This Is The Glowiest Body Sunscreen I’ve Tried – & It’s On Sale

It’s hardly a secret that we here at Refinery29 love sunscreen. And while I usually reach for silky lotions and airy mists for everyday use, on days when I want to show off some skin, a tinted or shimmer-infused SPF lotion always does the trick. The only catch? Most formulas I’ve tried either transfer onto white clothing (bad news for my linen sundresses) or feel like I’m wearing a heavy layer of body makeup — not exactly the vibe during hot girl summer.  So when I got the chance to try Vacation’s new Orange Gelée SPF 30, I was immediately intrigued. The innovative gel formula has a sheer tangerine tint (don’t worry — it rubs in clear) suspended in a hydrating, balm-like base. It’s not meant to perfectly match your skin tone (unless you’re an Oompa Loompa), but rather give skin a warm, sun-kissed glow. It’s unlike any sunscreen I’ve tried before — which is why it just might become my new summer go-to.  DashDividers_1_500x100 What is Vacation’s Orange Gelée SPF 30, and what are the benefits?   Let’s start with the texture. Even though Vacation’s Orange Gelée SPF 30 is described as a “sunscreen gel,” I’d say it has more of a salve-like consistency than a true gel or jelly. While it goes on clear, it does leave behind a slick, slightly greasy finish that takes a little getting used to. Personally, I especially love the way it makes my legs look: subtly blurred and with a pop-star-like sheen. That said, if you’re applying it everywhere below the neck, give it a few minutes to fully absorb before getting dressed.  The formula relies on four popular chemical UV filters — avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene — for SPF 30 protection, but it also packs in a deeply moisturizing blend of ingredients you’d typically see from a rich body cream. Think emollient-rich shea butter alongside hydrating tamanu, coconut, jojoba, and maracuja oils, which help leave skin feeling soft, nourished, and gleaming.  DashDividers_1_500x100 What makes Vacation’s Orange Gelée SPF 30 special?   To fully understand Vacation Orange Gelée SPF 30, it helps to take a quick trip back in time. The year was 1970, and beachgoers everywhere were obsessed with Bain de Soleil Orange Gelée, an orange-tinted tanning balm famous for its sun-enhancing properties and luxurious balm-to-oil texture designed to intensify the sun’s rays for a deep, bronzed tan. (Different times, truly.) Add in the brand’s signature “French Riviera” scent — a heady blend of bergamot, clove, saffron, patchouli, and sandalwood — and it quickly became a cult favorite.  Vacation has always leaned into nostalgia (the retro typography and vintage-inspired campaign imagery says it all), so it makes perfect sense that the brand would be the one to revive Bain de Soleil for a new generation — this time with a much more modern, sun-safe POV in mind. While the updated formula nods to the original through details like the metal tube packaging, signature scent, and dewy finish, the addition of SPF 30 makes sense for a generation that takes sun safety seriously.  DashDividers_1_500x100 What to know about Vacation’s Orange Gelée SPF 30:   • Inspired by Bain de Soleil’s Orange Gelée  • Formulated with skincare ingredients like shea butter, tamanu, coconut, jojoba & maracuja oils •Has SPF 30 protection with chemical UV filters  DashDividers_1_500x100 How do you use Vacation’s Orange Gelée SPF 30, and is it worth it?  I’ll say it outright: The balm-to-oil texture of Vacation Orange Gelée SPF 30 won’t be for everyone. If a weightless, barely-there finish is non-negotiable for you, you’ll probably prefer the brand’s spray oil version instead. This isn’t the kind of sunscreen that disappears instantly into skin — but for me, that’s part of the appeal. My legs get especially dry and ashy in the summer, so I appreciated the extra hydration, which genuinely lasted all day. And, as mentioned above, the glossy glow certainly doesn’t hurt.  The formula squeezes out as an orange-tinted, semi-solid balm that melts into skin and rubs in mostly clear, leaving behind just a subtle warm tint. It creates a slight optical-blurring effect that helps soften the look of discoloration, visible veins, and even a bit of leg stubble. Per the recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation, I aim to use about one ounce (roughly a shot glass’ worth) of sunscreen to cover my entire body, which means the 3.12-ounce tube wouldn’t last particularly long if used H2T. Because of the richer texture and luminous finish, I found myself reaching for it mostly on my arms and legs, while opting for a lighter sunscreen on my neck, chest, shoulders, and other exposed areas. (As much as I love the idea of glowing from head to toe, my wallet does not.)  Yes, using two different sunscreens might sound a little extra, but it didn’t feel inconvenient in practice — nor did it add any extra time to my routine.  DashDividers_1_500x100 Where can you get Vacation’s