Sun Bum is the sunscreen brand you see in every surf shop and drugstore, and its Mineral SPF 50 Face Stick has over 7,000 ratings on Amazon. Surfers on Reddit are split between fans and those who call it marketing.
This review covers how the mineral stick holds up in the water and how it compares with surf brand sticks.
What It Is: A Zinc Stick at a Drugstore Price
The Mineral SPF 50 Face Stick uses zinc oxide, a mineral that sits on top of your skin to block the sun. Sun Bum says it leaves a matte finish and that a white tint is normal. It has 80 minutes of water resistance.
Sun Bum makes several face sticks, so check the label. This is the zinc Mineral stick, not the clear Signature stick.
In the Water: It Stays Out of Your Eyes
The biggest win is your eyes. One surfer said the Sun Bum mineral stick is great, but warned not to use Sun Bum's regular rub-in face sunscreen, which ran into their eyes on the first duck dive. Another surfer agreed that the mineral stick is the only one they have found that doesn't end up in their eyes.
Owners say it stays on. One surfer said it doesn't come off, and another said they have to scrub to get it off after an hour or two.
Where It Excels
The Sun Bum stick shines for surfers who want a cheap, easy to find face stick. One surfer said it is not overly pricey, is reef friendly and works in high UV zones. Another said Sun Bum has worked very well for them in tropical water around 30 C.
Sun Bum also makes it easy to cover your whole body. One owner uses the face stick on their face and other Sun Bum products for the rest.
Where It Falls Short
It leaves you white. One surfer said it doesn't rub in, so you look pasty white for your whole session, though it feels great on their skin.
It doesn't last as long as the surf brands for some owners. One surfer said the Sun Bum stick lasts much less time than Vertra, though it still stays on fine for multi-hour sessions. Another rated Vertra and Headhunter above Sun Bum, which they called OK.
The scent gets mixed reviews. One surfer expected coconut and said it smells like bubble gum.
The "Is Sun Bum Just Marketing?" Question
You'll find this question in most threads where Sun Bum comes up. One surfer joked that they could be a victim of marketing. Another surfer burned after 5 hours with a Sun Bum stick, though that was the SPF 30 Signature stick, not this mineral stick.
Here's the take from owners: the mineral stick works for many surfers, but it isn't as long lasting as Vertra or Headhunter. It is a good value for sessions of a couple of hours.
Pro tip: One owner only buys Sun Bum from its own website because they have seen fakes on Amazon. If you buy on Amazon, check that the seller is Sun Bum or Amazon.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Face Stick if you want a cheap zinc stick that stays out of your eyes.
Look elsewhere if you surf very long sessions in strong sun, or if you want a tint instead of a white look.
Alternatives
The Headhunter SPF 45 Face Stick costs a little more and owners say it lasts longer. Read our full Headhunter SPF 45 Face Stick review.
The Vertra Ehukai Beige SPF 38 Face Stick adds a tint and has the strongest long session reports. Read our full Vertra Ehukai Beige SPF 38 Face Stick review.
Verdict
The Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Face Stick is a cheap, easy to find zinc stick that stays out of your eyes. It leaves you white and doesn't last as long as Vertra or Headhunter. For everyday sessions, it is a good value.