Best Sunscreen Face-Off: Blue Lizard vs Banana Boat Sheer SPF

TL;DR - Banana Boat feels lighter and spreads faster on application, but Blue Lizard delivers more consistent coverage and a finish that stays more stable over time. If you value control and reliability over speed, Blue Lizard comes out ahead in this comparison.

White cast is the reason a lot of people never stick with mineral sunscreen. Even when the protection offered is good, the finish can be streaky, dull, or visibly chalky, especially on arms, shoulders, and the face. That’s why a lot of people are seeing sheer mineral formulas as the best sunscreen, as they go on invisible, but which is the go-to brand?

Here we aim to give you a little clarity on the subject by comparing two big name products in zinc-oxide sun protection - Blue Lizard Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 versus Banana Boat Sport 100% Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50. We’ll be assuming that both offer adequate UV protection, and focusing on what each is really like to use.  

Both are aimed at people who care about appearance as much as protection, and the small details can matter, so let’s see how each brand fares.

What’s the Best Sunscreen Where it Matters?

“Sheer” can mean different things depending on how a formula is built. Some sunscreens use lighter textures, others rely on finer mineral dispersion, and some simply take longer to set. Those differences only become obvious once you wear them properly, not when you test them indoors.

Now we focus on how each sunscreen behaves in real life, starting with how it applies, how long it stays effective, and how comfortable it feels once it’s on.

Aspect 1 - Application

Application is where mineral sunscreens either earn trust or lose it. How easily the product spreads, and how forgiving it is during blending all influence whether you’ll want to use it on a regular basis.

Blue Lizard SPF 50 sheer lotion applies more smoothly than traditional zinc-heavy formulas and stays workable long enough to blend properly. It doesn’t grab or clump, which helps avoid streaking, but it does need to be massaged in rather than quickly wiped on.

Application Score - 8/10

The texture of the Banana Boat product makes it easy to apply a consistent layer without obvious buildup. When applied carefully, it blends in evenly, particularly on areas like forearms where mineral sunscreens often struggle. Its formula is lighter and more fluid, meaning it spreads without too much rubbing being involved.

Application Score - 9/10

Aspect 2 - Feel on the Skin

A sunscreen can look fine when you’re applying it, but still end up feeling a bit heavy and uncomfortable later. This section looks at how noticeable each formula feels once settled and whether that changes through the day.

Once dry, Blue Lizard feels neutral rather than weightless. There’s a short settling period, after which it stays stable and doesn’t carry on moving around the skin’s surface. That stability helps prevent shine or patchiness developing later on.

The finish is natural rather than matte, which avoids the dry, powdery look that can exaggerate white cast. It tends to perform best on bare skin or with minimal makeup rather than heavier layers.

Feel Score - 9/10

Banana Boat feels lighter from the outset. It absorbs more quickly and leaves less initial tack, making it easier to forget you’re wearing it during day-to-day activity. In warmer weather or when you perspire, it can become slightly more noticeable again, whereas Blue Lizard remains more even once settled.

Feel Score - 8/10

Aspect 3 - Eco-Friendliness

From an environmental standpoint, the key difference between sunscreens comes down to the type of UV filters they use. Both products here rely on mineral filters rather than chemical ones, which are generally favored by people who are mindful of marine environments.

Blue Lizard uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as its UV filters, avoiding chemical ingredients that have been criticized for potential reef and aquatic impact. That mineral-only approach is clearly signposted on the product itself, making it easy for users to identify as a reef-conscious option, as it’s something that applies to every sunscreen that the brand offers.

Eco-friendliness Score - 9/10

The Banana Boat sunscreen also relies on mineral UV filters, placing it in the same broad reef-preferred category. However, the brand isn’t one that focuses as heavily on environmental protection - evidenced by the fact they’re not a mineral-only sunscreen brand.

Eco-friendliness Score - 7/10

Choosing the Best Sunscreen For You & Your Family

So, what have we learned in this article? We’ve seen that Blue Lizard outscored Banana Boat’s option by 26 to 24 and that’s no accident, as it’s a big name for a reason. However, the right choice for you and your family depends very much on how you get on with each one, but we’d like you to take the following rule of thumb away with you.

If your priority is fast application, a lighter feel, and minimal effort to blend in, Banana Boat’s sheer mineral sunscreen will do the job you want it to. However, if you care more about comfort and consistent protection, Blue Lizard’s mineral SPF 50 is the product of choice.

Of course, both options are designed to go on invisible, so it all boils down to how each one feels and acts when you use it. That’s a choice you’ll have to make yourself.