Consumer Reports says Avoid Spray Sunscreens - FDA and EWG Agree

Spray sunscreens are popular these days.  Just spray it on and go, right?  Well not so fast says Consumer Reports.  This advice actually echoes what other organizations and people like dermatologists, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and even the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) say.  It also dovetails with our article from a few weeks ago "What Sunscreens to Avoid: Sprays and Powders".

So why is Consumer Reports adding their thoughts to the issue? Well for one they say it's in response to the FDA's ongoing review of the safety of spray sunscreens.  They also add that inhaling sunscreen - particularly for kids as they tend to be less careful - can be dangerous to your lungs.  So with that said, here's a recap of why you want to avoid spray sunscreens:

1. May be Flammable - Yes, that's right, there have actually been cases where spray sunblocks lead to people being severely burned.  This is because some spray sunscreens contain flammable ingredients like alcohol (note, we don't make spray sunscreens and none of the ingredients in our sunscreens are flammable) and the FDA knows of 5 incidents where this happened after the sunscreen was applied.  For more check out the Food and Drug Administrations article "Use Sunscreen Spray? Avoid Open Flame".
2. Hard to Achieve Full Coverage - That nice cooling beach breeze, it makes applying spray sunscreens very difficult.  A lot of the sunscreen will simply blow away.  Plus, even if it doesn't Consumer Reports says it's hard to figure out if you put enough on.  The common advice is to spray it on your hands first and then use them to apply the sunblock to your body.
3. Inhaling Sunscreen is a No No - The EWG says this twice (here and here) and Consumer Reports does as well (here and here).  This is one of the big ones and is why the FDA put a stop on powdered sunscreens a few years back.  Make sure you only use cream / lotion based sunblock so there's no risk of inhalation.
4. More Likely to get in Your Eyes - This is based on our own experience.  We find spray sunscreens get into eyes easier because we forget to close them.  With kids this seems like it could be even more of an issue.
5. More Expensive - Consumer Reports adds that you'll likely spend more simply because a lot of the sunscreen will be lost to the wind.

So I hope I've convinced you to avoid spray sunscreens.  In a pinch they will do but if you have a choice, it's best to reach for the good ole bottle of the white stuff.  Also, be sure to check out Kelly's article on the issue, "What Sunscreens to Avoid: Sprays and Powders", if you haven't already.