Brand Breakdown: Is Vacation a Clean Beauty Brand?
Background on Vacation
Vacation was founded in June 2021 by former ad execs Lach Hall and Dakota Green alongside Poolsuite’s Marty Bell, leveraging Bell’s nostalgia-driven radio brand to craft a “leisure-enhancing” sunscreen line rooted in 1980s beach culture . They collaborated with Dr. Elizabeth Hale, Chief Medical Advisor of the Skin Cancer Foundation, and perfumers Carlos Huber and Rodrigo Flores-Roux to develop sensorial, effective formulas and their signature fragrance that evokes coconut, banana, pool water, and swimsuit lycra
What Vacation Claims About their Ingredients
Vacation positions itself as a clean‑beauty pioneer with its proprietary “CleanClassic™” approach—formulating with time‑tested, dermatologist-approved ingredients, free from oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens, phthalates, PEGs, and mineral oil, and compliant with Hawaii’s Reef Act. But does it hold up to Oh Daisey standards??
Breaking Down the Ingredients
Taking the Classic Whip SPF 30 as an example, ingredients include great things like aloe vera leaf juice, coconut oil, and niacinamide, however, they include many ingredients we would not recommend. Check out this blog post to learn more about the differences between Mineral and Chemical sunscreens.
Avobenze
Is a UV filter that is an edocrine disruptor and produces toxic by-products in swimming pool water. Avobenzone exhibits breakdown when exposed to UV radiation and it is shown to function as an obesogen.
Fragrance
Fragrance is usually a combination of numerous ingredients, some of which can be allergenic and endocrine disruptive especially those like Citronellol, Geraniol, or Linalool, Limonene if they are not derived from pure essential oils. Also, phthalates are likely to be present. There are several different phthalates and some of them are possible carcinogens and hormone disruptors such as styrene.
Homosalate
Homosalate is a UV filter and has been found to increase estrogenic effects on human breast cancer cell lines.
Octisalate
Octisalate is a chemical sunscreen that is absorbed by the body and may effect human sperm function.
Octocrylene
Octocrylene is a UV filter found to increase estrogenic effects on human breast cancer cell lines. It is also associated with skin allergies and endocrine disruption as well as potentially having neurotoxic effects.
Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that’s used in skincare products to prevent bacteria growth. It is an ethoxyllated ingredients which means it can contain carcinogenic contaminate 1.4-dioxane and residual ethylene oxide. Studies have shown it may affect ovarian function as well.
Polysorbate
Polysorbates are ethoxylated ingredients that may contain 1.4-dioxane and ethylene oxide. These contaminants are carcinogenic and can contribute to reproductive, developmental, and endocrine effects, as well as DNA damage.
Tetrafluoropropene
Tetrafluoropropene is a propellent used in spray cosmetics and is a type of PFAS which slowly breakdown and accumulate over time. PFAS have been linked to increase in cholesterol, immune system effects, cancer, thyroid disfunction and effects on infant birth weights.
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Butyloctyl Salicylate has been known to be an endocrine receptor binder. It is chemically structured similar to octisilate which is absorbed by the body and may effect human sperm function.
Going Beyond Beauty
Sustainability
Vacation uses eco‑smart propellants (low global‑warming potential) and recycled‑material packaging, reflecting a commitment to mindful environmental design .
Giving Back
Vacation partners with charitable causes and supports sun‑safety awareness via its advisor Dr. Elizabeth Hale and campaigns, though details on direct philanthropic programs are limited in public materials.
Cruelty Free/ Vegan
All Vacation products are fully vegan and Leaping Bunny certified cruelty‑free.
Certified Organic
Vacation is not certified organic.
Parent Company
Vacation is not owned by a parent company.
Manufactured
Vacation’s products are formulated and manufactured in the United States.
Final Rating:
While Vacation is definitely receing a 100/100 for their branding, they are receiving a 0/100 for their ingredients. With quite a few ingredients highlighted for their allergens or toxicity levels, we have given this Brand a red heart. We believe there are better brands out there that can provide quality sunscreens with minimal toxic ingredients.
At this time we would not recommend this Brand.
Read our Other Blog Post: Chemical vs Mineral Sunscreen