Spray sunscreen works, but not as well as lotion.

No, it’s not as effective.

The issue isn’t the SPF formula — it’s the application. People spray too lightly, miss spots, don’t rub it in, and forget to hit the same area twice. Lotion forces you to actually cover the skin. You can feel where you’ve been.

Spray is also easy to inhale, which is why pediatricians usually recommend against it for kids. And wind? Forget it. Half the bottle ends up on your beach towel.

If you’re set on spray, use it like lotion: spray into your hand first, then rub on. That defeats the convenience, but it works.

Better to use lotion for the initial application, then spray for touch-ups.