Scouted: Vacation Reinvents the Classic Orange Gelée With a New Sprayable Formula
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When it comes to nostalgia-fueled, aesthetic-forward, and, most importantly, supremely effective formulas with a personality to match, no one does it better than Vacation. While sunscreen is imperative for skin health (including skin cancer prevention, of course), it was never a sexy category in the beauty space… that is, until Vacation hit the scene in 2021. With launches like the infamous Whipped Cream Sunscreen and its iconic Instant Vacation Browning Formula (a genius instant and transfer-proof bronzing formula supercharged with SPF 30 protection), there is not a single sun-care brand (or skincare brand, for that matter) cooler than Vacation. And, the brand’s penchant for infusing nostalgia and quintessential endless summer vibes into its ethos doesn’t stop at its packaging and marketing campaigns—it’s built into the formulas themselves.
In March 2024, Vacation dropped its own version of the beloved Orange Gelée by Bain de Soleil as a part of its Orange Gelée Revival Project. The original Orange Gelée, wildly popular back in the ’80s and ’90s, was formally discontinued in 2019 due to “limited consumer interest,” according to a statement from Bayer in the New York Post. Despite the (alleged) consumer disinterest, the century-old suncare icon has amassed quite the cult following since launching in Paris in the 1920s. When the product was taken off the shelves a few years ago, loyalists were paying up to $200 for a tube that was once just $10 at the drugstore.
Vacation keenly noted the gel’s enduring legacy (and very active fandom) and decided to revamp the iconic formula (with a bit more sun protection power) while keeping the same texture and scent as the O.G Orange Gelée (the O.G. O.G., if you will). The Orange Gelée SPF 30 Sunscreen Gel garnered a waitlist of over 16,000 customers at launch and sold out in just three days.
Now, Vacation has launched a sprayable oil counterpart of its original revamped formula of this timeless classic. The Orange Gelée SPF 30 Spray Oil is formulated with the same features everyone loves about the original: the glossy texture that seems to somehow camouflage skin imperfection and cellulite, the moisturizing veil it leaves on the skin, and, yes, the drool-worthy smell (a blend of bergamot, clove, saffron, patchouli, and sandalwood notes).
The sprayable counterpart, however, is designed with an elegant (and super convenient) “Continuous-Spray” delivery system for mess-free and even application every time that can applied to the skin seamlessly at any angle. The nourishing yet non-greasy formula is also more lightweight than the original jelly-like texture, so it’s great for those who prefer something a bit less heavy. It leaves a silky shine on the skin but feels less occlusive and is a little more breathable than its ‘balm-to-oil’ older sister.
The antioxidant and fatty-acid-rich spritz locks in hydration while fortifying the skin barrier—especially after sun exposure. Say goodbye to dehydrated and flaky post-sun skin. Whether you weren’t around for its first run in the ’80s and ’90s to discover why this beloved suncare hero is a venerable cult classic, or if you were there in the beginning and have been using the original for as long as you can remember, this Vacation spray oil version is a beautiful addition to any suncare lineup.
