Vacation Sunscreen Review: Putting the "Fun" in Sun Protection

Hey there, sunscreenies! If you‘re like me and always on the lookout for the latest and greatest in sun protection, you‘ve probably heard the buzz about Vacation sunscreens. This new brand has been making waves (pun intended) in the SPF world with their bold 80s-inspired packaging, signature summer scent, and mission to make sunscreen fun again.

As someone who takes skincare seriously but also loves a good dose of nostalgia, I couldn‘t resist getting my hands on Vacation‘s classic and mineral sunscreens to see if they lived up to the hype. In this review, I‘ll be sharing my honest thoughts on everything from the ingredients and protection level to the texture, scent, and overall user experience. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if Vacation is worth adding to your beach bag this summer!

About Vacation: Sunscreen That Takes You Back

Vacation is the brainchild of Dakota Green, Lach Hall, and Nate Spees, the creators behind Poolsuite FM, an online radio station that streams 80s summer hits and tropical house music 24/7. The idea for Vacation sunscreen came about when the trio realized there was a lack of sunscreens on the market that captured the carefree, nostalgic feeling of summer.

In an interview with Beauty Independent, co-founder Dakota Green shared:

"We saw an opportunity to create something that would make people excited about wearing sunscreen. We wanted to take a product that‘s typically seen as a chore and turn it into a treat, something that evokes joy and nostalgia."

And so, Vacation was born. The brand‘s mission is simple: to create high-quality, sensorial sunscreens that transport you to a sunny state of mind with every application. They believe that protecting your skin should be an enjoyable experience, not a mundane task.

To bring this concept to life, Vacation worked with a team of top cosmetic chemists to develop their unique "Leisure Enhancing Formula", which not only provides broad spectrum SPF 30 protection, but also nourishes skin with ingredients like coconut oil, vitamin E, and glycerin. The goal was to create a sunscreen that felt like skincare, not just a shield against UV rays.

Ingredients and Protection

Let‘s talk SPF. Vacation‘s Classic Lotion and Mineral Lotion both provide broad spectrum SPF 30, which means they protect against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, SPF 30 blocks about 97% of the sun‘s UVB rays and is the minimum level of protection recommended for daily use.

The Classic Lotion features a blend of chemical sunscreen ingredients, including avobenzone (3%), homosalate (10%), octisalate (5%), and octocrylene (2.8%). These UV filters work by absorbing the sun‘s rays and converting them into heat that‘s released from the skin. Avobenzone, in particular, is a highly effective UVA filter that‘s been shown to maintain 95% of its protection after 120 minutes of exposure.

On the flip side, Vacation‘s Mineral Lotion uses non-nano zinc oxide (13.5%) as its sole active ingredient. Zinc oxide is a physical sunscreen that sits on top of the skin and reflects UV rays away from the body. It‘s a great option for those with sensitive skin or an aversion to chemical UV filters. The non-nano size ensures the zinc particles are too large to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Both formulas are enriched with skin-loving ingredients like:

• Coconut oil: A natural emollient that moisturizes and softens skin
• Shea butter: Rich in vitamins and fatty acids to nourish and protect the skin barrier
• Vitamin E: A powerful antioxidant that helps fight free radicals and premature aging
• Aloe vera: Soothes and hydrates skin with anti-inflammatory benefits

Vacation prides itself on creating "clean chemical sunscreens", meaning their formulas are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate (which can harm marine life), as well as parabens, phthalates, and other controversial ingredients. All of their sunscreens are also vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.

Packaging and Experience

Forget boring white bottles – Vacation‘s packaging is an homage to all things 80s and summer. Each product features bold, colorful graphics like neon palm trees, geometric shapes, and retro-inspired fonts that instantly put you in vacation mode.

The attention to detail is impressive, from the "Leisure Enhancing Formula" tagline to the quirky product descriptions that read like a postcard from your funkiest friend. Even the boxes are designed to look like mini travel suitcases, complete with a handle and zipper.

Vacation‘s Classic Lotion comes in a generous 5 oz. tube that‘s perfect for tossing in your beach bag or carry-on. The Mineral Lotion is housed in a 3 oz. squeeze tube with a pointed tip for easy dispensing. Both tubes are made with a soft, matte material that‘s easy to grip, even with slippery hands.

But the real star of the show is Vacation‘s signature scent. Described as a "nostalgic blend of coconut, banana, orange blossom, pineapple, and swimsuit Lycra", it‘s like a tropical cocktail for your nose. The scent is strong enough to notice upon application but fades into a subtle, beachy aroma after about 30 minutes. It really does make putting on sunscreen feel like a treat rather than a chore.

In terms of application, the Classic Lotion has a lightweight, almost gel-like texture that glides effortlessly over the skin without pulling or tugging. It absorbs quickly and dries down to a smooth, non-greasy finish that doesn‘t feel sticky or tacky. I love how it creates a perfect base for makeup and doesn‘t pill or separate when layered.

The Mineral Lotion, as expected, has a slightly thicker consistency that requires a bit more effort to blend in. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how easily it sheered out and disappeared into my skin without leaving a white cast or chalky residue. It does have a more noticeable "sunscreen" scent, but still features hints of Vacation‘s signature fragrance.

Both formulas feel hydrating and nourishing on the skin, thanks to the added skincare ingredients. After a day in the sun, my face and body felt soft, smooth, and protected without any redness or irritation. The Classic Lotion, in particular, is a standout for everyday use because of how lightweight and undetectable it feels.

What Others Are Saying

Don‘t just take it from me – Vacation has racked up a loyal following of SPF enthusiasts who rave about the brand‘s fun factor and efficacy. Peruse the reviews on their website and you‘ll find countless anecdotes of how Vacation sunscreens held up to all kinds of summer activities, from surfing in Hawaii to lounging on the Amalfi Coast.

One customer shared:

"I took this sunscreen on a two-week trip to Mexico and it exceeded my expectations. Not only did it protect my skin from burning (I‘m pretty fair), but it also made me excited to apply sunscreen every day. The scent is addictive and the texture is so silky. Worth every penny!"

Another wrote:

"I gifted this sunscreen to my 60-year-old dad who typically hates wearing SPF and he‘s obsessed. He says it doesn‘t feel greasy or heavy like other sunscreens and the scent reminds him of family vacations in the 80s. It‘s become a new bonding experience for us."

On the brand‘s Insta feed, you‘ll see tons of user-generated content featuring Vacation‘s instantly recognizable tubes posed poolside, at the beach, and even in the snow (sun protection is a year-round necessity, after all). The common thread among all the posts and reviews is a sense of pure, unadulterated joy – a feeling that‘s all too rare when it comes to sunscreen.

At the time of writing, Vacation‘s Classic Lotion boasts an impressive 4.9 out of 5-star rating based on over 500 reviews. The Mineral Lotion is not far behind with a 4.8-star average from over 100 reviews. Clearly, this brand is resonating with a wide range of people who appreciate a side of fun with their sun protection.

Giving Back and Looking Forward

As much as Vacation is about good vibes and nostalgia, the brand also has a serious mission to fight skin cancer and promote sun safety. They‘ve partnered with non-profit organizations like the Skin Cancer Foundation and Bright Guard to donate a portion of their proceeds to skin cancer research and education.

In the future, Vacation plans to launch more innovative SPF products that push the boundaries of what sunscreen can be. They‘ve hinted at developing a line of reef-safe sunscreens with bio-based packaging, as well as expanding into other sun protection categories like UPF clothing and accessories.

But perhaps the most impactful thing Vacation is doing is changing the conversation around sunscreen. By making SPF fun, engaging, and something to look forward to, they‘re encouraging a new generation to prioritize sun safety and make it a lifelong habit. As someone who‘s had my own brush with skin cancer, I can‘t overstate how important this mission is.

At the end of the day, sunscreen is about so much more than preventing wrinkles or sunburns. It‘s an act of self-care, a way to protect the skin we live in and ensure we can enjoy many more sunny days to come. Vacation just makes that act a whole lot more enjoyable.

The Verdict

So, is Vacation sunscreen worth the hype? In my opinion, absolutely. Not only do their formulas provide top-notch protection against UV rays, but they also make the daily act of applying sunscreen a joy. The packaging, the scent, the texture – every element is carefully crafted to evoke those carefree summer memories and put a smile on your face.

Of course, no product is perfect. Some may find the price point a bit steep compared to drugstore sunscreens (the Classic Lotion retails for $22 and the Mineral for $24). And if you‘re someone who prefers completely unscented products, the signature fragrance might be a bit much.

But I truly believe you can‘t put a price on a high-quality product that encourages healthy habits and spreads happiness. Vacation is more than just a sunscreen – it‘s a lifestyle, a mindset, a reminder to prioritize joy and self-care every single day. In a world that often feels heavy and serious, Vacation is a welcome dose of levity and optimism.

Whether you‘re lounging by the pool, exploring a new city, or just running errands on a sunny day, Vacation has your back (and your face, and your arms, and your legs). So go ahead and treat yourself to a tube or two. Your skin – and your inner child – will thank you.

Now if you‘ll excuse me, I have a date with a inflatable flamingo and an ice cold piña colada. Happy summering!