Sun Bum Original Sunblock Review

Sun Bum Original bottle held above clear water with lotion rubbed into the back of the hand
It disappears into the skin almost completely, with none of the white cast the zinc based tubes leave behind. That texture is the reason it keeps selling.
Wet Sun Bum Original SPF 50 lotion bottle held up in front of choppy water
The label promises 80 minutes of water resistance and vitamin E. The first number is the one worth remembering before you rely on any lotion for a long swim.
Our tester holding the Sun Bum Original SPF 50 bottle while sitting beside a lake
Sun Bum is the default bottle in half the beach bags in the country, so it went through the same test day as the mineral tubes rather than getting a free pass.

Where to buy

$18.99
Buy now
$18.99
Buy now

The cool bottle design and sweet fruity smell invite everyone in and Sun Bum is a very popular, readily available sunscreen. Sun Bum Original is free of the notoriously reef-harmful chemicals, oxybenzone and octinoxate, and does pass the Hawaiin regulations, but it still contains some ingredients that could cause some harm to reefs. For a completely reef-safe option consider Sun Bum’s Mineral Sunscreen.

The four active (UV-blocking) ingredients: avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene, are proven to disrupt the coral reef ecosystem. They are also proven to absorb into the skin after one use, so this may not be a good daily sunscreen.

Sun Bum Original has a silky feel, a super easy rub in application, water resistance, and non-greasy feeling. The 80-minute water resistance stands true. Reapplication can be performed easily wet or dry.

Overall, this is a popular and traditional sunscreen. While we do not fully recommend this as a reef-safe sunscreen option, Sun Bum is taking steps to reformulate its sunscreens to make them more reef safe. For a completely reef safe Sun Bum sunscreen consider their Mineral Sunscreen.

Things we like:

  • The product is hypo-allergenic, gluten-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free
  • It has a pleasurable sweet smell
  • The application is marvaleous due to its easy rub-in and non-greasy feel
  • The bottle design is aesthetically enjoyable to touch or look at

Things we don't like:

  • Contains some harmful ingredients

Compare prices

2 retailers compared · Checked on October 31, 2026

Lowest price right now $18.99
Amazon logoAmazon
In stock
Prime: Same-Day to Two-Day on millions of items
$18.99
Buy now
Cabela’s logoCabela’s
In stock
Standard: 4–6 days; Express: 2; 1-Day: 1 day
$18.99
Buy now
We only list shops we would buy from ourselves This price grid only shows retailers we trust: shops we vet on returns, delivery, and what real customers say about them. All prices are checked daily. We earn a commission from some of the shops when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Amazon logo
DIVEIN's take
Why buy from Amazon?

Amazon has a documented Prime delivery program that covers millions of items, and that is the most concrete order-related support behind buying here.

Worth knowing

Some customers report slower replies or needing more follow-up than expected when they asked for help after ordering. If an order needs post-purchase support, that part of the experience is not always smooth.

Some customers also report delivery problems after ordering. That keeps follow-up and delivery as the areas to watch if you place the order here.

DIVEIN editorial team
Accepted payments
VISAAMEXDiscover

Checkout on amazon.com is served over a secure SSL (https) connection.

Shipping & returns
Free shipping on eligible orders meeting the minimum threshold. Ships from Amazon fulfillment centers or third-party sellers, depending on the listing; seller-shipped items may take longer. Most items sold on Amazon.com may be returned within 30 days of delivery; exceptions apply.
Visit Amazon
Cabela’s logo
DIVEIN's take
Why buy from Cabela's?

Cabela's ships orders from the US, and there is a documented return process for most purchases if something needs to go back.

The return route includes exchange and refund options, so there is a clear way to correct an order that is not right.

Worth knowing

Some buyers report slower replies or more follow-up than expected when they needed help after ordering. Allow a little extra time if you have a question about an order.

DIVEIN editorial team
Accepted payments
VISADiscoverAMEXUnionPay

Checkout on cabelas.com is served over a secure SSL (https) connection.

Shipping & returns
Standard shipping is $5 below $50 and free at $50+; oversize/hazardous charges may apply. Ships from US Eligible returns: most catalog or online purchases can be returned within 60 days with valid proof of purchase for an exchange or refund.
Visit Cabela’s

Specs & Features

SPFAvailable in SPF 30-70
Active ingredientChemically Based
Size & price8 fl oz for around $18
Water resistanceWater Resistant (80 Minutes)
ExtrasEnriched with Vitamin E

Compare prices

2 retailers compared · Checked on October 31, 2026

Lowest price right now $18.99
Amazon logoAmazon
In stock
Prime: Same-Day to Two-Day on millions of items
$18.99
Buy now
Cabela’s logoCabela’s
In stock
Standard: 4–6 days; Express: 2; 1-Day: 1 day
$18.99
Buy now
We only list shops we would buy from ourselves This price grid only shows retailers we trust: shops we vet on returns, delivery, and what real customers say about them. All prices are checked daily. We earn a commission from some of the shops when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Amazon logo
DIVEIN's take
Why buy from Amazon?

Amazon has a documented Prime delivery program that covers millions of items, and that is the most concrete order-related support behind buying here.

Worth knowing

Some customers report slower replies or needing more follow-up than expected when they asked for help after ordering. If an order needs post-purchase support, that part of the experience is not always smooth.

Some customers also report delivery problems after ordering. That keeps follow-up and delivery as the areas to watch if you place the order here.

DIVEIN editorial team
Accepted payments
VISAAMEXDiscover

Checkout on amazon.com is served over a secure SSL (https) connection.

Shipping & returns
Free shipping on eligible orders meeting the minimum threshold. Ships from Amazon fulfillment centers or third-party sellers, depending on the listing; seller-shipped items may take longer. Most items sold on Amazon.com may be returned within 30 days of delivery; exceptions apply.
Visit Amazon
Cabela’s logo
DIVEIN's take
Why buy from Cabela's?

Cabela's ships orders from the US, and there is a documented return process for most purchases if something needs to go back.

The return route includes exchange and refund options, so there is a clear way to correct an order that is not right.

Worth knowing

Some buyers report slower replies or more follow-up than expected when they needed help after ordering. Allow a little extra time if you have a question about an order.

DIVEIN editorial team
Accepted payments
VISADiscoverAMEXUnionPay

Checkout on cabelas.com is served over a secure SSL (https) connection.

Shipping & returns
Standard shipping is $5 below $50 and free at $50+; oversize/hazardous charges may apply. Ships from US Eligible returns: most catalog or online purchases can be returned within 60 days with valid proof of purchase for an exchange or refund.
Visit Cabela’s
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