Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF 100 with Active Max Protect review

Quick Summary:

Date Tested: 02/23/2022

In this review, I test the Sport Performance SPF100 from Banana Boat. Full disclosure though, this sunscreen was lost and forgotten sitting around in my closet for several years before I found it just recently. It is most likely a very expired bottle of sunscreen (since the copyright date says 2010), but I cant find any real expiration date. A quick google search shows that it has since been replaced by a similar product by Banana Boat with a “Sport Ultra” designator. Either way, I was intrigued by the label which touted that it protects 99% of “Burning Rays” (I assume they mean UVB rays since UVA rays are typically blamed for aging). Thats a big claim!

99% UV blocking is a big claim!

It is a chemical based sunscreen which uses the typical trifecta of chemical blockers, Avobenzone 2.5%, Octocrylene 8%, and Oxybenzone 3.5% (other formulations will use slightly different percentages however).

Part of me thought I should just toss the sunscreen into the trash because it was a discontinued product and not available anymore, but another part of me wanted to see if the claim of being 99% effective at blocking UV held true…even after being expired. So I prepared the sample and ran a 2 hour test. The results did not disappoint! This particular sunscreen has an SPF 100 rating and despite being over 10 years old was still able to block out 99% UVI.

This Banana Boat Sport Performance sunscreen reduced the UVI by 99.71%, reduced UVA by 99.79%, and reduced UVB intensity by 98.36% (being just .64% from 99 is negligible in my opinion). Given that the sunscreen is 12 years old, this result is fantastic!

Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF 100 ingredients


Active ingredients: Avobenzone 2.5%, Octocrylene 8%, and Oxybenzone 3.5%

Inactive Ingredients:
Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrated Silica, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sodium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Beeswax, Acrylates C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Methylparaben, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Stearoxy Dimethicone, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Phenylisopropyl Dimethicone, Polyglyceryi-3 Stearate/Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Crosspolymer, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice.

Manufacturers Website: www.bananaboat.com

Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF100 characteristics at a glance:

  • Wont run into eyes
  • Organic (chemical) sunscreen classification
  • States that it “Protects from 99% of Burning Rays”
  • Very sweat and water resistant
  • Viscosity is good.

Prepared slide ready for testing

The Banana Boat Sport has a watery consistency, not too thick or too runny.

Below are the results from 2 hours of testing in my UV testing station.


Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF 100 UV blocking test results

test results
Sunscreen Testing Results. The blocking ability for UVA, UVB, and UVI are shown above as percentages.

Ultraviolet light quick reference:

UVA: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 315nm – 400nm. The “Aging UV light” – Causes wrinkles.
UVB: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 280nm – 315nm. The “Bad UV light” – Causes skin cancer.
UVI: The global sun UV index. The more a sunscreen can reduce the level of UVI, the better.


Banana Boat Sport with Active Max Protect test results:

Ultraviolet sensor readings:

Before Sunscreen After Sunscreen % UV Blocked
TEMP 73.23 73.56
UVA 29071.5 60.5 99.79%
UVB 1390 22.75 98.36%
UVI 17.0 .05 99.71%

Want to know more about how I test sunscreen? Head here to read about the details.

Testing notes:

The Banana Boat Sport Performance with Active Max Protect Broad Spectrum SPF100 performed exceptionally well despite being around 12 years old. Its formulation implements a chemical approach to blocking ultraviolet light and still provides strong broad spectrum protection (UVA and UVB). The formulation consistency is good and is geared towards a more water saturated or sweat producing environment where high activity is expected. I am unsure if this would be a good daily use sunscreen but for those days out at the beach, this sunscreen passes the test. I am actually very impressed with this sunscreen. Ill need to test more Banana Boat branded sunscreen to see if the rest of their product lineup performs just as well.

Want to try the Banana Boat Sport sunscreen? Unfortunately you cant buy it anymore 🙁

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Powerful UV protection but this particular formulation has since been discontinued. The one I tested was about 12 years old!


Disclosure: the Amazon link shown is the only affiliate link I am sharing on this post. I will earn a commission if you click on the amazon listed product link and place an order (at no cost to you). I do not collect any personally identifying information. Every little bit helps to keep this site up and running, I do appreciate it!

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