Let's talk sun protection while on the cruise!

[Conorama]

Nozone is the company we use (I think they sell in the States too) - they have great stuff for kids too, including great hats to wear in the water (with the long backs). We've had body suits for our DS since he was 9 months old and the hats. They are very durable, so worth the cost for us.

I do top up though, with less expensive stuff. I have to shop around for long-sleeve rash guards - so when I find them, I buy a bunch. (Old Navy and Gap make them.)

 

[Silverfox97]

Based on this article I bought No-Ad lotion with aloe & vitamin E SPF 45

Consumer Reports says its the best and its pretty inexpensive. Like everyone is saying apply early and often.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57443073-10391704/consumer-reports-rates-top-sunscreens-for-2012/

Yes. The dermatologist I worked for recommended No Ad SPF 30 or 45 for adults (too many chemicals for kids) and used it himself! He did recommend face sunscreens for the face so that it wouldn't cause breakouts. Sometimes it can be found at Sam's Club.

We gave Blue Lizard samples as well.

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[Wenawen]

I am really particular about the smell of sunscreen. Any unscented sunscreen out there? I have sensitive skin and can't really handle smells.

 

[crundell]

Hats, rash guards, and sun block. I like neutrogena wet skin kids and neutrogena clear face. Both of these also come in 3oz bottles so they are ok on your carry-on if you fly. I know a lot of people swear by the spray on sunblock but be careful with that as I guess you aren't supposed to rub it in and some have gotten very sunburned by using it and rubbing it in.

 

[suffieldhockeymom]

I purchased these for our trip last summer. http://www.amazon.com/Sun-Protectio...s/dp/B001TIZCPK/ref=pd_ys_sf_s_3760901_b2_2_p

I washed our clothes in this http://www.amazon.com/Sun-Guard-Laundry-Treatment-Protectant/dp/B0000Y3F6W/ref=pd_sim_bt_1

I also bought dry-fit sports shirts from Target or Walmart instead of rash guards and washed them in the UV clothing protectant. None of us got sunburnt while in the Bahamas snorkeling all day.

I brought 1 can of coppertone kids/sport for each day, a bottle of hair and scalp spray and 1 bottle of baby faces for the trip.

 

[ariel fans]

Am I missing something? I am going cruising to lay by pool and get tan, if I want to vacation with no sun go on a cave expidition!

 

[Meeshell78]

I learned the hard way not to try a new sunblock on the cruise. My daughter always tans and I can put any kind of sunblock on her and she doesn't burn... Or so I thought. We woke up the 2nd morning and she had a small rash on her stomach, legs and face. Next day after Benadryl and Cortisone cream it was worse. Next day I realized it was the sunscreen as it was in the shape of her suit. The intense sun made it worse and we bought a DCL rash guard (about $50)!!! By the day we want home, she was almost all better. Just be careful, luckily she wasn't too miserable, but don't chance it.

 

[aprilchem]

Am I missing something? I am going cruising to lay by pool and get tan, if I want to vacation with no sun go on a cave expidition!

Yes, you are. Many, many people don't tan, either out of concern for their health or a desire to not look old at an early age.

 

[Silverfox97]

Am I missing something? I am going cruising to lay by pool and get tan, if I want to vacation with no sun go on a cave expidition!

As a surgical inpatient oncology nurse, I have seen and taken care of several young people in their 20s & 30s with advanced stage melanoma. My DH went to a funeral for a friends hubby - died at 29 - melanoma all thru his internal organs. Sad. When I worked in a Derm office, I saw tons of skin cancer. I prefer to protect myself and my family. Most people are out there tanning; we are in the minority that's for sure. Why not protect us from something we can control?

I'm not lecturing anyone - it's just a choice I make for myself & my family. I live in FL & have a pool in my back yard; sunscreen is part of my everyday life

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[rentayenta]

Do not use the wal-mart brand equate I got severely burned last year. We are using banana boat this time.

I did too! I'm a Coppertone girl.

 

[rentayenta]

As a surgical inpatient oncology nurse, I have seen and taken care of several young people in their 20s & 30s with advanced stage melanoma. My DH went to a funeral for a friends hubby - died at 29 - melanoma all thru his internal organs. Sad. When I worked in a Derm office, I saw tons of skin cancer. I prefer to protect myself and my family. Most people are out there tanning; we are in the minority that's for sure. Why not protect us from something we can control?

I'm not lecturing anyone - it's just a choice I make for myself & my family. I live in FL & have a pool in my back yard; sunscreen is part of my everyday life

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I was a huge sun worshiper until 2 years ago when I was dx with a stage 0 melanoma; melanoma insitu (?). Scared the heck out of me. I grew up on the beach and did a lot of damage to my skin. Now I get checked every 4 months.

 

[Meghatron]

I am really particular about the smell of sunscreen. Any unscented sunscreen out there? I have sensitive skin and can't really handle smells.

We use California Baby Super Sensitive (No Fragrance). It's SPF 30, rubs in well and works for everyone in the family with our myriad of skin issues and hormone sensitivity to chemicals.

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[sweetpee_1993]

We are (mostly) fair-skinned redheads. The rashguard shirts are great but something is needed for what those don't cover. Last year we tried some barrier and mineral sun protection. We like the Thinksport Livestrong and Coolia. Both are kind of thick going on but last a looooot longer/better than the common stuff you find at Target like Coppertone Sport. The Thinksport I know you do not have to apply ahead of your exposure because the zinc oxide is an instant block. Wanna know how well it lasts? Hubby & I applied it, swam for several hours, hung out outside sweating, and never reapplied. When we got back on the ship & showered I had to scrub down my body twice to feel like I got it off. It really does last and offer good protection.

Definitely try new-to-you products before your trip! My sis-in-law found out early on their Oasis of the Seas cruise that she is allergic to something in budget-type sunscreens. Her lips were swollen and she broke out in hives. Not a fun way to spend a trip.

 

[oliverdj]

Hi all! I recently purchased the banana boat spray SPF 110. Used it this past weekend while at the waterpark for 5 hours. It works, no sun burn, no rash, just a nice tan

Of course I reapplied ever 60-90 mins & also used the face baby balm SPF 50.

Try it for yourself!

 

[reimero]

I burn at the drop of a hat (I like to joke I'm a vampire.) I also haven't yet burned on a Caribbean cruise, because I've been careful. Like most others here, a lot of it is common sense: get a good sunscreen and apply early and often. I prefer the mineral-based ones, personally; I've had fantastic luck with them. I also wear a hat and sunglasses whenever I go out, and use SPF lip balm. Hat-wise, something is better than nothing, and wide brims are preferable. I've gone with an Australian-style hat with the one side brim folded up, and I recently got an Adidas wide-brimmed hat that works wonders.

One word about hats: I strongly recommend getting a hat with a chin strap. The wind out there can get pretty strong, and you don't want your hat blowing away.

 

[anna08]

Dad's a dermatologist. Says the absolute best products with least irritation are ones with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (as did a dermatologist on GMA last summer.) You've got to read the labels. Very few products have these ingredients. I'm super sensitive to sunscreens so I feel for the kiddos with reactions.

We switched to using Neutragena Pure and Free Baby when it first came into production and I LOVE this stuff. Never gotten burnt wearing it, rarely have to re-apply. The best part - you can get it in your eyes and it does not burn! This is really helpful with kids!

We all wear it (adults and kids) and it comes in a stick and a lotion. It's not cheap but every once in a while Target will have a little freebie pack where you get a purse sized tube with the regular size and it's a little better. I've gotten so many friends to switch to this product and they quickly realize how great it is.

 

[SapphireMind]

I don't go in the sun much. I got too many 2nd degree burns when I was younger, despite suscreen. And even now, I burn very very very easily.

My family teases me, but since I am the one with the least amount of skin cancer in the family (unfortunately I've have some removed, but not nearly as much as my mom and sister) I go with what I am comfortable with. I don't like feeling constantly paranoid about whether I am burning because that ruins the time in the sun almost as much as the burn itself. So I avoid the sun in general, if I do go out in the sun, I wear a zinc oxide/titanium dioxide sunscreen, hat, and then I also wear a long-sleeved, higher necked UV blocking swim shirt and swim tights under my suit. Then I just have to worry about my hands, feet and head.

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

Thanks....we r going on a cruise to the western Caribbean and sunburn in a major concern of mine....I appreciate all the asvice

 

[boettmb]

We just got back from a western cruise a couple of weeks ago and I put Coppertone kids 50 on my kids. That stuff is like paste! Nothing got through that stuff. My husband even used it on his face. Great stuff!

 

[ariel fans]

I don't go in the sun much. I got too many 2nd degree burns when I was younger, despite suscreen. And even now, I burn very very very easily.

My family teases me, but since I am the one with the least amount of skin cancer in the family (unfortunately I've have some removed, but not nearly as much as my mom and sister) I go with what I am comfortable with. I don't like feeling constantly paranoid about whether I am burning because that ruins the time in the sun almost as much as the burn itself. So I avoid the sun in general, if I do go out in the sun, I wear a zinc oxide/titanium dioxide sunscreen, hat, and then I also wear a long-sleeved, higher necked UV blocking swim shirt and swim tights under my suit. Then I just have to worry about my hands, feet and head.

Guess you avoid the nude beaches lol