Neutrogena fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock Review

I like Neutrogena products, and the idea of a spray sunblock with a cooling effect sounded absolutely fabulous. I saw this "fresh cooling body mist sunblock" with 45 protection and put that right in the basket.

At the beach, I tried to read the directions. Note to self - take magnifying glass next time. I could not read much with small navy blue print over silver. Oh well, what's there to know about sun sprary? Then again . . .

I was in a booth in the bathhouse and thought I'd spray up before exiting. That was not a good idea. Neutrogena spray makes fumes like you would not believe. Good thing I had my bathing suit on. I tumbled out of that changing booth right fast and was coughing and gagging. Out on the beach - no problem. Don't spray in an enclosed area though, or you will think you've been gassed.

On the beach, this spray was dandy. It smelled good - not too heavy. The sand did not stick to me (which I hate). It did have a nice cooling effect. Very nice on a hot day.

I'm medium as far as skin tone. I'm usually fine with 15 block. I went with this stronger rated block of 45, since I've not been out in the sun much this year and since the North Carolina beach sun is pretty intense. So, I was thinking I was very well covered.

I did reapply this spray even though it says "waterproof" right on the front in letters I can read. It seemed to me that it washed off in the ocean. To be sure, I sprayed after swimming.

After we got home from the beach I noticed my back and legs felt bad - a little bad. I checked in the mirror, and . . . yes . . . sunburn. By the time I went to bed, I was really hurting. Or I thought I was. Really hurting was the 7 hour drive home the next day sitting on my sunburned legs. It was so bad that after 4 hours of sitting, I kneeled in the floorboard and put my head on the seat where I fell asleep humped up like that. I hoped the police would take pity on me about the seatbelt if we got stopped (which we didn't).

Neutrogena sunblock would be just fine - if it worked. I can't imagine what I'd want with sunblock that does not block.

I am sitting on a pillow as I write this review. I took a picture which I most carefully cropped to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. The burn looks worse in person than in the photo, but you'll see what I mean.