I bought the Sun Bum Tanning Oil because I wanted that smooth, glossy skin you get from a good tanning oil without completely skipping sun protection. The spray bottle immediately made it more appealing than the thick tanning products I have tried before, and I liked the idea of getting a deeper tan while keeping my skin moisturised.
After using it, I understood why this product gets so much attention. It feels good on the skin, smells very tropical, and gives the skin that shiny, moisturised look that makes you feel like you are actually on vacation. But there is one thing I kept coming back to: SPF 15 is not much protection when the entire purpose of the product is to encourage you to spend time tanning in the sun.
Key Takeaways
- Lightweight oil that sprays directly onto the skin.
- Gives the skin a glossy, moisturized finish.
- Has a strong tropical coconut-style fragrance.
- Contains SPF 15 broad-spectrum protection.
- Includes oils such as coconut, argan, avocado, jojoba, almond, marula and others.
- It is a tanning accelerator, not a self-tanner.
- You still need actual sun exposure to develop a tan.
- The oil can leave the skin quite shiny and oily.
- SPF 15 feels inadequate if you are spending extended periods in strong sunlight.
- I liked the application and feel more than I liked the idea of relying on it as my main sun protection.
What Is Sun Bum Tanning Oil?
Sun Bum SPF 15 Tanning Oil is a broad-spectrum tanning oil designed to help you develop a golden tan while providing SPF 15 protection. The current formula uses avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene as its active sunscreen ingredients.
It also contains a long list of conditioning oils, including coconut, argan, avocado, jojoba, sweet almond, sunflower, macadamia, olive, rosehip and marula oils, along with aloe and cocoa butter.
One thing I had to make clear to myself before using it is that this is not a self-tanner. It does not give you a fake tan while sitting indoors. The tanning effect comes from UV exposure, which is exactly why I think the SPF issue deserves attention.
Why I Tried It
I wanted something that would make tanning easier and leave my skin looking moisturised instead of dry and dull. I also liked the idea of an oil because I prefer products that spread easily over larger areas of skin. Having to work a thick lotion into my arms and legs when I am trying to get ready for the sun can feel like unnecessary work.
The spray format was another reason I picked it. I could apply the oil fairly quickly, rub it in and get on with the rest of my routine. And yes, part of the appeal was simply wanting that glossy, bronzed-looking skin that tanning oils are known for.
My Experience With Sun Bum Tanning Oil
The first thing I noticed was how easy it was to apply. The spray makes it much easier to cover larger areas than a thick cream, and the oil spreads across the skin without requiring a lot of rubbing. My skin immediately looked shiny and moisturized, which I actually liked. It gives that very obvious tanning-oil appearance where your skin looks smooth and glossy instead of dry.
The fragrance is also difficult to miss. It has that sweet tropical sunscreen smell that immediately makes me think of beaches and holidays. I liked it, although I can see it becoming too much if you prefer fragrance-free skincare.
The oil itself is not completely weightless, though. It is still an oil, so there is a noticeable layer sitting on the skin. I did not mind that while I was deliberately tanning, but it is not the kind of product I would put on and then immediately forget about. You can feel it. And if you are someone who hates having anything greasy on your skin, I don’t think the word “oil” is being used loosely here. It really does leave a slick, glossy finish.
As for the tanning itself, this is where I had to adjust my expectations. The product does not magically create a tan. You still need to spend time in the sun, and how much color you develop depends on your skin, how much UV exposure you get and how your skin naturally responds.
I liked the way the oil made my skin look while I was outside, but I would not confuse that immediate glow with an actual tan. Some of what you see immediately is simply the oil giving the skin a darker, shinier appearance.
The bigger issue for me was the SPF. SPF 15 sounds better than having absolutely no sunscreen in a tanning oil, and technically it provides broad-spectrum protection. Sun Bum also describes the product as water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. But when I am deliberately spending extended time in the sun, SPF 15 feels low.
That became the part of the product I liked least. I don’t want to encourage myself to stay outside longer simply because I have applied a tanning oil and then assume the SPF means I am adequately protected. The product itself says it should not be treated as a replacement for sunscreen, and I think that is worth taking seriously.
So while I liked using the oil, I would not treat it as my only sun-protection product.
Let’s Look at the Listed Ingredients
The formula is basically an oil-heavy moisturizing base combined with sunscreen filters. Mineral oil comes first among the inactive ingredients, followed by aloe, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, linseed oil, avocado oil, argan oil, macadamia oil, olive oil, rosehip oil, camellia oil, cocoa butter, green tea and marula oil. Fragrance is also included.
I actually like the ingredient profile from a moisturization standpoint. There are plenty of emollient oils here, so it makes sense that the skin feels soft and looks glossy after application. The sweet almond oil is worth pointing out if you have a nut allergy because Sun Bum specifically includes a nut-allergy warning for this product.
The fragrance is also fairly prominent, so this would not be my first choice for someone who prefers very simple, fragrance-free body products.
What I Loved
- The spray application is convenient.
- It spreads easily over the body.
- Leaves the skin very soft and glossy.
- The tropical fragrance fits the whole tanning experience.
- Contains several moisturizing oils.
- Provides broad-spectrum SPF 15 rather than having no SPF at all.
- Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
- The bottle is much easier to use than a thick tanning cream.
What I Didn’t Love
- SPF 15 is low for extended sun exposure.
- It is definitely oily rather than merely “hydrating.”
- The fragrance may be too strong for some people.
- It does not self-tan.
- You still need actual UV exposure to develop a tan.
- The glossy finish can transfer onto things you touch.
- It can make you feel more protected than you actually are if you treat SPF 15 as sufficient protection for prolonged sun exposure.
Sun Bum Tanning Oil Claims vs Reality
Claim: Get a golden tan while protecting your skin.
Reality: It does provide SPF 15 broad-spectrum protection, but SPF 15 is still relatively low. I would not use that as an excuse to stay in the sun for longer periods.
Claim: Moisturizing tanning oil.
Reality: Yes. This is one of the areas where the product delivers. My skin feels soft and looks noticeably more moisturized after using it.
Claim: Helps accelerate tanning.
Reality: It is a tanning accelerator, not a self-tanner. You still need UV exposure for the tanning effect, so it is not going to give you a tan while sitting indoors.
Claim: Silky, smooth skin.
Reality: I agree with this one. The oil leaves a very noticeable glossy finish, although whether you consider that silky or greasy depends on how much you like oil on your skin.
Is Sun Bum Tanning Oil Worth the Price?
For the application and moisturising effect, I think it is a nice tanning oil. For sun protection alone, I would not buy it expecting SPF 15 to do all the work.
That distinction is important because I like the product as a tanning oil much more than I like the idea of using it as my primary sunscreen. If I am going to spend significant time outdoors, I would rather have stronger broad-spectrum protection and use the tanning oil as an additional product rather than making the tanning oil the foundation of my sun-protection routine.
Who I Think Will Love It
I think this will suit you if you:
- Like tanning oils.
- Want a glossy finish.
- Prefer spray application.
- Like strongly scented tropical sunscreen products.
- Want moisturized-looking skin while tanning.
- Understand that it is not a self-tanner.
- Are willing to use appropriate additional sun protection.
Who Should Skip It
I would skip it if you:
- Hate oily or glossy body products.
- Want a completely fragrance-free formula.
- Want a self-tanner that works without sun exposure.
- Expect SPF 15 to be enough for prolonged intense sun exposure.
- Have an allergy concern involving sweet almond oil.
- Are specifically looking for high-SPF sun protection.
Alternatives
- Sun Bum SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion
- Sun Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
- Australian Gold Botanical SPF 50 Lotion
Conclusion
I liked Sun Bum Tanning Oil more than I expected. The spray application is convenient, the oil leaves my skin soft and glossy, and the tropical fragrance fits exactly what I expect from a tanning product. But I would not let the SPF 15 label give me a false sense of security.
This is a tanning accelerator that happens to contain sunscreen, not a high-protection sunscreen that happens to give you a tan. That distinction matters because the product still requires UV exposure to produce its tanning effect.
For me, the oil is enjoyable as part of a tanning routine, but I would use stronger sun protection alongside it rather than relying on SPF 15 alone.
Would I buy it again?
Yes, if I specifically wanted a tanning oil. I would just treat it as a tanning product rather than my main sunscreen.
Would I recommend it?
Yes, with that same qualification. If you want a moisturizing, glossy tanning oil with SPF, it does what it is designed to do. If your priority is strong sun protection, I would choose a higher-SPF product instead.
Also read my similar review of the Bronzii Tanning Gummies