Orange Gelée® Revival

The Orange Gelée®

A VACATION®
SUNSCREEN
COMPANY
ENDEAVOR

THE ORANGE GELÉE® STORY

One of the world's oldest sunscreens, Orange Gelée® traces its origins to Paris in 1926, when hairstylist Monsieur Antoine first trademarked his iconic orange-tinted sun gel. Originally designed to help the wearer achieve a “French Riviera Tan," it became synonymous with leisure culture, glamour, and indulgence — adored worldwide throughout the 1960s, '70s, '80s, and '90s, eventually produced by now-discontinued brand Bain de Soleil® (French for "sun bath"). Known for its distinct balm-to-oil texture, luxurious feel, enviable shine, and intoxicating scent, Orange Gelée® was discontinued in December 2019 — to the dismay of devotees all over the world.

The Orange Gelée® Revival Project was a joint initiative between Vacation® and fans to bring a revived version of the beloved product back — an endeavor that was launched in summer 2024 to widespread acclaim.

Bain de Soleil® is a registered trademark of Bayer, and Vacation® Inc. has no affiliation with Bayer or the Bain de Soleil® trademark.

Shop Orange Gelée® Sunscreen Gel

THE PROCESS

WE ASSEMBLED A TEAM OF ORANGE GELÉE® FANS & EXPERTS

From lifelong users, to homemade dupe experts and even celebrity fans, we’ve assembled a panel of Orange Gelée® fans and experts to help guide our redevelopment process.

THEN, WE BEGAN DEVELOPING A REVIVED VERSION OF ORANGE GELÉE® TOGETHER

The team has been working alongside Vacation® in the product development process to help determine the optimal revived formula, feel, scent, packaging and more.

SUBSCRIBERS RECEIVED PROJECT UPDATES (SEE BLOG BELOW!)

See blog for updates on the development process including updates on formula, packaging, release dates, and more.

WE RELEASED OUR NEW VERSION OF ORANGE GELÉE® IN SUMMER 2024

The revived Orange Gelée® product launched in summer 2024.

Shop The Completed Orange Gelée®

THE ORANGE GELÉE® ADVISORY BOARD

Esteemed Orange Gelée® aficionados and skincare experts who are assisting Vacation® in the product development process to bring back Orange Gelée® better than ever!

THE VACATION® TEAM

Katrina Virani

Former VP of Product Development, Vacation®

Dr. Elizabeth Hale

Chief Medical Advisor Vacation®, SVP Skin Cancer Foundation

Carlos Huber

Vacation® Scent Consultant, Founder of ARQUISTE Parfumeur

Marie Lodi

Orange Gelée® Project Reporter, Beauty & Fashion Journalist, and a Renowned Beauty Historian

THE Journey to GelÉE

Follow the historic story of the Orange Gelée® Revival Project through this complete archive of project blog posts and discover for yourself exactly how this iconic sun care product was reimagined.

Update #15
Introducing "100 Years of Gelée"

For over a century, Orange Gelée has captivated sunseekers with its distinctive look, feel, and scent — an icon of French Riviera luxury. To honor this milestone, Vacation® presents “100 YEARS OF GELÉE,” a month-long celebration featuring product launches, parties, and promotions.

Update #14
The Curtain Has Lifted: Meet Orange Gelée by Vacation®!

With that, the time is finally here! We are pleased to introduce Orange Gelée by Vacation®, the finished product born from a joint initiative between Vacation® and a panel of eleven Orange Gelée fans and modern skincare experts.

Update #13
How We Decided on SPF 30 for Orange Gelée by Vacation®

Making a sunscreen and figuring out its SPF can be a long and challenging process for any brand, but this specific project has its own set of nuances. The Orange Gelée Revival Project is about bringing fans into the journey, which means getting their valued input at every stage– including the SPF value!

Update #12
How We Developed the Scent of Orange Gelée by Vacation®

Taylor describes the original Orange Gelée as one of her “little pleasures.”

Update #11
Meet the Highly Awaited New Orange Gelée Advisory Board Member

Taylor describes the original Orange Gelée as one of her “little pleasures.”

Update #10
The Magic Behind Orange Gelée's Ingredients

Our vision for Orange Gelée by Vacation® was for it to be an homage to the original and inspired by its look, feel, and scent, but with a few modern changes.

Update #9
Orange Gelée’s Official Launch Date and What to Expect

Orange Gelée by Vacation® will officially launch on March 28!

Update #8
The Hunt for Orange Gelée

Like many other worthy legends, Orange Gelée has endured throughout its long, illustrious, nearly century-old history.

Update #7
Nostalgia In a Tube

Nostalgia is more than a warm, fuzzy feeling when you randomly come across an old toy you had as a kid or a movie you quoted all the lines from in high school.

Update #6
Board Member Breakdowns: Memories and the Vision for the Project

The first component of Orange Gelée we’re dissecting is intangible but important nonetheless.

Update #5
How This Historic Fashion Designer Inspired Orange Gelée

The storied past of Orange Gelée is quite an interesting one.

Update #4
What Makes Orange Gelée So Iconic?

Out of the thousands of sun care products that exist and have existed, Orange Gelée has always stood out from the rest.

Update #3
How the Orange Gelée Revival Works

There is so much love for the original Orange Gelée out there.

Update #2
Meet the Orange Gelée Advisory Board

The Orange Gelée Advisory Board is composed of notable dermatologists, industry experts, modern beauty mavens, and Orange Gelée superfans.

Update #1
Announcing The Orange Gelée Revival Project

We here at Vacation have been hard at work at what some may regard as the most exciting endeavor of the century: The Orange Gelée Revival Project.