It’s probably safe to assume that you’ve heard of Vacation by now. This sun protection business, which originally started as a retro internet radio station, has been gaining a following online with the debut of its vintage-esque SPF creams and merchandise this summer. Within days, the brand’s Classic Lotion, with its amazing Miami Beach fragrance and being called “the world’s best-smelling sunscreen” (they’re not lying), became one of the trendiest beauty items. Having already conquered Instagram with its previous most “over the top” release, the company is about to do it again with its latest addition: the Chardonnay Oil SPF 30.
Do you want some? Here’s wishing you success: the first queue has more than 1,700 names on it. According to the company, the Chardonnay Oil, “the world’s most delicious sunscreen,” features premium ingredients, a luxurious texture, and an intoxicating scent. But is all of it just hype? Has the world of SPF finally been given the holy grail of sunscreens it so desperately needs? I was fortunate enough to obtain a sample before the launch, so of course, I put it to the test as any good editor would. We’ve gathered all the details about the world’s most discussed SPF here.
Vacation Chardonnay Oil Overview
Pros
- Not heavy and oily texture
- Keeps skin hydrated and healthy.
- complete SPF 30 coverage
- Gives the skin a healthy shine
- delicate, warm, tropical fragrance
Cons
- frustrating to apply
- Not water-proof
The various ingredients.
So, what kind of wine is actually in the sunscreen? Both yes and no. This luxury oil (which is animal-free and vegan) is obtained from a delicious combination of nutrient-rich oils, with chardonnay grape seed oil being the most prominent of them. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and according to the company, “delivers outstanding shine,” which is something I’ll never say no to, as someone with dry skin (give me that glow). Marula and passion fruit oil both help maintain and build the skin barrier, while bisabolol, a calming ingredient derived from German chamomile, is included to help alleviate the skin irritation that comes from being in the sun.
Also, regarding SPF protection, the Chardonnay Oil is very unlike those ancient oil-based sunscreens you remember from your youth—you know, the highly perfumed, SPF 8 or less concoctions that used to dominate the market. It is a chemical sunscreen (broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen actives, to be specific) that’s been created with Dr. Elizabeth Hale, the brand’s Chief Medical Advisor and Vice President of the Skin Cancer Foundation, in mind.
While any sunscreen will need to be reapplied after becoming wet or after two hours, this brand strongly suggests that its formula be used again if one plans to be out in the sun for an extended period of time. On the rear of the container, it even states when it swims or sweats that the oil is waterproof and can rinse off, therefore making your skin susceptible to damaging sunlight.
Feelings.
I absolutely love using this SPF. The opaque composition features a combination of thick moisturizers, but it is surprisingly lightweight. This quickly absorbs into your skin before drying to a shiny, silky texture. I would’ve forgotten I was using sunscreen at all if it weren’t for the oil’s delicious smell (which I’ll describe more below); you won’t find any oiliness, stickiness, or white cast visible to the naked eye with an SPF rating of o.
The Scent
It’s a total rush. Vacation’s Grand Cru ’86 perfume blends a mix of older and newer aspects of the SPF world together, being a combination that they’ve crafted themselves, which they describe as being a representation of the “undeniable delight of opening open a bottle of champagne.” If you’re getting boozy vibes from this, don’t fret. This one’s like a vacation in a bottle, but in a refined and elegant sense, since it smells like a tropical beach getaway with undertones of coconut, banana, and vanilla. This smell transports you to your beachside paradise, which makes it even more addictive. If Vacation’s goal was to create a cologne with this smell, I’d be down for that.
The findings
Regarding my skin
It goes without saying that my daily skincare routine is incomplete without SPF—it’s a must, since I’m a light-skinned people who suffer from rosacea. It feels like I can’t look at the sun without a burn forming, no matter how light. However, despite its importance to my safety (according to the American Cancer Society, 5.4 million cases of skin cancer are detected each year in the U.S.), I’ve never seen it as anything other than something important or even fun. Because chemical sunscreen formulations (especially) are known to cause irritation on my delicate, dry skin, I feel particularly compelled to protect myself. Thus, I concentrated on applying it just to my body, although it could also be used on my face. However, my skin chose to act strange, so I opted to focus only on applying it to my body.
My views on the product
Chardonnay Oil delivers on its reputation. For one thing, the smooth application and wear are wonderful. I massaged the oil onto my skin after my shower, and I noticed how nourishing and moisturizing it felt. While I’m generally a fan of moisturizing my dry skin with additional body lotion, the oil made my skin feel so soft and supple that I opted to forgo my regular routine. I could even get dressed immediately, which was a major plus when I lived in the East Coast heat.
When I exited the building, I was astounded by the formula’s brilliance. Although the oil is plain, it gives my complexion a boost of healthy, glowing brightness that looks fantastic. Besides providing great-smelling body care, the enticing scent also meant I was more eager to reapply it throughout the day just because I loved thinking I was walking along a secluded beach instead of a bustling city sidewalk.
The SPF Factor attribute
I made sure to put on sunscreen for protection throughout the day (and was cautious about spending time in the park and wandering about the city). This implies, in addition to the brand’s recommended reapplication every two hours, using the oil more often. However, I would definitely heed the advice of the manufacturer and apply it to my future beach trip: to guarantee the Chardonnay Oil lasts for a long day on the beach, I would make sure to apply a more water-resistant lotion. When it comes to a daily sunscreen that will provide a glowing finish, this one is ideal.
My New Holy Grail: Final Verdict
Is Vacation’s Chardonnay Oil, which boasts of being “the world’s most luxurious sunscreen,” really as wonderful as advertised? It’s a deal. Considering my skin’s typically dry and sunburn-prone condition, there’s nothing more lavish than shielding my limbs from dangerous sun rays while moisturizing my skin and providing it with a healthy glow. Though I don’t anticipate applying this to my face anytime soon, it has become my body product of choice in these closing days of summer, having replaced both my SPF creams and lotions in my daily rotation. If this is what the future of tanning oils is like, I’m ready to buy-in.