Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator Review
Sunscreen application has never been easier than with this gadget
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Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator
Pros
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Reaches hard-to-reach areas
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Applies evenly
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Easy to hold
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Simple to reapply
Cons
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The cap may be hard to remove
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Summer is here, and that means it’s time for pool days, sunny picnics, and beach outings that last until sundown. With the occasion in mind, sunscreen is a must and should be reapplied frequently throughout the day, especially if you’re enjoying the water. But reapplying can be tedious, and some hard-to-reach places on your body can easily be neglected.
Enter the Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator (available at Amazon) .
I have one arm, so I always find it challenging to reach my right shoulder and upper back, leaving those areas exposed to the sun. If you’re someone experiencing dexterity issues, fumbling to achieve an even and thorough sun cream application can quickly end in frustration or cause you to neglect your SPF.
I came across these gadgets while navigating an Amazon blackhole that started with me needing laundry detergent and ended with me purchasing a Solar Buddy instead. The latter turned out to be a way cooler purchase and changed my sunscreen game for the better. If you want to make any of your creams or lotions more accessible for breezy reapplication, keep reading this Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator review.
How does a Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator work?
Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicators are small containers shaped like miniature bowling pins. The top unscrews so you can fill them with a sunscreen of your choice, and the other end uncaps to reveal a roller ball. Just like that, your favorite bottled SPF now applies in a simple roll-on format.
What we like about Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator
It’s easier to reach certain areas
With one arm, I struggle to reach the shoulder on the side of my existing arm. The Solar Buddy gives me that little extra bit of extension so I can access the parts that are out of reach, including the right side of my upper back.
Its roller ball is encircled by a small sponge that automatically becomes saturated with suncream as you roll it on, which also means that, if I happen to be holding it at a slight angle when hitting my back, I’m still able to apply the product without making contact with the rollerball portion.
It offers even application
A frequent downfall of similar roller ball sunscreen applicators is streaky and uneven application. However, Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicators are designed so you don’t need to rub in a bunch of seemingly never-absorbing white cream, as the antibacterial sponge ensures even, streak-free application and broader coverage.
The device is easy to hold
Solar Buddies’ unique shape isn’t just for fun. The flared top with a skinnier middle makes them more ergonomic and accessible to hold since you can slide them between two fingers. Additionally, this form makes the base less challenging to unscrew for refills.
Reapplication has never been easier
Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicators were inspired out of a desire to make sunscreen reapplication easier for kids. But their design benefits adult users just as much as children, who are far from the only ones who need sunscreen to be a little simpler (and more fun) to use.
It’s easy to forgo the SPF when popping out to walk the dog if you don’t feel like going through the whole process of rubbing in cream. However, UV damage to your skin can occur after as little as 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure. This is why I love keeping a Solar Buddy right by the door.
In an instant, I can grab it and quickly apply SPF to any exposed areas. When any task at hand is easier and more accessible to accomplish, people actually tend to do it. Solar Buddies turns the chore, mess, and battle of frequent reapplication into a simple gesture.
Tip: Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicators work best with sunscreens that aren’t too thick or too thin. A couple of my favorites are La Roche Posay’s Anthelios Water Lotion Sunscreen and Derma B Everyday Sun Block. Both of these dispense from the Solar Buddies really smoothly.
This sunscreen absorbs quickly and is free of harmful ingredients.
This sunscreen is a perfect companion for your Solar Buddy.
What we don’t like about the Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator
The cap can be difficult
I only have one complaint about the Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator: The cap is a bit challenging to remove. However, I did find a fix for this. When you go to re-cap your Solar Buddy, just leave the smallest gap so it’s not pressed completely shut.
I’ve thrown it into my beach bag this way, and the cap has stayed on without causing a sun cream disaster in my bag. With this slight adjustment, it’s a lot easier to remove the cap.
Should you buy the Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator?
So much, yes!
SPF is crucial for everyone heading outside (even on cloudy days). Whether or not you struggle with dexterity or limb difference, having an easy way to apply and reapply sunscreen is a win. After all, your time is better spent having fun in the sun than being governed by a bottle of (necessary) SPF.
Say goodbye to the hassle of putting on sunscreen.