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Vacation Turned the Iconic Orange Gelée Tanning Gel Into a Gorgeously Scented Sunscreen

Plunk yourself in the French Riviera with this modern take on the iconic tanning gel.

By Claire Sullivan Plus Icon

Claire Sullivan

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May 16, 2024, 10:37am

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editors test and review Vacation's Orange Gelee sunscreen

WWD Shop editors review Vacation's Orange Gelée sunscreen in our New York City office. Captured with the Leica Q3 Camera. WWD/ Adam Mansuroglu

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Few sunscreens evoke the same sense of nostalgia and French Riviera-style summertime bliss as Bain de Soleil’s Orange Gelée. So when the sunscreen was discontinued in 2019, one of today’s most playful SPF brands, Vacation, embarked on a project to bring it back to life in a modern formula that honors the one that inspired it. Upon the April launch of Vacation’s take on Orange Gelée, our editors had to put it to the test.

After debuting in France in the mid-1920s, this iconic tanning gel quickly became a staple in Côte d’Azur beach clubs and eventually made its way onto the arms of stateside sun-worshipers in the 1940s. With its unmistakable, floral-citrus scent and unique balm-to-oil formula, it became synonymous with carefree days spent under the sun with a piña colada in hand.

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Orange Gelée enjoyed decades of fame throughout the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, bolstered by its association with sun-kissed icons like Pamela Anderson and Tom Ford.

When Orange Gelée disappeared from shelves in 2019, it left a void in the hearts of many sun-soaked souls — over 11,000 Bain de Soleil devotees signed a petition to bring it back. In short order, Vacation kicked off its Orange Gelée Revival Project, enlisting the help of lifelong Orange Gelée fans, perfumers, dermatologists, and more.

This April, Vacation released its revival of the Orange Gelée, with the product selling out online in three days. (Though it’s sold out again at Vacation and Nordstrom, you can snag a tube at Ulta.com right now.)

Our editors received advance samples of the tanning gel-turned-sunscreen in March and have been testing it since — read on for our honest review.

How We Tested Vacation’s Orange Gelée Sunscreen

Product tested: Vacation Orange Gelée SPF 30 Sunscreen
Testing duration: Three months and counting
Key ingredients: Shea butter, tamanu and coconut oils, vitamin E, and jojoba and maracuja
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, clove, saffron, patchouli, and sandalwood; all inspired by the original formulation
Editor testing and review notes: “What’s genius about Vacation’s take on Orange Gelée is that stays faithful to the original, with a balm-to-oil formula that nourishes the skin, thanks to key ingredients like shea butter and tamanu and coconut oils. Those with sensitive noses may find the fragrance a little strong, but otherwise, it’s a dead-ringer from the original formula, but with necessary SPF 30 sun protection.”

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Vacation Orange Gelée SPF 30 Sunscreen

Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

Buy Now at ulta $23

Price upon publish date of this article: $23

Vacation Orange Gelée Editor Testing Review

I vividly recall the allure of Bain de Soleil’s Orange Gelee in my teen years — I remember squirreling away my mom’s spare tube in my beach bag, hoping it would give my fair skin the glow I always longed for. The OG Orange Gelée only delivered a meager SPF 4, leaving me smelling grown-up but looking, well, sizzled. Fast forward to my days as beauty editor, and you won’t catch me outside with anything less than SPF 30 slathered on exposed skin.

What’s genius about Vacation’s take on Orange Gelée is that stays faithful to the original, with a balm-to-oil formula that nourishes the skin like a great moisturizer, thanks to key ingredients like shea butter and tamanu and coconut oils. But instead of SPF 4, it delivers the necessary SPF 30 for sufficient skin protection — Vacation’s take is a great sunscreen rather than a tanning gel.

While the scent may be divisive for some, reminiscent of vintage women’s perfumes with a powdery touch, for me, it’s pure nostalgia. Clove is the primary note that lingers in my nose, with warming musk and a touch of powder for a fresh effect.

Applied with fingertips, it melts seamlessly into the skin, leaving behind a soft, non-greasy finish that’s perfect for all-day wear. The gel imparts a subtle orange tint that enhances your skin’s natural tone without veering into carrot territory on fair skin types like mine. Unlike other sunscreen formulas, I don’t find myself running to the nearest skin to wash my hands after applying it.

The formula remains true to its roots, providing hydration and a hint of warmth, now with the necessary sun defense with its broad spectrum SPF 30.

Vacation Orange Gelée SPF 30 Sunscreen

Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars

Buy Now at ulta $23

Price upon publish date of this article: $23

Before you go, check out our list of the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin:

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Meet the Author

Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over six years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends and clothing brands. Sullivan previously used Bain de Soleil’s Orange Gelee sunscreen, and tested Vacation’s relaunch to review the product for this article.

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Vacation Turned the Iconic Orange Gelée Tanning Gel Into a Gorgeously Scented Sunscreen

Recent Articles by Claire Sullivan

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How We Tested Vacation’s Orange Gelée Sunscreen

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