Spray sunscreens are even worse than we thought: a laboured analysis

Sunscreen sprays seem like the perfect way to reapply sunscreen. But how effective are they? I did some experiments to find out, and the results were pretty shocking.
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0:00 Intro
0:33 Why sprays are tricky
2:33 Where does the spray go?
5:04 More complicatedness: Volatile ingredients
8:49 How much lands on your face?
10:37 What if you try really hard?
14:53 What if you try even harder?
17:21 Even coverage?
18:45 Aerosol sprays are… worse
22:27 What we learned
Aerosol spray studies: www.arpansa.gov.au/sites/defa..., www.arpansa.gov.au/sites/defa...
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🙋🏻 I'm Michelle, a chemistry PhD, cosmetic chemist and science educator, here to explain how beauty products work, debunk myths, and help you make smarter decisions about your skincare, hair and makeup!
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🧴 SKINCARE GUIDE 🧴 Find out more: labmuffin.com/skin

[@lygophilia4127]

"plus he wasn't really spraying the spray like a normal person." This is how I describe things my husband does, as well. 😆

[@UnpurrfectRobyn]

Same! 🤣

[@excuseme2770]

I ran to the comments the minute this happened 😭

[@megan_beveridge]

We of little faith 😂

[@blueocean43]

Honestly I thought her way was the weird way of spraying. It's the influencer way, as it looks good in videos, but I wouldn't say I've ever seen anyone actually doing it in person. I've mostly seen it done they way her husband did it. Keep the spray stationary and more like 10cm away than 20, spray in a very approximate grid pattern, and keep spraying until your face feel wet all over.

[@joyfulgirl91]

@@blueocean43I work at a skin care counter where people can spray themselves all day and most people do a lot of things as if they are making a video and have no sensation at all in their face

[@dehosyt]

You could tell her scientific background with how critical she is with every one of her experiment and how convoluted she has to be to figure out and solve every flaw

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

It's the PhD trauma, you get used to having to defend every conclusion you make in front of a row of very nitpicky academics who may be working on competing projects 😅

[@rosmarbal]

​@@LabMuffinBeautyScience LOL PhD trauma. 100% true 😢😆

[@ap3he]

@@LabMuffinBeautyScience as a fellow PhD girly I really FELT this comment. Thanks for all your hard work - this is a symposium level body of work 😅

[@qwmx]

​@@LabMuffinBeautyScience​​IT'S NOT TRAUMA. THIS. IS.CRITICAL.THINKING. Sorry, my bad. I was an ex-wannabe researcher and while I do think like you, I don't see enough of this thinking in the general populace. It's normally those in specialised fields that think like this.

[@carochan86]

I love it.

[@tavolinov.8857]

Tbh the results are insane-. I expected It wouldn't be good but I really did not expect it would be THIS bad... And it's not like I would ever think "Yeah!! It's so REASONABLE and USER FRIENDLY! Obviously I NEED TO SPRAY IT 180 TIMES to MAYBE get enough protection from this!!"

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

@@tavolinov.8857 Right?? I absolutely did NOT expect these numbers!

[@maimee1]

I think it's always known to be a less optimal amount of protection, but maybe we shouldn't use this delivery method until we have SPF 150 labeled or something.

[@asuka-ryo]

​@@maimee1 SPF higher than SPF 50 doesn't offer much protection difference (to SPF 50). That's why most brands don't bother to create sunscreens with higher SPFs.

[@werm3169]

​@asuka-ryo Not so. Higher SPF compensates for imperfect application (see: applying half the recommended amount of sunscreen halves the SPF; therefore, higher SPF sunscreens will provide higher SPF when applied poorly) and would compensate for the very imperfect nature of sunscreen sprays, too. The reason why brands don't make sunscreens with SPF higher than 50 is because doing so often requires using higher concentrations of UV filters and/or film formers, which becomes cosmetically inelegant as fuck really fast. There's a lot of effort that has to go into making a high SPF sunscreen that people actually want to use

[@maimee1]

@@werm3169 That's exactly what I was thinking. Thanks for explaining lol

[@user-rh6ru5oz2o]

The research design stuff is every bit as interesting as the sunscreen information

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

I wanted to make sure everyone could feel my pain 😩

[@ruaoneill9050]

​@@LabMuffinBeautyScience you succeeded! We appreciate your sacrifice

[@christenh359]

This is fantastic.

[@carochan86]

​@@LabMuffinBeautyScience your too entertaining for it to be painful.

[@janette6]

Poor Omar, what a good sport. The toilet sheet was hilarious!

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

He's a great assistant 😂

[@mv848]

OMG the best channel ever. I believe in science. That's how you move forward in life. No BS! Science, numbers, math......

[@laurenemerick4350]

*cough cough* you also need philosophy! Critical thinking, parsing arguments, articulation skills, ethics, etc. 😊 Science without critical analysis and bioethics results in things like eugenics. 🤮

[@littleprettyfairy]

@@laurenemerick4350yeah as a bio major i think humanities are actually more important. but when it comes to stuff like spf, science is what really matters. bc if you dont listen to the science here u end up with those ppl who think eating meat is enough to stop u from getting skin cancer

[@laurenemerick4350]

@@littleprettyfairy for sure! Just shouting out philosophy. 💕 I suppose my response was meant to iterate that more than science is necessary for “moving forward in life.” Certainly we must work with other fields! That’s why we have the phil science ppl. Hahaha

[@mv848]

@@laurenemerick4350 You are so right. Thank you for a lovely response. We would be (obviously) monsters w/out morality, ethics...

[@fab0527]

But does science believe in you? 🤔

[@D0B3RW0M4N]

GIVE ME THE SCIENCE MICHELLE IM READY

[@JasonAtlas]

I live in Scotland. Last time we saw the sun my family thought a meteor had come to destroy earth and we fled into heather. I am now for some reason invested in sunscreen.

[@seanvalentinus]

okay, so i’ve gotten a toilet seat, hung it around my neck, and sprayed sunscreen up both nostrils. that should pretty much cover me for the day, right? do i have to keep wearing the toilet seat all day, or can i take it off?

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

@@seanvalentinus You keep wearing it all day, and add a new one every morning

[@maleahlock]

😂​@@LabMuffinBeautyScience

[@nanb7017]

@@LabMuffinBeautyScienceI laughed out loud at this comment - Perfect.

[@ER__783]

I cackled with laughter at imperial heathens, I felt seen and attacked all at once hahaha. Loved this video. Greetings from USA.

[@katschrader1482]

😂 Same. Brought me joy every time she came for us. It’s just nice to be thought of… 🤣

[@peculiar-pan]

'merica!

[@circuitsalsa]

haha, we've been teaching metric in our schools for a while now. Technically, we're metricifying even now. I've switched over ages ago and it really is way better.

[@lumina56]

Me and my bff were in a debate about whether sprays or sticks were better to use (especially for replications) turns out we both were wrong LOL

[@heatherburke9583]

Whats best is the option you'll actually use

[@aharrypotterfan5951]

@@heatherburke9583 why are you acting like people can only use one, lotion sunscreen is not anywhere near hard enough to apply to where the MAJORITY of people will stop using sunscreen if they can’t use anything else, sprays and sticks are just half-decent alternatives

[@LJCG777]

Sprays are neater for re touching the sunscreen if you know you're gonna be out for way too long, just spray away without care for really needing to aply it evenly every 2 hours.​@@aharrypotterfan5951

[@justplainizzy]

@@aharrypotterfan5951reapplying with lotion sunscreen can mess up your makeup abit more than sunscreen sticks or sprays. So people might turn away from it if they are wearing makeup.

[@splendidcolors]

My favorite use of stick sunscreen is to prevent hair dye from staining my face. I hadn't been using it as sunscreen because I couldn't apply it evenly enough and it was visibly whitish when I used enough. But it was on my counter when I dyed my hair purple for the first time in years so I tried it as a stain block. It turns out to be easy to apply to the face, neck, and ears and effectively prevented hair dyes from staining my skin. (I know petroleum jelly is what people usually use, but it's difficult to apply around the hairline without smearing it into my hair, and hair that touches it gets coated and won't take dye.) I realize the SPF ingredients are irrelevant to hair dye blocking, but the waterproof "dry finish" base was useful.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

That's a really cool hack!

[@Orynae]

ooh that's a good idea! I haven't had much luck with petroleum jelly either, I just feel like too much gets on my hair. I've just resigned myself to having stained skin after every dye job for the past few years haha

[@Scriptadiaboly]

​@@Orynae I usually use blue Nivea cream

[@lolnamelollastname9788]

LIFE HACKS! Thank you stranger; will use this if I ever get a chance to dye my hair at home again

[@ohhhpossum]

That is ingenious. I dye my hair purple a lot and resigned myself to the purple ears but I'm very tempted to give this a try. Using vasoline or petroleum jelly or water based emollients sucks for applications and the fact they get into my hair bothers me as well.

[@TheOneAndOnlyZouzaa]

So basically it’s not worth using sunscreen sprays as a form of reapplication, best to stick to cream based sunscreens

[@kikiTHEalien]

It's better than nothing

[@CaptDF97]

@@kikiTHEalien unintuitive as it may sound, it might be worse than nothing, not because the spray doesn’t provide protection, but because it provides inadequate protection and at the same time gives people a false sense of protection from the sun, i.e., people think that they have enough sunscreen on so they spend more time in the sun.

[@TheOneAndOnlyZouzaa]

@@kikiTHEalien hmm the thing is this is what I used to think too, but based on the results of this experiment and the amount of money you’re paying per bottle; it isn’t worth the outcome. You’d have to spray a ridiculous amount to get the spf on the label and that’s basically half of the bottle gone. And that’s IF all the spray is hitting your face properly

[@lrizzard]

@@kikiTHEalien i remember hearing that it is actually not better than nothing since people would be avoiding the sun instead if they knew they weren't protected. can't cite anything though.

[@timaalo154]

omg thank you for the conclusion!! i don't have to waste my half of an a hour time just to find it lol

[@knowledgehunter_]

Hands down! Sunscreen Queen of Internet. I think since covid period I started to watch your videos. Heavily educational. Love love love that. Thank you for all your hard work. Also I have observed that many doctors, estheticians, influencers started to preach after watching your videos but unfortunately people don't give you that credit. Btw Imperial heathens. Lollllllll 😂😂😂

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Thank you! ❤

[@Poemi10304]

I've seen James Welsh give credit multiple times! 🥰

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Love him! He's great at crediting people, it's rare and speaks to his integrity 😊

[@KittySheep]

This all really explains why I got burned so much as a kid, and have moles popping up so much. I was expected to spray my own sunscreen, without any adult help, for as long as I can remember. I thought that getting burned even with sunscreen was just expected. Thankfully I use lotions and protective clothing now.

[@giochacon8354]

LOVE HOW GEEKY this is !!!! thank you for ALL your efforts.

[@chaoticpoodle]

The best sunscreen is the one you'll use. If it takes wasting 80% of the product to get my parents to wear ANY amount of sunscreen, so be it. Though, I do wish SPF was measured under conditions that even vaguely resemble typical use

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Yes and no - there are studies showing that if people think they're a lot more protected than they are, it changes their behaviour i.e. more sun exposure without additional protection. Given how much is lost with sprays, it's not that different from assuming the SPF in your makeup is enough and you don't need a dedicated sunscreen.

[@ThuTran-el4hv]

The "the best sunscreen" quote is the result of research on liquid sunscreen not spray sunscreen. Tbh based on Michelle's test results, I'd say just wear a larger hat and ditch the spray bottle.

[@emmao6578]

Is there really no way of getting them to use a decent basic suncream? I've always hated sprays for various reasons so am obviously biased but I just don't get what benefits sprays have? Especially when applying to the face, having to close your eyes and avoid breathing in while awkwardly trying to make sure you're still spraying at your face is just so much worse than applying a cream to your face like any other moisturiser.

[@sonjaforrester9255]

I will never buy spray again. I didn't like it before but allowed my child to use it for reapplication on the body. But it doesn't provide good enough protection. Boy will he be mad. Thank you for all this very hard work.

[@ElMona]

There is a difference between a spray sunscreen and sunscreen that comes in a spray bottle as a method of application, where you still have to rub it on

[@undeniablySomeGuy]

I think expecting consumers to tell the difference and apply accordingly is unrealistic. Getting cream sunscreen is going to be much more safe

[@sophiafbezerra4231]

I'd love to see a video on SPF lib balms

[@spac3jam514]

Yesss please!

[@misskiwi5460]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@amyamy8177]

yes plz

[@amyamy8177]

anecdotaly i feel like something like avene spf 50+ than lrp xl sunstick if you use that on your lips because avene is much more greasy so it feels like it build more on itself but hinestly would love some testing of a few spf 50+ lips balms!

[@mashilda7921]

yeah! most of them that I can find are like 15 spf. and they don't really have much instructions

[@kaw8473]

Wild coincidence! We are having a heat wave in our area and I actually questioned the spray I was applying. Thankfully KZbin has grown telepathic and recommended the exact video I needed.

[@QTKLo]

Ten years ago, my kids got bad sunburns while we were on vacation. We were using aresol spray sunscreen. We haven't used sunscreen in that form since that day.

[@ellis7796]

I never spray directly on my face. I was taught to spray it in my hands and then rub it on my face.

[@AlwaysAmTired]

Mine says to do just that on the label

[@mysticfox1663]

Yeah that's how you're supposed to do it but it seems she's basing it off how much people on social media use it and people using it to not ruin any make up. So they wouldn't be rubbing it on with their hands.

[@splendidcolors]

@@mysticfox1663 I don't see the point of buying a spray product to spray it on my hands and transfer it to my face. If it needs to be applied by hand, I might as well squeeze or pour it on my hands and avoid getting overspray all over. I can also apply it with my fingertips instead of wasting it on my whole hands. And I don't want overspray all over my clothing! I wouldn't mind it on my hair, ears, and decolletage because they need SPF too. But I don't want it on my clothing. I don't want it leaving oily marks on my clothes that may or may not wash out but certainly look bad while I'm away from home.

[@caitthecat]

​@@mysticfox1663You're supposed to spray it on your hands? What's the point, then?

[@emmao6578]

@@splendidcolors Honestly I'm just glad to find other people who see all the reasons spray sunscreens are such a ridiculous product, I find them really annoying and have never understood why so many people I know default to buying the spray option

[@persapphone]

Cant believe i sat here for 20 minutes with my short attention span. You have a way to really keep people’s attention and your videos and posts are always so informative and interesting!

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

There are buttons on the screen where you can increase the speed of videos or put on subtitles. You can just listen while you're doing other things.

[@PredictableEnigma]

Patience is like a muscle, not an inherant quality. You exercise it and it gets easier and easier and requires less effort ❤ anyone can slowly lengthen thier attention span by allowing themselves to be uncomfortable with the inital boredom until the discomfort fades

[@sekischro5093]

​​@@PredictableEnigma some people have adhd and their brain chemistry literally works different

[@PredictableEnigma]

@@sekischro5093 I have ADHD my guy

[@giselioliveira630]

I am brown, I use chemical sunscreen which avoids white cast. I don usually reapply sunscreen (it's too expensive for me) but when I do, like when I am at the beach or outside for too long e use a cushion foundation sponge to reapply. It doesn't scratch my face with sand nor mess up my makeup underneath.

[@lasagnasquare5604]

Omg that’s so smart!

[@swish043]

That is smart as hell. I think I have a silicone makeup cushion somewhere...

[@Scriptadiaboly]

Cancer is far more expensive

[@MissMoontree]

Keep in mind that you need to use sunscreen before it loses spf. It is best to buy a new one every year.

[@snowballeffect7812]

We used bananaboat spray and to apply to the face, we would spray onto our hands and then apply like a lotion onto our face. obviously this gets rid of any benefit of not messing up your makeup, but it felt like it was a good application method.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

I think it's the best way!

[@Stephstar80]

Your book, is about to arriiiiiiiiivvveeeeeee!!!!!!!!!........ First Book in ECUADOR 🇪🇨 🤗 ❤️

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Ahhhh hope you enjoy it!!

[@MariaPetrescu]

Just ordered your book for the city library in Gothenburg, Sweden! Can't wait!

[@AnthonyLago]

I love when you discover you are correct because that means we get the Final Fantasy battle victory sound clip and I never tire of that!!

[@lhmcd5538]

It’s so refreshing to have someone not trying to really dumb things down when discussing something important like sunscreen. Thank you Michelle. I do appreciate it. Heathens 🫣🤭 May you all please take care and stay safe. Louisa. 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️🤩🤩🤩

[@ahoam]

Another reason why spray sunscreens are appealing: I'm a dark-skinned woman who struggles to find and afford traditional sunscreens that don't make my skin look ashy, using sprays removes that issue

[@carochan86]

Have you tried" sheer " sunscreens? I'm pail so it just makes me look more ghostly .

[@khxliakhxlia3605]

Yeah I use sprays but spray it on my hand then apply to face

[@nentendomofo]

Black girl sunscreen is great cerave is okay

[@drezhb]

Could it be that the reason you don't see the issue when using sprays is because not enough product gets on your skin?

[@ahoam]

@drezhb no, it's cus the sprays are transparent

[@albertqhumperdinck]

Michelle, you are a gift to the world. Omar is a pretty good sport too! He looks like one of those bread cats with that paper halo! For real though, you always manage to thread the needle of scientific accuracy (like SERIOUSLY PREVENTING CANCERS!) and not only in a funny or entertaining way, but also (I would argue more importantly than even being funny) in a way that doesn`t exclude or alienate people who *don`t like science* and turn away from what they might find intimidating. I just can`t say enough nice things about everything you`ve done on the internet! Standing ovation!

[@twiggyvlogs6441]

I got so badly burnt my first time on Bondi beach because i was doing top up sunscreen with the spray and it was getting blown away and super patchy application. Lesson learnt.

[@alicegaiba]

14:48 I was today years old when I found out that wind exists. Science is amazing

[@SaranshV]

I'm in India and FINALLY I'll have The Science of Beauty in my hands this Saturday!!! Cannot wait!!

[@jameslozano6913]

I love seeing the thought process behind the experiment design

[@670Kai]

This is honestly the best channel ever. Also, that sarcastic Daria-like humor, love it.

[@amy3620]

10/10 obsessive in-depth content :D I bought your book as soon as the video finished. Plus, I just love a scientist who gets distracted counting, its very relatable.

[@minacayy]

I appreciate your and your assistants efforts to educate us

[@lecocoabean1432]

Love the tenacity and science! I bought your book science of beauty the day it came out; it sits in my salon blowing the minds of people who are waiting!

[@tinasung3814]

One difference between paper face mask you used to test the spray coverage and an actual human face, is that the paper face mask is flat, where a human face has curvatures which likely will get even less coverage than the date you collected on the face mask.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Yep, it presents more of a rectangular profile to the spray rather than an oval - I didn't talk about this but I did try to contour it a bit more, but it was too variable between different masks and probably was more hassle than it was worth. Any mist floating of during the funnel measurement would also increase the calculated % hitting the mask - so very much the best case scenario!

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

I also wondered if paper absorbs the spray more than skin.

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Absorption isn't relevant for this measurement, because we're only looking at mass - the mass of sunscreen landing on the "face" will be the same whether it stays sitting on the surface or absorbs, because of the law of conservation of mass (unless the absorption is so bad that the spray drips off the skin and you lose mass that way). The paper is only used to see where the spray landed, so it's just important to ensure that the mass retained would be the same for the paper funnels and the paper masks.

[@lilncheese588]

Just wanna say I absolutely love your book, I recommend it to everyone that asks me about skincare. Thank you for putting so much effort and dedication into educating us. ❤

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Thank you! That's really lovely to hear 😊

[@WinterAutumn559]

Much respect for your dedication to this experiment.

[@ace.of.space.]

huge respect for all your sacrifices

[@raygin6581]

Michelle 👏🏻 for 👏🏻 nobel 👏🏻 prize 👏🏻 2024

[@marln2157]

the way you mentioned your book (which I already have and am currently enjoying btw)! :D your humor is just the best.

[@farahdibasonda6708]

Another insanely genius video. Michelle! The skin care community would be so incomplete without you!

[@brownsugarissupreme]

I admire how she also showed the mess in science that is conducting experiments. This is also really thorough and I like how you also included experiments conducted by other researchers too

[@emptiheadspace]

GIIIIIRL I want more of these tests I loooooooved this!

[@DiverBen116]

I just got your book as a birthday present from my partner and I am overjoyed 🎉🎉 you just nail making complex topics so easy to access and enjoyable to read ❤❤ I feel like I learn something every video I watch and keep coming back to understand more and more the science behind sunscreeen and skincare

[@LauraLVTGW]

I am so impressed with your tenacity!!! I appreciate all your hard work, your honesty and your personality. Many blessings!!!💖💖💖

[@AlwaysAmTired]

I wonder about rash guards. Like, they advertise specific spf but what does that mean? Will it stop working after some amount of time in the sun? Does the protection wear out over time with laundering them? I'd love to see a video on protective clothing.

[@Sleipnirseight]

Boost! I appreciate all the work and education you do!

[@YT-ly5px]

I just got a spray sunscreen and I was looking on your channel because I was wondering if you did any experiments, and lo and behold a few days later you upload this! Thank you so much for your rigorous experiments answering important questions for us

[@zmiye]

Your book has just arrived and it looks so amazing! Thank you for it😊

[@mnilbydntkt]

When it comes to discussions about makeup and sunscreen reapplication, our priorities are misplaced. Instead of focusing on finding sunscreens that work with makeup, we should be asking, "How do you reapply makeup over sunscreen?" Choose makeup that's compatible with sun protection, not the other way around. Just like I adjust my hairstyle to fit my sunhat, we need to adapt our routines for proper sun protection. EDIT: To clarify, I do wear both sunscreen and makeup. I've found the best approach is lightweight, cream/liquid formulas applied with clean hands. I wear Hamilton Everyday Face SPF 50+ sunscreen on most days. My sunscreen-friendly makeup routine is Glossier cloud paint for cheeks and eyelids, NYX Jumbo highlighter stick, long-wearing lip liner with QV Face Lip Balm SPF 30+ (reapplied). I also carry cotton swabs for touch-ups on mascara or eyeliner 🩷

[@FreshFlamingo]

Right, that’s because the answer is “you can’t” unless your goal is 7 layers of makeup sandwiched between 7 layers of cream sunscreen you reapply every few hours over the makeup. Literally 0 people are doing this. So, a better way still needs to be found.

[@mothturtle7897]

The long lasting sun screens (~10 hours) might be the answer but I don't know how effective they actually are ​@FreshFlamingo

[@mnilbydntkt]

​@@FreshFlamingoWell yes, I have reapplied sunscreen and makeup all day. It's doable with lightweight, cream/liquid makeup applied with clean hands. You can't maintain full glam makeup with proper sunscreen reapplication-but even full glam needs touch-ups on hot or humid days. A sheer liquid blush, lip color, and mascara are manageable even with heavy sunscreen reapplication. Touch up as needed, like you would with lip products. Or buy a UPF50+ Balaclava or sun hat that comes with a face cover from Solbari 🤷‍♀️

[@mnilbydntkt]

​@@mothturtle7897 Michelle did a video + blog post on a 6-hour sunscreen! Blog post is called "DO THEY WORK? EVY 6-HOUR SUNSCREEN, DERMABLEND DROPS IN SPF"-definitely check it out if you haven't already !

[@chouliha1]

This heathen appreciates the analysis 😊Science is key!! I use a mixture of things and have some body sprays. This helps me make better decisions moving forward

[@klosettchen]

Love your work and am always happy when I see a notification! Thank you :)

[@sonaku1]

Thank you for doing this!! We see your effort to get the most precise results!

[@KAlSA]

Thank you Michelle! ❤ I love you and your super videos 🎉

[@rosehipowl]

I recently saw a hair and scalp sunscreen spray that I was intrigued by, especially as a very pale lady terrified of burning. I wasn't going to buy it for a multitude of reasons (too expensive, don't wash my hair everyday, would probably need help getting my entire scalp covered), but this has definitely added another one to that list! I will just continue to not go outside 🤙

[@sapphireblue4031]

or get a hat ^^

[@Poemi10304]

Get clothing with UPF 50!

[@swish043]

Long flowy linen clothing, sun gloves, and a hat! It also feels cooler than having your skin in the sun. Just no artificial fibres.

[@Orchidaceous1]

Your dedication is amazing! I love the thoroughness. 👏

[@tyrennosaur]

Thank you for suffering for us and making this brilliant video! I just ordered your new book, can't wait to read it :)

[@ThePiggiestOne]

I just went sunscreen shopping up to about 2 hours ago and I remember seeing the sunscreen sprays and thinking "what would Michelle think about these?" I remember you saying if you use the spray, you must still rub in it. I checked the ingredients (Malibu SPF50+ for example) and I saw a high concentration of Denatured Alcohol. While I have no problem with some alcohol in my products, alcohol being the first listed ingredient is not negligible. Thanks for all the information, Michelle. You're really helping me sound smart outside.

[@3pagesmanquantes]

Thank you SO MUCH for all your work, you are wonderful!

[@gnparticle]

Your dedication to science(and this channel) is mind boggling. Thank you Michelle!!!!

[@ThankYouVeryBlush]

Michelle for the win once again ❤ I’m glad I waited for a video like this before buying a sunscreen spray, thank you!!

[@franciscolodix1214]

I bought your book hehe. One question, that maybe was answered in the video, but don't have the time now. But why wait 24h for the product to dry for sprays? They don't have the same problem as Aerosols that a big percentage of the product is propellant, and when they are tested the propellant is taken out. So the formula is tested as a whole, without drying out anything. That means that the non-volatile part of the Spray could have double or more the concentration of "spf" compared to the mix of them . Normal lotion would also lose weight after drying up, probably even more than half the weight in some cases.

[@annecathymoore3810]

Yay, I was just wondering about this! ❤

[@EmyN]

The queen has graced us again with more sunscreen experiments!! 🤩🤩

[@Rosemallow]

I just came here to say, I bought your book, I have audio version and I hope to get the print version too! I became a facialist because of you I love skincare science it’s a fun hands on hobby for me (I’m in the social sciences) 😊 I’m so excited at your growth and to see you enjoying what you do. Congratulations

[@db-gb5xi]

Thanks for the deep dive and effort and for thinking about us heathens.

[@ash_wts]

I'm loving the edit on this video 😂❤

[@veroniquedusabe513]

Thank you for all the info shared on your channel!

[@alexalittle]

Your commitment to public science is awesome! Thank you so much for taking all that time and effort to answer a really important question that affects a lot of us! ✨

[@sweetcarolineq]

The results are shocking! I’m now reapplying by gently patting my liquid sunscreen and wearing less foundation or skipping it altogether especially when I know I’ll be outside and need to reapply. Can you also test the efficacy of sun cushions??

[@ryanwillingham]

someone else in the comments mentioned they use a cushion foundation sponge to reapply sunscreen, which doesn't mess up their makeup. for the record, i don't wear makeup, so those words mean nothing to me, but i figured you might want to try it!

[@Vallie352]

This is the most PhD thing ever. I remember when my best friend was going through her neuroscience phd, it reminds me of some of how she’d described how she did her experiments. Love it so much. I can’t wait to read your book!

[@TheMayra1393]

This is fantastic! I bought one a few weeks ago and I tried to use it on a windy day at the beach. Immediately I realized it was a terrible idea and changed to a normal one. Thanks for the science ❤

[@TheJuneYaj]

I absolutely love your channel and the information you put out. I’ve learned so much! Thank you!

[@abigailfitzgerald7508]

Can you also address the latest test results for EVY? Maybe do a short? It will be less stressful!

[@aliskprado]

Thank you for doing this for us!!!

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sal_alaa]

The effort you have put in is astounding

[@deannyc]

I just got your book in the mail :) thank you for your work!

[@cristinaferrara6966]

I use aerosol body sunscreen. My technique has always been to spray directly into my hand and then apply to my skin. I’ll do a liberal spray to the parts of my back I can’t reach with my hands. I’ve never had a problem (no burns), and I do burn without sunscreen. I haven’t tried the face ones, so thank you for the research you did here. I’ll be skipping them.

[@questionablyelven]

What is the point? Why not just use a cream sunscreen at that point, if you still have to rub it in?

[@cristinaferrara6966]

@@questionablyelven It's faster to apply (absorbs better). Being able to reach parts of my back by spraying is a huge advantage. It's also faster and easier to do touch ups, and less messy. I don't mind creams/lotions, however, if I can't apply them to parts of my back that are exposed when wearing a tank top or dress, then it's not very practical. I prefer not to have to carry around two types, so sprays win. My favourite is Trader Joe's.

[@J_Mock92]

I think we can all agree that sprays suck, but are still better than _nothing_ I guess... I used to HATE when my Mom would rub sunscreen lotion on me as a kid (not everyday, but anytime we were at the pool or played outside for a while). My brother didn't like it either, but I think he mostly complained about having to reapply more often to prevent burning (he got her super fair skin and would burn up real quick without it, while I tanned easily like our Dad). I'm glad she forced us to suffer through at all though, because I don't think I ever burned as a kid, and my brother very rarely did. I can't handle most sunscreen sprays. I have a couple of aerosol ones, and a couple of pump mist bottles meant for the face, but I don't actually enjoy using them lol. I can't use the aerosol ones without feeling like I can't breathe (even just on my body), unless I'm outside or something, and can't use the face mists without wearing tanning goggles to prevent them from getting too close to my eyes (I don't use tanning beds, but used them for the Red Light Therapy and Spray Tanning Booths at my gym). That's actually a good tip btw.... If you _do_ still choose to use a spray sunscreen for _whatever_ reason, then putting tanning goggles on before spraying will help keep it out of your eyes with minimal disruption to your makeup. It's just annoying as hell, like sprays in general 🤷

[@mshmslv]

With the goggles, wouldn't the area around your eyes get absolutely no protection? That's one of the most sensitive areas...

[@J_Mock92]

@@mshmslv no, because indoor tanning goggles don't go past the crease of your eyelids. They're not like sunglasses....

[@moahavande]

Your videos never disappoint! Thank you!!!

[@daphne8406]

The tests really made me giggle, your lovely assistant sure is a good sport 😂

[@GirlAcrossTheWorld]

As someone extremely fair, I have been experimenting using sprays as an EXTRA on TOP of my cream/lotion formulas, to "set" them and add extra protection. I've noticed less irritation and pinkness since starting to do this. I hope this is acceptable! It seems to ve working for me so far. I'm fair enough that i can get pink wearing SPF 50 after an hour of minimal activity, luke taking my dog to the park.

[@xtosssxts1032]

YES THANK YOU MICHELLE I was wandering about it recently, taking sprays effectiveness with a grain of salt same as SPF In sticks.

[@carolannf]

This was fascinating Michelle! I think you may have to start listing your makeup products too because your lipstick is always so beautifully glossy 💋🇦🇺

[@3451namine3451]

I didnt expect the results to be good, but never this bad. Its scary how bad the results are, especially since its so much marketing saying this is a good way to apply or reapply sunscreen

[@myla4444]

i was researching this yesterday and didn’t find anything like this!!!

[@ceresida]

The only way to apply spray is to spray it into the hand’s palm and then rubbing it onto the skin

[@violets-for-roses]

True but that would mean aerosols are a waste and people don't want to hear that.

[@raygin6581]

18:03 she talks about that. It defeats the whole purpose of a spray.

[@violets-for-roses]

​@@raygin6581That's what I thought. 🤔

[@ceresida]

@@violets-for-roses well, the liquid preparation that is packed in the spray bottle can be preferred by some consumers. I prefer the liquid consistency on the skin exposed by my hair partition, instead if a cream or gel. I don’t think that a spray container is needded for such a solution but I guess it is s convenient way op packaging a liquid for controlled dosing.

[@BookChats]

Yeah, I think there's still a problem with wind and etc when you're applying. All of the sprays I've ever read the directions for tell you to rub the spray on and to spray on your hand and rub that into your face rather than spraying your face, but that's not really how most people use them.

[@ElzaraIsmE]

Looooved this video! So much work went into it! I'm impressed and thankful for your dedication to science. It sounds so bad that I don't see a point in buying sunscreen sprays in the first place. Just gentle reapplication works great. Yes, it might slightly mess up my makeup, but I'm not on a photoshoot every day, and I can always wear long-wearing makeup underneath.

[@lilyivey5933]

first video i've ever watched of yours! loved the breakdowns and just how thorough you were. thank you for furthering science with your experiments and additionally helping spread important information

[@ghostratsarah]

Spray sunscreen is really helpful for people with disabilities

[@SaranshV]

Good point. The convenience of application really stands out in this scenario

[@flowerheit4512]

thats great! just make sure you are using enough product to get the protection you need

[@elena7520]

How so? Wouldn't you need better fine motor skills to operate a spray and press the nozzle dozens of times as opposed to just squeezing a bottle?

[@ghostratsarah]

@@elena7520 mobility and pain are the issue, not pushing a button/convenience. That's kinda like saying "why would you need a wheelchair, it's easier to walk than it is to turn the wheels". There are too many disabilities applicable here to spend the energy going into technicalities of

[@ghostratsarah]

@@flowerheit4512 it's easier to get full coverage with an option that one can reach where than need it to go, than it is to use a product they can't effectively utilize. It's just a little insulting to chime in the 'make sure you use it right', as if people with disabilities are children that need to be reminded immediately after watching a video on the subject.

[@user-qx1om2wj1h]

Omar: Why are you wearing a paper mask? Michelle: Science! Omar: And the toilet seat cover you put around my face? Michelle:......also for science 😗

[@Blue_Butterfly22]

I have adhd and my focusing is so rare, but with every one of your videos, without fail, i can instantly focus. Cus these are the questions i ask!!

[@mollyprincessandHIM]

This explains so much. A couple of years ago I had a job that was partly outside and even though I religiously reapplied my spray sunscreen I noticed new freckles and my sunspots getting worse. Thank you for your efforts!

[@AmmoniteDragon]

Jokes on all of you, I always sprayed spray sunscreen into my hand and then applied it to my face! Sprays are REALLY useful for getting the product ON children, but I always rub them in to make sure they have good coverage. Also being quite liquidy makes it much quicker for me to apply to fidgety young ones. I don't use sprays on a daily basis for myself, but for outings with young kinds they're so convenient!

[@traceymurphy4804]

Aaand this is why research is not for me. I'd have wandered off half way thru these experiments 😂

[@LabMuffinBeautyScience]

@@traceymurphy4804 I didn't expect it to take this much effort, but I was already so deep in, I had to see it through!

[@traceymurphy4804]

@@LabMuffinBeautyScience I admire your tenacity! And I'm enjoying the new book! ❤