A household name in sun protection for more than four decades, Banana Boat allows Aussie families to have fun in the sun while staying protected from harsh UV rays.
Banana Boat was born at Florida’s sunny Miami Beach in 1976 when the original beach protector, a lifeguard at that popular destination, realised the only sunscreens available were greasy and medicinal - and not fun at all. He made it his mission to help sunscreen feel good for a change.
We developed an effective, non-greasy formula and paired it with packaging in bright, new colours, different from the clinical options at the time. The playful tube combined with a whimsical name helped build a brand that made sun protection finally look and feel fun for millions of Australians.
Since then, we’ve helped protect the fun for sun-soaked summers spent outdoors, whether at the beach or the pool, picnics or playgrounds, outdoor concerts or just playing in the yard. Anywhere there’s fun under the sun, there’s Banana Boat® — and there’s Banana Boat® protection for every kind of fun.
All Banana Boat products are made in Australia. They are also comfortable to wear, easy to use and come at a great price.
We’re proud to be the #1 family sunscreen brand¹ in Australia with our baby and kids products and to have been recognised for consecutive years as a Highly Commended
sunscreen brand by Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Awards, meaning that Australians love
and trust our products.
Sun Safe School Program
Banana Boat is committed to kids’ sun safety education and understands that schools play a key role in teaching students this during their formative years. That’s why Banana Boat has developed the ‘Sun Safe School Program’, which introduces key sun safe behaviours to primary school children while encouraging an active outdoor lifestyle.
Through this education program, Banana Boat is on a mission to help these primary school aged students become well-informed on sun safety practices. Teachers can use our resource materials to educate students on sun safety and empower them to make informed decisions about their health - creating a positive attitude towards sun safety in the process.
Resources include our foundation program, ‘Fun in the Sun’, which introduces students to
key behaviours involved in sun safety through engaging activities like physical outdoor games, songs and multimedia visual worksheets. Our Year 1 program, ‘UV Aware’, extends student learning to include understanding UV rays and safe times of day to be out in the sun.
The crucial information in our programs, delivered by school teachers, is essential sun safety guidance that young people will follow throughout their lives. Teaching Aussie kids
about the importance of sun safety may just be the key to preventing future sunburn and skin damage caused by UV radiation.
By registering your school, teachers will have access to an exclusive sun-safe educational kit, which includes a number of valuable resources. You can make this happen by visiting the Banana Boat website at www.bananaboat.com.au.
Tips for sun safety
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world and sunscreen provides one of the best ways to protect yourself from the sun.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates sunscreens in Australia to ensure they are safe, efficacious and high quality. Sunscreen products must meet all the legal requirements of the TGA (which are some of the strictest in the world) before they are approved for supply in Australia.
When using sunscreen, it is important to remember the following tips:
Splodge enough: Always use an average of 35ml sunscreen per student (about seven teaspoons).
The 20-minute rule: Always give sunscreen 20 minutes to absorb before going outside.
Reapply, re-apply, re-apply: Apply sunscreen every two hours (and more often after swimming, using a towel or when sweating).
Get covered: Sunscreen is only one part of staying sun safe, so always get extra
Stay cool: The day is usually at its hottestbetween midday and 3pm, so find shade during these hours.
About the Banana Boat product
Uniquely formulated for the Australian climate, Banana Boat’s SPF50+ formulas provide the highest level of sun protection, so we can say ‘yes’ to time spent outdoors all year round.
Banana Boat believes that time spent outside with family and friends is when special
memories are made. That’s why Banana Boat® offers a variety of products with strong,
effective, long-lasting sun protection that stands up to any outdoor activity – so you can focus on creating more great moments.
Between our classic and mineral sunscreen offerings, it’s important to know which product is right for you and your students.
The classic sunscreen turns UVA and UVB rays into undetectable levels of heat just as they reach the skin, and uses chemical (or “classic”) active ingredients to absorb and dissipate UVA and UVB rays.2 These classic ingredients are helpful for making sunscreen feel lightweight and tend to spread and blend in more easily on the skin.
On the other hand, mineral sunscreen absorbs and deflects UVA and UVB rays from the skin as the sunscreen sits on the skin’s surface. This product comprises mineral (“physical”) active ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.² As a result, physical ingredients tend to be more visible on the skin and take a little longer to rub in.
Remember: always read the sunscreen label and follow the directions for use. Wear protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses in addition to sunscreen. Reapply frequently and avoid prolonged high-risk sun exposure.
Protecting students at school
The Banana Boat product protects students of all ages from the sun while at school. Students are not just learning about sun safety through our educational program, but are able to put into practice what they learn.
Primary school students are constantly in the sun during lunchtime (eating or playing on the oval or playground), PE classes, school camps, athletics carnivals, cross country or school sports competitions. With Banana Boat sunscreen’s proven efficiency, it’s the perfect product to have on hand for students every day - whether they need to reapply or forgot to wear sunscreen to school in the first place.
Banana Boat is not just beneficial for students, as school teachers are also out in the sun each day. Protecting skin of all ages is at the heart of what we do. Sunscreens come in many product formats and it’s important teachers and students understand how to apply it correctly.
For lotions and roll-ons, you need to apply at least one teaspoon for each arm, leg, front of the body and back of the body, and half a teaspoon for the face, neck and ears - seven teaspoons (approximately 35mL) for an average-sized adult. Wait 20 minutes before heading out in the sun.
Sprays - Like all sunscreens, it’s important to apply liberally and evenly. Hold the can 10-15cm away from the body and apply generously to all exposed areas 20 minutes before sun exposure. Rub sunscreen into the skin by hand for full and even coverage, and the skin should look wet after applying. Do not spray directly onto your face, but instead, spray onto your hands and then apply to your face. Use in a well-ventilated area and do not apply in windy conditions.
It’s crucial to remember that sunscreen is only one part of an important combination of steps both teachers and students should take to protect themselves from the sun.
We recommend wearing sun-protective clothing, including hats and sunglasses, and
seeking shade between the hours of 10am and 3pm. It is also essential to follow product label instructions for application and storage.
References
1. Circana Database Total AU Scan MAT 05/03/23
2. The Skin Cancer Foundation
1800 761 186
