I’ve tested a lot of high-tech beauty tools, but sometimes it’s the simplest ones — like the Solar Buddies sunscreen applicator — that end up being the most valuable. Slathering on sunscreen lotion is necessary when you want to spend the day in the sun without getting a burn, but it’ll leave you with greasy hands and a sticky feeling. This $16 travel-sized sunscreen accessory solves that problem and more.
This tool makes applying sunscreen lotion easy and mess-free. A sponge top and roller ball help distribute the sunscreen over your skin, so you don’t have to get your hands greasy or spend extra time rubbing the lotion in.
How I found the Solar Buddies sunscreen applicator
I wish I could take the credit for discovering this nifty tool, but our social media team beat me to it. They posted a TikTok of Solar Buddies in action last month, and I was immediately intrigued. I wear sunscreen on my face everyday, but I’m not as diligent when it comes to applying SPF on my body. I don’t have a deck or outdoor space at my apartment where I can apply a sunscreen spray (my preferred type of body sunscreen), so I have to use a sunscreen lotion. There’s no getting around the fact that it’s thick and greasy, requiring time to rub in. So when I saw how seamlessly the Solar Buddies applicator rolls on the lotion, essentially turning it into a sunscreen stick, it looked promising.
I ordered it with Amazon Prime so it would arrive just in time for a family trip to Connecticut, where I’d be spending a lot of time outdoors and could really put it to the test.
Why the Solar Buddies sunscreen applicator is a score
It only took one use for me to become a Solar Buddies stan. The tool is cute and easy to use, making the task of applying sunscreen just as fun as it is important. It’s a travel-friendly size and holds up to 3.4 ounces, so it’s TSA approved. (Although, my only qualm with the product is that a little goo did leak out the side when it had been resting sideways in my bag.) It’s comprised of three main components — the lid, applicator head and reservoir — and is ready to use in three quick steps. Unscrew the yellow reservoir from the applicator, and squeeze in your sunscreen lotion of choice. Once you’ve filled up the reservoir, you can screw the applicator back on. Then pop off the cap and you’re ready to go!
I filled mine up with the Sol de Janeiro Rio Radiance SPF 50 Body Lotion Sunscreen. I chose this particular sunscreen for two reasons: It’s a mineral formula, which are known to leave a white cast and take more time to rub in, and it’s one of the thickest sunscreen lotions I own. With these factors in mind, I wanted to see if the Solar Buddies applicator was up to the challenge.
Solar Buddies sunscreen applicator
The first time I used the Solar Buddies applicator, it took several swipes for the roller ball to get primed with enough lotion to apply. Once it got going, it dispensed just enough sunscreen for coverage, saving me from accidentally overapplying. There wasn’t a thick, greasy feeling on my skin, and in the spots where there was more lotion that needed to be rubbed in, I used less pressure on the applicator to only use the sponge part to blend it out. I was able to cover all the parts of my body I’d be able to reach with just my hands, and I enlisted the help of a family member to cover my back. During the whole process my hands stayed dry and lotion-free. It also felt like it took less time than having to rub in the pasty lotion with my hands alone.
The tool is simple to use, and that’s the point. It has a kid-friendly design so the whole family can stay protected too. Instead of dealing with two hands full of sunscreen and a squirmy child, you can use this tool to swipe on the sunscreen quickly. You might even convince them it’s so fun to use that they’ll do it for themselves. It comes in a handful of bright colors so you can have the kiddo pick their favorite.
The last thing I appreciate about Solar Buddies is that it has sustainability in mind. The tool is reusable and made from 94% recycled plastic. Plus, the applicator head is replaceable so you can use it year after year. You can simply order new heads (it’s $11 for a pack of two on Amazon) when the old one gets a bit dingy and reassemble with the lid and reservoir from your original Solar Buddies sunscreen applicator.
