Banana Boat SprayOn Sunscreen — Burn of a whole different kind

When I first received the news blurb I thought it was a joke; but this is no laughing matter!

Apparently, in addition to trying to avoid sunburn, at least one brand of spray-on sunscreen can cause you second and third degree burns.

The maker of Banana Boat UltraMist Sunscreen has ordered a removal of the product from store shelves after reports of at least five people who have been burned as a result of the sunscreen. Included in the recall are products like:

• UltraMist Sport
• UltraMist Ultra Defense
• UltraMist Kids

One man, Brett Sigworth of Stow, Mass., related to CBS News, “I sprayed on the spray-on sunscreen, and then rubbed it on for a few seconds. I walked over to my grill, took one of the holders to move some of the charcoal briquettes around and all of a sudden it just went up my arm”.

I confess that I have never read the ingredients in sunscreens before and dermatologists report that is pretty common for most users. Apparently, the spray applicator is allowing too much of the liquid to be applied and the alcohol and petroleum ingredients in the sunscreen are not drying fast enough. Too much of these flammable ingredients, too close to a flame and there is a significant risk of flammability.

Interestingly, the product label includes the recommendation to “apply liberally” and to “reapply as needed”. The label ingredients set forth glycerin as one of the ingredients; a compound that has been promoted as a substitute to diesel fuels.

Consumers are urged to discontinue use of any of these products and to contact the manufacturer, Energizer, at 800-723-3786 or by email at, SUNCARE@customerfollowup.info.