of testing in my UV testing station.
Sun Bum original SPF50 sunscreen spray UV blocking test results
Ultraviolet light quick reference:
UVA: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 315nm – 400nm. The “Aging UV light” – Causes wrinkles.
UVB: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 280nm – 315nm. The “Bad UV light” – Causes skin cancer.
UVI: The global sun UV index. The more a sunscreen can reduce the level of UVI, the better.
Sun Bum SPF50 sunscreen test results:
Ultraviolet sensor readings:
| Before Sunscreen | After Sunscreen | % UV Blocked | |
| TEMP | 79.35 | 79.87 | |
| UVA | 24340.5 | 13420.75 | 44.86% |
| UVB | 1291 | 792.5 | 38.61% |
| UVI | 14.32 | 7.12 | 50.32% |
Want to know more about how I test sunscreen? Head here to read about the details.
Testing notes:
The Sun Bum SPF50 sunscreen spray test results were quite disappointing. Chemical based sunscreens typically provide very strong protection from ultraviolet radiation. In this case however, it seemed as though the chemicals were not working correctly. I was sure to shake the bottle quite well before creating the microscope slide sample so I am unsure what could have been the issue. Did I get a bad batch? For a sanity check, I also went over to amazon and checked some reviews. It looks like there is some inconsistency in how the product dispenses. Maybe I’ll retest at a later date but honestly, if a sunscreen is already proving inconsistencies (either with its dispensing mechanism or formula), why even bother.
There are so many other more cost effective and reliable sunscreen formulations available on the market that choosing one which provides “iffy” UV protection from one application to the next doesn’t make any sense. I do not recommend this sunscreen.
Want to try the Sun Bum Original Broad Spectrum SPF50 sunscreen spray?
I do not recommend this sunscreen due to the inconsistent nature of its ultraviolet protection qualities. I would recommend choosing a product which is capable of protecting against UVA, UVB, and thereby the UVI reaching your skin. Use something which works all the time and provides worry-free sun protection instead.
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