The sunscreen game has come a long way. Now, there are elegant, easy-to-use formulas like sprays, body oils, and lightweight lotions—many of which have bonus skincare benefits in addition to sun protection.
So which one should you use? Well, experts agree that the best SPF is the one you actually want to wear every day. Two formulas that fit the bill? Our Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Oil, which is amazing for dry skin, and our Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Spray, which is refreshing and ultra-convenient. Ahead, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about these two sunscreens.
SPF Spray: The Features and Benefits
Sunscreen spray is a type of SPF that you, well, spray onto your body, making it super-easy to apply and reapply. Our Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Spray is a continuous-spray, non-greasy formula that’s water-resistant for up to 40 minutes. It also features UVA/UVB broad spectrum protection, and it is oxybenzone- and octinoxate-free.
Here’s what makes this sunscreen a fan-favorite: It provides a cooling sensation as you spray it on and leaves a gorgeous, natural sheen that looks beautiful on all skin tones. As a bonus, it helps to brighten and even skin tone thanks to vitamin C-rich pitanga extract and niacinamide. Finally, it features our Cheirosa 87 scent, with beachy & nostalgic notes of solar tuberose and leite de coco. Who’s ready to get misting?
How To Use SPF Spray
One thing that makes Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Spray a must-have for summer (and the rest of the year, tbh) is that it’s so easy to apply on the go. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your bottle:
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Shake well before use and apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure.
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Mist evenly onto skin, holding the bottle four to six inches away for the best coverage. Then, massage it in so you don’t miss any spots!
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Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Spray is water-resistant up to 40 minutes, so be sure to reapply at least every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
SPF Oil: The Features and Benefits
An SPF oil, on the other hand, is essentially a body care-infused oil with significant sun protection. Let’s clarify something right away: SPF oil is not the same thing as tanning oil. Tanning oil does the opposite—stimulating melanin production in the skin, a.k.a. causing UV damage. Even if a tanning oil says it has a small amount of SPF, it still isn’t enough to protect your skin in a meaningful way (the American Academy of Dermatology recommends a minimum of SPF 30).
If you want a SPF oil, try our Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Oil, which not only has SPF 50 broad-spectrum protection, but is also water-resistant for up to 40 minutes. And unlike other oils you may have tried, the non-greasy dry oil formula feels amazing on skin. It’s made with nourishing patauá oil as well as pongamia seed extract, which helps protect skin from environmental aggressors. As a finishing touch, it has golden mica, which instantly adds a gorgeous shimmer that looks beautiful on all skin tones.
How To Use SPF Oil
With its high SPF, nourishing formula, and golden glow, Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Oil is a warm-weather must-have. Here’s how to use it:
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Shake well before use and apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure.
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Mist evenly onto skin, holding the bottle four to six inches away and massage all over so you don’t miss any spots.
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Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Oil is water-resistant up to 40 minutes, but be sure to reapply at least every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
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Pro tip: You can apply it as a daily body oil for both skin nourishment and added glow—sun optional.
The Differences Between SPF Spray and Oil
Now that you have the full breakdown of our Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Spray and SPF 50 Body Oil, it’s time for a little compare and contrast to help you pick which one is right for you.
Formula: Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Spray is a continuous-spray body sunscreen with refreshing coconut water for an instant cooling sensation. Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Oil is a nourishing, non-greasy dry oil with golden mica that lends a gorgeous shimmer to all skin tones.
SPF: Both formulas have broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 50 sun protection and are water-resistant up to 40 minutes.
Application: Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Spray is a continuous spray, so it’s convenient to apply and reapply at the beach or pool. Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Oil is applied one spray at a time so you have extra control when and where it’s applied onto your skin.
Finish: Both sunscreens are designed to look gorgeous on all skin tones. Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Spray leaves a natural sheen. Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Oil has golden mica in the formula to give skin a beachy shimmer on contact.
Fragrance: Both formulas feature our beachy and nostalgic Cheirosa 87 scent, featuring notes of…
Top: Leite de Coco, Warm Sand
Mid: Solar Tuberose, Ylang Ylang
Dry: Creamy Vanilla, Amber Essence
Sun Care Recommendations and Tips
Been burned before, so to speak, by tanning oil? We hear you. But don’t worry: sunscreen oils are perfectly safe to use. “They’re great for protecting your skin but usually have a moisturizing component, are easy to spread, and have a lighter texture than creams or lotions," board-certified dermatologist Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, tells Byrdie. "It also typically gives a glowy, glazed look to the skin after application." And rest assured, Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Oil doesn’t contain mineral oil, the main ingredient in tanning oil.
The main thing to remember with SPF oil, as with any sunscreen, is that you apply it correctly and often. And a formula that doubles as body care is always an added bonus. "I like looking for hydrating ingredients in my sunscreen oil for dual benefits, as well as antioxidants to help fight environmental aggressors,” Zubritzky tells Byrdie. And again, Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Oil fits the bill, as it contains nourishing patauá oil, as well as antioxidant-rich pongamia seed extract.
When it comes to your spray sunscreen, it’s just as important to apply correctly. “Dermatologists recommend spraying until your skin glistens,” according to the American Academy of Dermatologists website. Then, be sure to massage it into the skin thoroughly so you don’t miss any spots. Now you have the full breakdown of the Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Spray and Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Body Oil. Both formulas are suitable for all skin types, feature broad-spectrum sun protection, and come in our Cheirosa 87 scent, so you really can’t go wrong. Can’t decide? Our Rio Radiance™ SPF 50 Travel Duo has travel sizes of both sunscreens, so you can bring them on your next vacation, or simply test them out!
