Frequently Asked Questions

On average, Banana Boat® products with SPF remain effective for 3 years from the date of manufacture. Sunless tanning products are effective for 2 years. The date of manufacture can be found either on the bottom of the product or toward the bottom of the label.

DO:

Spray until you can see the product on your skin
Rub it in after spraying
Ask a friend to help with those hard-to-reach areas so you’re fully protected

DONT:

Apply in windy locations
Apply near open flames
Spray directly on face—instead, spray into your hand and gently rub it in

UVA is long-wavelength (320-400 nm) UV and accounts for up to 95 percent of the solar UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface, according to a press release from The Skin Cancer Foundation called “Shining Light on Ultraviolet Radiation.” UVA can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, and has for years been thought to play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling. Importantly, recent studies strongly suggest that it may also initiate and exacerbate the development of skin cancers. UVA rays are present during all daylight hours and throughout the winter months.

Although UVA rays are less intense than short wavelengths, (UVB) they are present all year round, and depending upon the time of the year, can be 30 to 50 times more prevalent than UVB rays. Furthermore, UVA radiation can penetrate glass and clouds. Thus, we are exposed to large doses of UVA throughout our lifetime. UVB is the middle range of UV with wavelengths between 290-320 nm. It is very biologically active and is responsible for burning, tanning, and acceleration of skin aging, and plays a very key role in the development of skin cancer. The intensity of UVB varies by season, location and time of day. The most significant amount of UVB hits the U.S. between 10am and 4pm between April and October.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. This is a multiplier that tells you how much longer you can remain in the sun without a burn when wearing a sunscreen. For instance, if you can usually tolerate the sun for 10 minutes without a burn, an SPF 15 will provide you with 15 times that, or 150 minutes of protection without burning. Regardless of the SPF level you use, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating to help keep your skin protected.

Everyday face lotions with SPF are great for your skin and provide protection against incidental sun exposure. For a day in the sun, look for a sunscreen with UVA & UVB protection and water-resistant protection. When used as directed, these products will provide broad-spectrum protection and will also protect you if you’ll be in and out of the water. If you’re going to be active, they will not “sweat off” your body.

You need to consider a number of factors. How long will you be out in the sun? What is the UV Index for the day? What time of the day will you be out and what will you be doing? And, most importantly, what is your skin type? Use the Banana Boat® SPF Guide to find out what products are right for you. Regardless of the SPF level you use, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating to help keep your skin protected.

SPF numbers don’t add up the way you might think. Using an SPF 8 and SPF 15 together won’t allow you to remain in the sun 23 times longer than without protection. It’s not an additive. You need to determine how long you’ll be in the sun, along with your skin type, and choose the appropriate SPF level for you.

For fair and very fair-skinned people, an SPF 15, and in many instances an SPF 30, does not provide enough protection on a very sunny day in the summer, especially in southern portions of the U.S.—and remember, the longer you’re in the sun, the higher SPF level you need. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen with you on all-day outdoor activities so that you can reapply.

The reaction of our skin to sun, either burning or tanning, is based on genetics—we inherit our ability to tan or burn. In general, fair-skinned people often burn and are rarely able to tan. Darker skin, with its increased melanin, has more natural protection, but no one is immune to sun damage. To find out which SPF is right for you, use the Banana Boat® brand SPF Guide.

We offer a broad range of sun care products with varying SPF levels to suit consumers’ different preferences, and we encourage consumers to select the appropriate sunscreen for their skin type, activity level and exposure need. Our sunscreens with SPF levels below 15 are labeled to alert consumers that the products have not been shown to be effective in preventing skin cancer or early aging. Our products with SPF 15 or higher are recommended for everyday sun protection whereas SPF 30 or higher are recommended for extended sun exposure.

Just because you eventually tan, it doesn’t mean you don’t need protection. Rather, make sun products with an SPF 15 (or SPF 30) part of your daily routine. Try Banana Boat® Sport Performance Sunscreen SPF 15 and SPF 30 Clear Spray.

Yes, but most fair-skinned folks burn their way to a tan—which puts them at a much greater risk for skin cancer. If the idea of remaining a whiter shade of pale all summer makes you sad, self-tanners can safely put a smile on your face … not to mention a healthy glow all over your body. Try Banana Boat® Summer Color® Self-Tanning Light/Medium color lotion. But remember, with a sunless tan, you still need to use sun protection when you go outside!

Photosensitization, an increased sensitivity to sun exposure, is a possible side effect of certain medication, including certain kinds of antibiotics, heart and blood pressure medicines, antihistamines and antidepressants. Consult your physician or pharmacist regarding photosensitization related to any prescription medications.

The redness associated with sunburns can take up to 24 hours to show. If you are outside and your skin begins to turn red, get out of the sun—you may already have a sunburn. Products such as Banana Boat® Aloe After Sun Gel and Banana Boat® Aloe After Sun Lotion can help soothe sunburned skin and help minimize peeling.

Our testing protocol tests our product and packaging (including transparent packaging) at elevated temperatures and sun light to confirm efficacy and durability. It is best to store products at room temperature, but they can tolerate increased temperatures when exposed.

While we have never done testing with regards to DHA and tattoo ink, we believe there would be no interaction. However, we suggest trying a test spot on a small section of the tattoo first. The color produced by the sunless tanner may affect the appearance of tattoo, especially if the tattoo is a lighter color. If it does affect the appearance, the good thing is that the sunless is only a temporary color on the top layer of the skin so it will fade, tattoo ink is more permanent since the ink is down in the lower levels of the skin.

As a general rule, sunscreen always goes on first. The reason is that the sunscreen has to bind with the skin to make absorb or block the sun's rays. So, sunscreen first, and make-up second—even if your moisturizer has an SPF in it.

Yes, but we formulate our products with kids’ and babies’ or adults’ unique needs in mind, and so it’s important to carefully consider the formulation when selecting sun care products for you and your family. For instance, we know that parents look for gentle products for their children, and so we offer specially formulated, tear-free and sting-free kids and baby products that are also alcohol-free and milder on the skin than our adult products.

While the components of our bottles and cans of Banana Boat® sunscreens are recyclable in many areas, it is always recommended that consumers research the recycling rules in their local municipalities, since recycler requirements can vary. Some materials may be required to be emptied of the contents and/or separated prior to placing in recycle bins.

Experts agree that for sunscreen to deliver the benefits stated on the package, the sunscreen should be used within three years of the manufacture date and applied as directed on package.

If your skin appearance is too orangey or dark, try speeding the fading process by using an exfoliating scrub or cloth. If your skin is streaky, be sure to exfoliate and moisturize BEFORE applying the sunless tan for a more even appearance.

Please click the link to see of our products that are formulated without oxybenzone and octinoxate. All Banana Boat products with an SPF level less than 100 do not contain those ingredients.

The ingredients in our products are disclosed on the labels using ingredient names assigned by experts and recognized by governments around the world. We do not add to our products common food allergens such as tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, dairy or gluten. Nonetheless, we recommend that consumers always read the label and check the list of ingredients. We also suggest consumers carefully test the product before use or consult their physician in advance if concerned about the possibility of sensitivity to certain ingredients.

- All of our sun care products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they are appropriately labeled and meet all relevant FDA regulations, including the required FDA tests.

- The FDA governs various aspects of product testing, ingredient use, quality requirements, packaging and labelling so that it can ensure all products meet safety and quality requirements before reaching consumers. All Banana Boat® products meet applicable FDA regulations for sunscreens, which are some of the strictest in the world.

- In addition to our formal in-house quality review and verification of every product lot to ensure quality before distribution, we also have qualified independent laboratories conduct claims and safety tests for all our product formulas to ensure they meet all FDA requirements.

- Every Banana Boat® brand sunscreen product is evaluated and approved for safety and quality before it is placed in the market.