Gear test: 5 supercharged sunscreens - Off Duty, Military Health and Fitness - Air Force Times

Gear test: 5 supercharged sunscreens

Many of the newest sunscreens offer protection from both types of ultraviolet rays known to damage skin, UVA and UVB. We put five to the test to give you an idea what to expect:

Aveeno Active Naturals Sunblock Lotion

How it works: This “Continuous Protection” lotion includes natural proteins and antioxidants to help moisturize and shield skin from the elements. The company’s “Active Photobarrier Complex” maintains broad-spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays. Claims to retain SPF after 80 minutes of water activity or sweating, one of the few products we found that noted a specific time limit on the package.

How it did: While it took what seemed like a lot of sunscreen to cover all the areas that needed covering, this one had one of the lowest grease factors of those we tested. It’s not billed as sweat-proof, though, for good reason. We found that it started to sweat off about 30 minutes into a two-hour morning PT session.

SPF: 30, 45, 55

Size, price: 3-ounce tube, $9.99

Coppertone Sport Continuous Spray

How it works: Breathable sunscreen in a clear, no-rub mist that goes on even and dries quick. Sprays at any angle, eliminating the awkwardness of asking a buddy to hit your back. Promises to retain SPF through 80 minutes of water activity or sweating, and protects against broad-spectrum UVA/UVB rays.

How it did: The any-angle spray can was great for hitting those hard-to-reach but easy-to-burn places, but the “no rub” billing isn’t quite true if you’re hairy like the werewolf of London. You might need to rub in the spray that condenses on the hair. But once applied, it’s a prizefighter, living up to its “ultrasweatproof” billing during a sticky Saturday morning run.

SPF: 15, 30 and 50

Price, size: 6-ounce can, $10.99

Banana Boat SunWear Faces

How it works: Similar to the Aveeno product, this oil-free “daily sunblock lotion” promises to moisturize while it protects. Uses the company’s patented new “AvoTriplex” technology to provide broad-spectrum protection from UVA/UVB rays.

How it did: Went on clean, smooth and refreshing, more closely resembling a basic moisturizer than any other sunscreen we tried. We could see rubbing it on after a shave in the morning, but the price/size prohibits making it your all-over beach block. Perhaps that’s why they call it “Faces.”

SPF: 30

Size, price: 3-ounce tube, $8.99

Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Sunblock Gel

How it works: Made with Neutrogena’s patented helioplex formula to offer protection against broad spectrum UVA and UVB rays.

How it did: We liked the idea of a sweat-proof gel sunscreen, but it doesn’t work quite as well as it sounds. It’s easy to apply, dries quickly and doesn’t leave you feeling greasy, but it started to sweat off not long into a hot and muggy 10-mile run along the C&O Canal towpath in Washington, D.C. This one’s best for low-intensity activities.

SPF: 30 and 45

Size, price: 4-ounce tube, $11.29

Bull Frog Mosquito Coast

How it works: Two squirts for the price of one, as the sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays and the added insect repellent keeps the pests away. It’s DEET-free, in case you worry about that sort of thing, drawing its bug juice from IR3535 — a European bug-off that made its way to the U.S. in 1999 and has slowly grown in popularity.

How it did: The product claims to repel pests for up to eight hours, but we didn’t sit in the swamp all day to find out — the 20-year history of success in Europe (according to the Environmental Protection Agency) was good enough for us. The spray dried quick and stayed on, two things we like in our goops.

SPF: 30

Size, price: 4.7-ounce squirt bottle, $9.99