I Tried Every Formula by This Viral Sunscreen Brand—Here Are the Best Ones

We all know we are supposed to wear sunscreen daily and reapply every two hours—so what’s stopping us? Let me go first—greasy formulas, bad smells, and the dreaded white cast.

The reality is that sunscreen is only effective when people are willing to use it, and Vacation is one of those brands that understands the principle. They’ve created a whole line of viral sunscreens coming in novelty formulas like whipped cream and orange gelée, all with eye-catching packaging and irresistible smells (they’ve even launched a perfume). If you’ve ever walked past their display in Target and wondered if they’re actually worth the money, let me tell you, they are. As someone who lives next to the beach, I’ve tried nearly every sunscreen from Vacation—here are the products that made me a believer.

Vacation Shimmer Oil SPF 30

$38 at Ulta $38 at Dermstore $38 at Vacation.inc

This is my favorite sunscreen from Vacation—hands down. Recently, I’ve been reaching for sunscreen oils during pool days or whenever I want to lend my skin a sexy sheen. I always feel more confident in a swimsuit when I have a good tan, and the fine gold flecks in this formula give me a glow even when I’ve forgotten to apply self-tanner. Compared to the brand’s Chardonnay Oil, the shimmer oil is less runny, so it’s less messy and stains clothes less easily. The packaging feels more luxe—hello beautiful golden cap—and it’s more secure. While the Chardonnay Oil has leaked plenty in my beach bag, the shimmer oil stays secure thanks to the pump bottle, even when I’ve taken it on road trips and flights. The blend of coconut, jojoba, marula, and argan oils leaves my skin soft and, of course, smelling like a luxurious tropical vacation. While $38 might seem like a lot for a sunscreen, it’s the one I keep buying because I actually love using it and happily reapply.

Vacation Classic Whip SPF 30

$22 at Ulta $22 at Target $22 at Nordstrom

Not going to lie—I’m not a big fan of lotion sunscreens for the body. All too often, they are too thick, hard to spread, sticky, and leave me looking paler, which is the last thing I want on a beach day. That’s why I find this whipped cream sunscreen genius. Just like Reddi-wip, the mousse melts into your skin, allowing it to spread easily and quickly. It dries invisible and leaves a nice matte finish, perfect for those occasions where you don’t want to be an oil slick. Though I don’t have children, I can imagine this is a great way to get kids excited about applying sunscreen. I never thought I would be applying whipped cream sunscreen all over my body, but I have to admit, I love it.

Vacation Super Spritz SPF 50

$24 at Amazon $22 at Ulta $22 at Dermstore

One of the main reasons I avoid reapplying sunscreen, even though I know I should, is that I don’t want to stain my clothing when I’m already dressed. We’ve all done it, carefully spreading sunscreen around our collar and shoulders only to leave a white stain. Super spritz to the rescue. This setting spray dries clear and is perfectly small enough to fit in my purse for touchups when traveling or running errands. I take it with me everywhere and reapply it on my face, neck, chest, and even my hands, which honestly need the most protection. With a blend of antioxidants like green tea, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, this spray offers more than just SPF to fight free radicals and premature aging.

Vacation Classic Sunscreen Spray

$19 at Ulta $19 at Nordstrom $19 at Revolve

Though some people avoid spray sunscreens, I always bring them to the beach because I absolutely despise rubbing in a lotion and feeling like I’m getting a salt scrub from the sand. This one is refreshing to apply thanks to its blend of aloe vera, vitamin E, and coconut oil. It leaves a light sheen without feeling too greasy or sticky, and the fruity scent brings me back to childhood vacations at the water park and the lake. Thanks to the nozzle, I can apply it upside down, which is a must when getting your back or shoulders by yourself. It’s got all angles covered.