2 days ago
Under $25 scores: AmazerBath Lotion Applicator
After spending all day under the sun testing the best beach wagons, I came home from the beach with an unusually warm and tingly back. Warm enough that at one point during the drive back, I thought the car seat heater was on.
Peeling off my thin button-up shirt, which I sadly put on too late in the day, revealed my upper back sporting a rather nasty shade of tomato red. Whoops! I should have listened to that nagging inner voice and reapplied sunscreen to the hard-to-reach area, but I had forgotten the sunscreen spray at home and didn't want to ask any of my colleagues to slather sunscreen lotion on my back with their bare hands.
Mine is a tale as old as time, or at least since people realized that, unless one is particularly limber, sunscreen application couldn't possibly be a wholly solitary endeavor — even to those without mobility issues.
Luckily, through the mercy of the solar deities, I found a solution that'll give me full back UV protection without relying on the kindness of strangers or risking the wrath of irritated loved ones. The $12 AmazerBath Lotion Applicator ensures that no part of your skin is left behind, at least when it comes to sun protection (or preventing ashy, dry skin in the winter).
AmazerBath Lotion Applicator
Never get sunburns or ask a stranger to put sunscreen on your back again. This budget applicator is the best one I've tested, and it helped me survive two weeks in the tropics. Scouring the internet (more specifically, YouTube) for a solution as I iced and aloe-d my increasingly stinging back, I watched content creator videos offering different techniques — including a questionable one that involves cling wrap — before settling on a roller applicator that one blogger said was among the best out there.
Plot twist: it wasn't. Just the opposite. It cost me $25 and gave me bupkis.
Luckily, Amazon's algorithm is pretty good at suggesting similar products, and the AmazerBath Lotion Applicator was at the top of my search results, sporting a 4.5-star rating and over 7,000 reviews.
The rest is history.
I'm not going to sugarcoat it: the AmazerBath Lotion Applicator takes some practice to use effectively. Maybe it's just me, or maybe I don't have as good hand-eye coordination as I thought, but it felt a little weird using an applicator to slather sunscreen on my back. My first few attempts were spoiled by uneven distribution and a few missed spots.
However, with practice, I finally figured out the best way to use the tool to my full advantage, even when there's no mirror to guide me (which is important when I'm communing with nature and don't have access to a full bathroom). Pro tip: There's no shame in using both hands.
Luckily, the AmazerBath Lotion Applicator has a long curved handle, a rubber hand grip and four bigger-than-my-palm washable pads, all of which make it more effective than the roller option that influencer made me buy, especially for hard-to-reach areas.
Rival applicators use a more porous foam, but AmazerBath uses a denser one to ensure that most of the sunscreen gets absorbed by your skin (not by the pad). This is especially important to me because I'm in the sun a lot, and sunscreen isn't cheap. Like others, however, this pad seems to work better with lotions and creams than spray mists.
This sunscreen applicator is also lightweight and travel-friendly. I brought it with me on my two-week beach holiday in the Philippines, and I barely noticed it in my carry-on or backpack when I was out on day trips. The handle sticks out, yes, but it's thin enough that it isn't a nuisance.
For an under-$25 score, you're getting four washable and reusable applicator pads, which should last you a while. I've been using mine for a month now, and I'm still on my first pad. At the very least, those will last you through the sunny months. And when you've run out, you can simply purchase the six-pack of replacement pads for around only $16.
Will the wooden handle last a while? Mine has been through more than its share of abuse, including getting stuffed in checked luggage, snagged by the roof of tuktuks, splashed with salty sea water and lots of sun exposure, and it still looks almost new. I'd say it'll last you long after you've gotten your money's worth.
The AmazerBath Lotion Applicator is a vital addition to your skin care arsenal, especially if you want to avoid sun damage this summer. Seriously, it'll change your life.
As for me, I'm happy to report that my back has fully recovered, and I've been burn-free since.
The following FAQs have been answered by MDCS Dermatology dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp.
Do sunscreen applicators work?
Do sunscreen applicators work?
The central upper back, according to Camp, 'is an area that is out of reach for most individuals. Inadequate sunscreen application to this or other areas can increase the risk of a sunburn.'
That's where a sunscreen applicator like the AmazerBath Lotion Applicator can be useful. 'Sunscreen applicators are similar to other lotion 'wands' in that they facilitate the application of lotions, creams or sunscreens to areas that are difficult to reach without the assistance of another person,' said Camp.
What is the easiest way to apply sunscreen to your back?
What is the easiest way to apply sunscreen to your back?
While sunscreen applicators come in handy, Camp insisted that the best way is still the traditional way. 'The best way to ensure complete coverage of sunscreen on your back is to ask another person to apply it,' he said. 'Make sure the sunscreen is rubbed in completely to avoid streaks of uneven application.'
Do you still have to rub in spray sunscreen?
Do you still have to rub in spray sunscreen?
Many people like the convenience of spray sunscreens because they think they can just spray sunscreen all over their skin and they're done. However, they're still risking burns by stopping there.
'Spray sunscreen should be rubbed into the skin to ensure complete and even coverage,' according to Camp. '[It] should not be sprayed directly on the face. It is recommended to use a lotion or stick sunscreen on the face; if spray sunscreen is the only type available, spray some into your palms and then apply it to your face.'
For this article, I consulted the following expert to gain his professional insights on proper sunscreen application.
Dr. Brendan Camp, double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors with many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products who ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
Testing writer Michelle Rae Uy boasts years of experience covering lifestyle products and writing product reviews. She recently tested and reviewed several beach gear and summer products, writing several of our guides, including the best beach wagons, the best beach umbrellas and the best beach towels. While testing this sunscreen applicator, she was also testing beach chairs, sunscreens and several travel accessories.
