How much sunscreen to bring in summer?

[baseballnut]

We're flying and only bringing carry ons, so I have to pack the 3oz tubes of sunscreen. We will be there in July for 7 park days, including the waterparks. How much would you think we'd go through per person? (It's me, DH and DD3, and we each have our own sunscreens)

Because of our limited space, I'd rather not being way too much, since we have lotions and hair stuff and other liquids. Do you think 2 for dd and 1 each for us would suffice?

Thanks much!

 

[epsmith921]

I would probably bring 2 each minimum since I wouldn't want to use it sparingly and wind up burned.

Sorry if you read my originally typed response - I didn't catch you said you all use different types.

If you're worried about running out and not having the brands you want could you ship some to the resort to yourself?

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Have you looked into shipping some to yourself? I think this would be the best way to go! You can order online (Walmart, Amazon, etc) and have them shipped to the resort. That way you will have enough when you get there and not have to worry about the 3oz bottles on the plane or buying them at WDW.

 

[baseballnut]

Have you looked into shipping some to yourself? I think this would be the best way to go! You can order online (Walmart, Amazon, etc) and have them shipped to the resort. That way you will have enough when you get there and not have to worry about the 3oz bottles on the plane or buying them at WDW.

That is a great idea! Duh. Forgot about doing that. Thank you!!!

 

[JenMarie82]

If you were considering having any food or drinks delivered through Garden Grocers at all, I believe sunscreen was something you could add when I checked into it.

 

[NotUrsula]

Do you think 2 for dd and 1 each for us would suffice?

Obviously, your answer to getting it there is to order it online and ship it to yourself. However, I have to address this part of your question: NO.

6 oz of sunscreen probably won't even be sufficient to prevent sunburn for one full day at a waterpark if you are not used to Florida summer sun. The CDC recommends using a full liquid ounce per application for proper protection, and to reapply at least every 90 minutes when getting wet.

I'd suggest a full bottle this size for each of you for each day you will spend in a waterpark, plus at least one other bottle each to cover the rest of the days. I would also strongly suggest getting a couple of wax sticks for your faces and the part in your hair -- wax formulas are less likely to run into your eyes.

 

[Crl1817]

Make sure you have lots and lots and lots of sunscreen. I agree to ship it to yourself. But the other thing I want to mention is sunscreen stick. My kids prefer it, especially for their faces because they don't like the cold feel of lotion. I would take some sticks in carry on.

 

[baseballnut]

Obviously, your answer to getting it there is to order it online and ship it to yourself. However, I have to address this part of your question: NO. 6 oz of sunscreen probably won't even be sufficient to prevent sunburn for one full day at a waterpark if you are not used to Florida summer sun. The CDC recommends using a full liquid ounce per application for proper protection, and to reapply at least every 90 minutes when getting wet. I'd suggest a full bottle this size for each of you for each day you will spend in a waterpark, plus at least one other bottle each to cover the rest of the days. I would also strongly suggest getting a couple of wax sticks for your faces and the part in your hair -- wax formulas are less likely to run into your eyes.

Yowza! OK, thank you. Good to know. We don't seem to go through a full big tube (not even close) each summer around here, in Near Detroit, with spending at least 7 days outside at the pool or beach.

And wax sticks? What are these? ::runs to Google::

 

[baseballnut]

Make sure you have lots and lots and lots of sunscreen. I agree to ship it to yourself. But the other thing I want to mention is sunscreen stick. My kids prefer it, especially for their faces because they don't like the cold feel of lotion. I would take some sticks in carry on.

Do you have a preferred one? We used one before, kind of in a tube like a glue stick, and it was SO hard to put on. I felt like I was going to rub DD's face off!

 

[Crl1817]

Do you have a preferred one? We used one before, kind of in a tube like a glue stick, and it was SO hard to put on. I felt like I was going to rub DD's face off!

We go through a lot of sunscreen as the kids and I use it everyday all year around. I feel like we have tried every stick that gets a decent EWG. (environmental working group) rating. Our favorite is purple prairie. The stick itself is wider than most which makes it faster to apply (hate trying to use a Chapstick size stick to cover a squirming toddler) and it rubs in much easier than most. I order it directly from the purple prairie website. My second choice, which is more widely available, is california baby. I haven't checked their EWG rating this year but it is usually quite good. And you can typically find it at target or on Amazon.

Another resource for sunscreen recommendations is the Safemama blog, she usually puts out a sunscreen cheat sheet.

The other thing for water parks is rash guards. Better than sunscreen at preventing sunburn, IME, and makes applying and reapplying much easier as you don't have to cover as much skin. I usually buy the kids' at Lands End. I always get long sleeves.

 

[epsmith921]

Yowza! OK, thank you. Good to know. We don't seem to go through a full big tube (not even close) each summer around here, in Near Detroit, with spending at least 7 days outside at the pool or beach. And wax sticks? What are these? ::runs to Google::

Near detroit? Me too!! It's funny we go through a ton now with our daughter and we got burned last year out at the belle isle Grand Prix so we've been better about applying. I did have to start labeling ours though with a date then we opened them since my husband and I just don't go through it very fast. At disney last September I started slathering some of my daughter's stuff on my arm though since I felt like i was burning.

We also use the face stick stuff on our daughter and lotion on the rest of her. For Grand Prix this year I put her lotion on her before even dressing her. We use spray (neutrogena) on ourselves and then I found a neutrogena sport face one for my husband. He's one of those michigan guys wearing shorts when it's 50 out so when it's 80 he's a puddle! Oh and we are pretty darn fair skinned.

 

[Crl1817]

There is some concern about the safety of sunscreen sprays. This NY Times blog post has quite a bit of information about sunscreens and may be of interest: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/the-new-rules-for-sunscreen/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

 

[baseballnut]

Near detroit? Me too!! It's funny we go through a ton now with our daughter and we got burned last year out at the belle isle Grand Prix so we've been better about applying. I did have to start labeling ours though with a date then we opened them since my husband and I just don't go through it very fast. At disney last September I started slathering some of my daughter's stuff on my arm though since I felt like i was burning. We also use the face stick stuff on our daughter and lotion on the rest of her. For Grand Prix this year I put her lotion on her before even dressing her. We use spray (neutrogena) on ourselves and then I found a neutrogena sport face one for my husband. He's one of those michigan guys wearing shorts when it's 50 out so when it's 80 he's a puddle! Oh and we are pretty darn fair skinned.

Ha, I actually put sunscreen on myself at the Grand Prix this year, too! I always put it on dd but rarely myself. But now DH is on meds that make him more susceptible, so we make sure to.

 

[baseballnut]

There is some concern about the safety of sunscreen sprays. This NY Times blog post has quite a bit of information about sunscreens and may be of interest: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/the-new-rules-for-sunscreen/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Interesting. Thanks for sharing!

 

[NotUrsula]

There is some concern about the safety of sunscreen sprays. This NY Times blog post has quite a bit of information about sunscreens and may be of interest: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/the-new-rules-for-sunscreen/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

I've always figured that no product is guaranteed to be safe, but as someone with a major family history of melanoma, I know exactly what cumulative sunburns will do.

In my family's case, spray sunscreen makes the difference between getting burned and not getting burned, because they will hold still and take time for the application of spray, but hate the hassle and feel of lotion, so they make every excuse that they can to "forget" to reapply it when it needs to be rubbed in. I take that calculated risk. I use the spray and apply it like cheap latex paint: LOTS of it, visible on the skin until it dries. I always keep a clean washcloth handy to hold over faces, so that it doesn't get breathed in.

Oh, and that wax stick you used that didn't spread easily? That was because it was too cold. Trust me, it will go on easily if you are carrying it around in summer heat in Florida. (You don't need to actually rub it in, just coat the skin with it. The kids formulas often go on brightly colored and fade out in 10 minutes or so, which makes it easier to cover properly.) Don't forget to do the tops of their ears; they burn easily and are one of the more susceptible spots for tumor formation.

 

[Crl1817]

I've always figured that no product is guaranteed to be safe, but as someone with a major family history of melanoma, I know exactly what cumulative sunburns will do.

In my family's case, spray sunscreen makes the difference between getting burned and not getting burned, because they will hold still and take time for the application of spray, but hate the hassle and feel of lotion, so they make every excuse that they can to "forget" to reapply it when it needs to be rubbed in. I take that calculated risk. I use the spray and apply it like cheap latex paint: LOTS of it, visible on the skin until it dries. I always keep a clean washcloth handy to hold over faces, so that it doesn't get breathed in.

Oh, and that wax stick you used that didn't spread easily? That was because it was too cold. Trust me, it will go on easily if you are carrying it around in summer heat in Florida. (You don't need to actually rub it in, just coat the skin with it. The kids formulas often go on brightly colored and fade out in 10 minutes or so, which makes it easier to cover properly.) Don't forget to do the tops of their ears; they burn easily and are one of the more susceptible spots for tumor formation.

Totally your call on spray. I find many people are unfamiliar with the issues and it's easy enough to provide a quick link in case anyone wants to know about it.

We use sunscreen everyday and live in a cooler climate. The TruKids stick was very difficult for us to apply in comparison to other stick products. My ten year old very much dislikes the white effect, possibly partly because he is Asian so it stands out quite a bit, which is an important factor in daily use sunscreen and compliance. We apply as we walk out the door before school each morning and even ten minutes of white effect is not okay with ds and since it is easily avoided by product choice, that's what we do.

We are always careful to do tips of ears and noses as I worked for a dermatologist long ago and am familiar with both the areas that get forgotten and the particular difficulty of removing cancerous moles from certain locations.

 

[mm1971]

The article on the spray is very interesting. I forwarded to DW as she and the kids like the spray. I have always liked to use lotion as I find it easier to just apply first thing out of the shower and reapplying only where needed later in the day only takes a few minutes.

As a family of 4, we usually go through one large bottle of the cream and at least 2 sprays in week at Disney. We usually bring one of each and them just buy any additional that we need while there (we budget for it since we know we'll need it). It makes it easier and less that has to be carried.

Over a summer, we go through a ton of sunblock since we are always on a sports field or doing outdoor activities.

OP, I would say you will need at least 3-4 tubes per person. I would suggest, as others have, just ordering online and having it shipped to your resort.

Have a great vacation. We'll be there the last week of August.

 

[baseballnut]

I've always figured that no product is guaranteed to be safe, but as someone with a major family history of melanoma, I know exactly what cumulative sunburns will do. In my family's case, spray sunscreen makes the difference between getting burned and not getting burned, because they will hold still and take time for the application of spray, but hate the hassle and feel of lotion, so they make every excuse that they can to "forget" to reapply it when it needs to be rubbed in. I take that calculated risk. I use the spray and apply it like cheap latex paint: LOTS of it, visible on the skin until it dries. I always keep a clean washcloth handy to hold over faces, so that it doesn't get breathed in. Oh, and that wax stick you used that didn't spread easily? That was because it was too cold. Trust me, it will go on easily if you are carrying it around in summer heat in Florida. (You don't need to actually rub it in, just coat the skin with it. The kids formulas often go on brightly colored and fade out in 10 minutes or so, which makes it easier to cover properly.) Don't forget to do the tops of their ears; they burn easily and are one of the more susceptible spots for tumor formation.

We pretty much just use spray for her hair and part, since dd has curly hair that's thin. Otherwise I feel like I'm wasting it; that I use less if I use a lotion

As for the stick, I'll have to try a new one. The ones that look like deodorant shaped look easier.

Thanks!

 

[baseballnut]

Totally your call on spray. I find many people are unfamiliar with the issues and it's easy enough to provide a quick link in case anyone wants to know about it. We use sunscreen everyday and live in a cooler climate. The TruKids stick was very difficult for us to apply in comparison to other stick products. My ten year old very much dislikes the white effect, possibly partly because he is Asian so it stands out quite a bit, which is an important factor in daily use sunscreen and compliance. We apply as we walk out the door before school each morning and even ten minutes of white effect is not okay with ds and since it is easily avoided by product choice, that's what we do. We are always careful to do tips of ears and noses as I worked for a dermatologist long ago and am familiar with both the areas that get forgotten and the particular difficulty of removing cancerous moles from certain locations.

Yep, I got burned on my ears when I was younger so I definitely pay attention to applying there! Thanks!

And I had no idea some had a white effect. Hmm.

 

[baseballnut]

The article on the spray is very interesting. I forwarded to DW as she and the kids like the spray. I have always liked to use lotion as I find it easier to just apply first thing out of the shower and reapplying only where needed later in the day only takes a few minutes. As a family of 4, we usually go through one large bottle of the cream and at least 2 sprays in week at Disney. We usually bring one of each and them just buy any additional that we need while there (we budget for it since we know we'll need it). It makes it easier and less that has to be carried. Over a summer, we go through a ton of sunblock since we are always on a sports field or doing outdoor activities. OP, I would say you will need at least 3-4 tubes per person. I would suggest, as others have, just ordering online and having it shipped to your resort. Have a great vacation. We'll be there the last week of August.

Thanks for the tips! Yeah, we talked and figured we'll just buy more there as a planned expense. I just we all used the same brand. I guess DH and I could...

And thanks! Enjoy your trip, too!