A Review of Banana Boat's Ultra and Mineral Protect Sunscreens

Look I never want to make people feel like I am telling them to suck eggs so when I talk about stuff it is from my experience only. I can't necessarily tell you if there is a really bad ingredient in there etc... but I will always tell you what works and what doesn't on me.

Sunscreen is an area I feel like I am an educated light-weight in. There are a lot of blogs out there that talk about all kinds of sunscreens (including a hero of mine who even made her own) and the scientific reasons why they work. The only reason I am dipping my toe in here is because I have a product I have used for as long as I can remember that I trust pretty much like nothing else and I think you might like to try it if you are in the sunscreen market.

My experience of sunscreens generally has been disappointing or in other words I still get burnt when I put sunscreen on. The next product is the only sunscreen I have ever used and NEVER been burnt, not even feels like my skin is burning - NOTHING is getting through this product if you reapply.

Banana Boat Ultra SPF30 4 Hour Water Resistant Lotion. (UVA/UVB Protection)
OK I am going to rave - I freaking love this stuff. If I could buy shares in BB just to support this product being made I would. If no one else in Australia bought this sunscreen I would. I have used this particular sunscreen during outdoor Christmases, days at the cricket, honeymoons to Queensland, all over this nation, year after year and NEVER EVER have I been burnt. I don't even tan with this product. It is without a doubt my holy grail sunscreen. I reapply every 2 hours whether I am in water or not because seriously I should never be in the sun -ever.

I have used this on my face and body and it doesn't even make me break out. I think now I have discovered BB creams I would use this sunscreen on my neck and below but it does well on my face and doesn't make my eyes sting.

Contains:
Active Ingredients: Octyl Methoxycinnamate 7.00% w/w, 4-Mthylbenzlidene Camphor 1.00% w/w, Zinc Oxide (Micronised) 6.00% w/w. Preservatives: Phenoxyethanol, Diazolidinylurea, Hydroxbenzoates

Then I heard about mineral or natural sunscreens and BB have released their mineral protect versions too:

 Banana Boat Mineral Protect Sensitive 4 Hour Water Resistant Lotion. (UVA/UVB Protection)
I'm just going to say up front that the kids and sensitive tubes have exactly the same ingredients but I don't see that as pulling a swifty in any way. I think if your skin is sensitive you want to see a product that is suitable for you, the same goes for a parent trying to find a kid-friendly sunscreen option as well. Good on BB for making flexible packaging IMO, although you may feel differently.

Well I had a chance to try this sunscreen just recently when Adelaide decided to do a 35 degree day when my step-daughter was due to be in a local Christmas pageant. There was no shade and the hot burning Adelaide sun was beating down, so I decided it was Mineral Protect Sensitive formula's time to shine. And shine it did. I was in direct sun for about 2 hours between 10-12pm - which would have been heaps of time for me to burn if I was going to. So all I can say is that it did the job perfectly for my husband, step-son and I because all of us remained sunburn free.

I did notice that I still felt that uncomfortable "burning" feeling of the sun which I don't get with the Ultra and that made me panic that this formula it wasn't working so I applied another layer on my neck. However as I noted afterwards none of us had any issues with burning and my skin felt really nice although I could still feel it was 'there' on my skin. It rubbed in beautifully and I definitely could not see any 'whiteness' on my skin afterwards but I am pale. We didn't take any pictures using flash to really test it but in normal pics everyone looked perfect.

Contains: Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide 22% w/w. Preservatives: Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbic Acid and Phenoxyethanol.

To compare the two I rubbed half of the Mineral Protect sensitive of the left side and half Ultra on the right side.

You can see by the results that both will look shiny if sunlight catches you at the right angle. I would say that the Mineral Protect looked slightly more shimmery but again I didn't see any white patches (remember these pictures are really close up and taken immediately after application).

So are you thinking I need to pick a lane?  Well here it is - Ultra works like a bomb if you don't mind the ingredients but if you want to go natural, then the Mineral Protect version seems to work equally well but I'll be testing the Mineral Protect more and more this summer of course.

My only real point of difference I can tell at this point is the texture. Ultra is quite easy to rub in while the Mineral Protect was a little drier but still able to rubbed in without too much effort. Apart from that, it's the toss of a coin for me as they both throw a shine in the sun so I'm not picking a lane - I choose them all lol.

You can find out more about their range (it's huge) and where to buy Banana Boat from here

Disclaimer: These sunscreens were provided for review however as stated in my post I have used the Ultra sunscreen consistently for years.

Monthly Favourites: October 2011

I haven't done one of these posts since June as I have been trialling different products for review purposes. While I am still doing that I have been making more of an effort to just use what I like on some days too. So here we go:

Foundation: This month I actually have 2 and here's why. Firstly I was using up my Maybelline Smooth Mousse foundation which I love, it just doesn't hold up to a full day at work for me. I find that my skin wants to absorb anything including makeup in an effort to be less dry. Once that was done and dusted I started using Face of Australia's Lasting Looks Natural Foundation with SPF15 and loved this one too. This foundation retails for $11.95 and seriously is freaking awesome - lasts wonderfully for work but if you are super super pale it may be a little dark (think your more tanned summer face - or should I say less scry white summer face?).

Blush: I was sent some BYS products for review and decided to pick up some more to test out myself. One of those that I picked up was BYS' blush in Peach Sundae (I think Lilit recommended this one it to me) and I have to say this blush is a gorgeous light summery, shimmery peach - just the way I like 'em.  At 4.95 AUD (from memory) this one is a total bargain. LOVE!

Powder: I have been using Face of Australia's face powder for a number of months now and I am not making any headway. A word of warning though for those with dry skin - less is more otherwise you can look dry. In fact I haven't needed a face powder when using the FOA foundation mentioned above so I assume this will last me forever. This baby retails for $11.95 AUD as well.

Eyeshadow: Just when I thought this was going to be an Aussie favourites post (lol) in slams NARS with their cream eyeshadow in Mykonos. It's neutral, sparkly, easily blendable, stays all day, doesn't crease and I love it all over my lid for that "I look like I made an effort but I really didn't" days. I get my NARS from kissandmakeupny

Mascara: Recently I mentioned that I had done a bit of an Australis haul and one of my items was the Lash TLC Conditioning Mascara. It took me a couple of goes before I was sure I liked this mascara but I do and I recommend it specifically for those who are looking for something suitable for sensitive eyes. Not only does this mascara not irritate during the day but it is also really easy to get off when you are ready for bed time. Retails for $14.95 AUD.

Lipstick/product: Again this is a bit of a tie, first we have Australis' Mint Condition Lip Gloss SPF30 in Meow With Your Mind. My god I love this gloss - the colour, finish, SPF, name - just everything. It's also only $8.95AUD as well. Secondly we have Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Coral Reef. I've heard people rave about this colour and you know what IT'S ALL TRUE. Just get it - even at Australian prices (I think about $20 AUD) it is worth it (I'm sorry I missed it from the photo above but I'll do a swatch post separately).

Skincare: I have been totally in love with L'oreal's Youth Code Super-Concentrated Serum which I have been using every morning and some nights as well. I just love the way this makes my skin feel and it is absorbed so quickly too. I picked mine up a few months ago when Priceline had the whole Youth Code skincare line on sale for $22 AUD.

Nail: Orly's Night Owl made it twice in a row on my nails. It seriously looks like nothing in the bottle but I just love it one. A NOTD is coming. Preeeeettttty!

Perfume: Giorgio Armani's Acqua di Gioia is a gorgeous perfume that I love wearing as the weather gets warmer. I have received so many compliments from people when I wear this fragrance and can often be found smelling myself when I wear it as well lol.

Other: Now that the weather is heating up again SPF is becoming a real concern as I realise I have done bugger all to get something sorted out since last summer. However there is one product that I have been relying on for years to keep me white and sunburn free and that is Banana Boat's Ultra Sunscreen in SPF30. I freaking love this stuff.
I was also lucky enough to be sent one of the new sunscreens in the BB range -Mineral Protect- kids with SPF30. This is a naturally based sunscreen with clear zinc. I used it on the weekend in a ridiculously hot day (35) in Adelaide and again it was a winner. A more in depth review of the BB sunscreens I have used and loved is coming.

Whew and we are done!

Have a great week everyone and thanks so much for still reading and commenting despite my irregular posts at the moment - that work/life balance is certainly a challenge at the moment for me.

Jac x

Disclaimer: I received the Banana Boat sunscreen from PR as mentioned above - everything else I bought myself, either way my opinions are always my own.