Let's talk sunscreen

[Pembo]

With fair skin, I'm a sunscreen worshiper. I use one of the Neutrogena lotions for myself and then use a spray sunscreen to make sure I didn't miss a spot. The problem is staining! We used Bullfrog last year and my bathing suit is yellowed from the sunscreen.

What brand do you use? Do you get the staining?

I read that Target brand is really good but the odor was awful! I like sunscreens that don't smell.

So tell me about your sunscreen????

 

[Shmily1]

We've used Coppertone Sport since I had DS22 and it is great! They've never had a sunburn any time we've used it and we are now on the next generation. It smells great (tropical) and doesn't leave stains. It's the best thing I've found for staying on even in water.

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

I have banana boat sp 110 for DS. It is spray can, plus they have a good deal at Target right now!

 

[girli565]

The Target Sport spf30 is one of the highest rated sunscreens and at $6-8 for a two pack, it's cheap. I've never had a problem with staining.

For my face I use Aveeno spf70 face sunscreen.

 

[Princess Dolly]

Some of the chemicals in sunscreen could be doing more damage to your body than the sun itself. You have to be so careful. And the spray stuff is the worst. It usually has the worst chemicals and not only are you putting it on your skin you are breathing it in as well.

I usually check this site: http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/?gclid=CMTBydLEm7ACFYFo4AodViIoaQ

Right now I am using Coopertone Water Babies Pure & Simple, which is rated a 2 on the site (the lower the number the better). After I am done with that I have Kiss My Face, which is rated a 1, to try out.

 

[NotUrsula]

Almost all sunscreens will yellow lycra to some extent, but sprays can also damage the elasticity. The trick is protecting the suit from the sunscreen.

I initially apply the sunscreen before I put the suit on. When I spray I use my beach towel to "mask" my suit, tucking it into the edges so that the spray doesn't get on the suit. (I wear expensive supportive suits, so after the first $120 I blew by ruining one with sunscreen I learned my lesson.)

If you are putting on a white coverup, be sure that the sunscreen is completely dry before you put it on; normally it won't stain once it is fully absorbed.

IME, BullFrog and Ocean Potion are the worst for permanent staining.

 

[RooRach0906]

I had a problem with staining not only my suit but if I had a shirt coverup towel or anything that touch the sunscreen after I washed it, it would be orange... i lost many clothes I loved because of that... turns out it was the iron in the water mixing with the ingredient AVOBENZONE and turning clothes orange.

Here is a blog about it

http://alphamom.com/your-life/beauty-style/preventing-removing-sunblock-stains/

I now go to Target look at there store brands find one without it in it that is also for kids and use it for myself and DD, before when I didnt live in an area with high iron in the water (city water) I always used Aveno sunscreen the lotion and spray and LOVED IT!!!!! I am also fair skinned and it worked the best!! Before that tho I used Coppertone Spectro3 the white bottle and it worked great even got me tan but sadly it isnt on the market anymore.

 

[Pesky]

For DH and I, we use the Up & Up (Targt) brand sport spray sunscreen. Cheap, highly rated and effective. I haven't noticed a problem with staining. For face and for the kids (who have super sensitive skin), I use Vanicream sunscreen which is what the dermatologist recommended after DD's chemical burn from another sunscreen.

 

[mrsklamc]

When we went to Discovery Cove they provided Panama Jack sunscreen because it's the only one they consider safe for the dolphins...

I typically just get what is cheap/ on sale.

I wonder if the new one...maybe it's neutrogena....that they advertise as 'wet and clear' would be less prone to staining...though when I saw it I thought 'who cares if sunscreen goes on white rather than clear?

 

[LuvLDM]

I like Banana Boat Kids SPF 50. It's a very thick lotion & very water resistant.

We live in Arizona where the sun is brutal & we are fair skinned so a good sunscreen is imperative.
I don't care for any of the spray sunscreens, they are convenient to use but they don't go on evenly IMO.

 

[hmdavid]

When we went to Discovery Cove they provided Panama Jack sunscreen because it's the only one they consider safe for the dolphins...

I typically just get what is cheap/ on sale.

I wonder if the new one...maybe it's neutrogena....that they advertise as 'wet and clear' would be less prone to staining...though when I saw it I thought 'who cares if sunscreen goes on white rather than clear?

I buy this at our local SeaWorld. It costs a little more but it smells sooooo good!

 

[rflorek]

I would stick with a lotion. If you ever watch someone who uses spray sunscreen, watch how much of your money just drifts away in the air due to the aerosol. You spray so much to cover your skin, but a lot of it also drifts off in a cloud. Too much money wasted for me.

Personally, I use Neutrogena 100+ SPF on my face, a minimum 50 SPF lotion on my body, 50 SPF lip balm, and a 30 SPF scalp spray. I have done this for 2 summers with a minimum 5 hours spent tanning/swimming each time & have not burned, no staining or elastic damage to my swimsuits, and maintained a nice tan throughout the summer & beyond.

 

[LastminuteLouLou]

I have a question....

I read about the hazards of chemical sunscreens and switched to ones with physical barriers 2 summers ago. They were SO thick which made it more difficult to put on.....and to scrub off. Is that just the nature of the beast or are there other physical sunscreens that are better? I'm working with two kids who really don't want to have it applied at all. Ease of application is a significant deciding factor for me.

Beth

 

[LuvLDM]

I would stick with a lotion. If you ever watch someone who uses spray sunscreen, watch how much of your money just drifts away in the air due to the aerosol. You spray so much to cover your skin, but a lot of it also drifts off in a cloud. Too much money wasted for me.

Personally, I use Neutrogena 100+ SPF on my face, a minimum 50 SPF lotion on my body, 50 SPF lip balm, and a 30 SPF scalp spray. I have done this for 2 summers with a minimum 5 hours spent tanning/swimming each time & have not burned, no staining or elastic damage to my swimsuits, and maintained a nice tan throughout the summer & beyond.

May I ask what type/brand of scalp spray sunscreen you use & where do you purchase it? I have been looking for a product to use on my 3 yr old, she burned right along the part in her hair.
I've been just rubbing lotion on it but it's hard to shampoo out, I would love a product made specifically for the scalp!

 

[Princess Dolly]

I have a question....

I read about the hazards of chemical sunscreens and switched to ones with physical barriers 2 summers ago. They were SO thick which made it more difficult to put on.....and to scrub off. Is that just the nature of the beast or are there other physical sunscreens that are better? I'm working with two kids who really don't want to have it applied at all. Ease of application is a significant deciding factor for me.

Beth

Hmmmm, the less harmful sunscreens are usually minerally based, thus the physical barrier. And I agree they are thick and harder to rub in and get off. The tradeoff for me is that I also know I am not exposing my largest organ, which soaks up everything, to something that could be harmful.

From the site I linked before, here are some decent non-mineral options, but they all still contain at least one sunscreen chemical considered to be a potential hormone disruptor.: http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sun...t-beach-sport-sunscreens-non-mineral-options/

 

[Pembo]

I used to use BB and didn't notice the staining. Maybe we'll have to switch back. I've found using the spray to be more effective than lotion, especially with my kids.

Keep your suggestions coming....right now I'm leaning towards Austrailian Gold or Blue Lizard, if I can find them...

 

[luv2sewtjr]

We use Australian Gold and clear zinc brand sunscreens. I have a dd that is very sensitive to sunscreens and we have had no reactions to those brands. Both are difficult to find in my small town, so I order from drugstore . com.

We use the lotion to start our day and the spray for reapplications.

 

[Colleen27]

We've been using Badger's lavender-scented sunscreen. DD3 has very sensitive skin and not only does this one not irritate her, the different, non-sunscreeny scent made it easier to explain to her that it wasn't the same thing that made her itch or that burned on already-irritated patches.

 

[bridget]

I have a question....

I read about the hazards of chemical sunscreens and switched to ones with physical barriers 2 summers ago. They were SO thick which made it more difficult to put on.....and to scrub off. Is that just the nature of the beast or are there other physical sunscreens that are better? I'm working with two kids who really don't want to have it applied at all. Ease of application is a significant deciding factor for me.

Beth

From someone that has had multiple skin cancers (starting at age 32) and melanoma, I use Coppertone Pure and Simple. It really works well! My children hate sitting still to get sunscreen put on, but we've spent 2 weeks in the Bahama's and Florida in June, then were in the Carib. for 9 days this spring, and nobody gets burned. I've tried everything and it works the best at preventing sunburn, and I like that it doesn't have all those chemicals.

For parts of the face, we do use a stick.

I also reapply about every 45 minutes.

 

[squirrel]

I use to use No-Ad sunscreen, until they added Disney characters to the bottle and shrunk the bottle and doubled the price.

I got a really great deal on some Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens with coupons and sales they were $3-$4 a bottle. I stocked up a few years ago and picked out the ones with the longest expiry date. I like the Hawaiian Tropic Sport 45. The dry block one was nice for my face (not oily at all) it smelled yummy, and the Banana Boat Kids 50 was good too. Didn't like the Hawaiian Tropic kids one (smelled like creamsicle) as much as the BB one.

I don't buy the spray ones. One I'm sensitive to any sprays and could have an asthma attack and I also don't like the feel of them. I've had parents send them for me to apply on their child, thankfully not recently. I remember one kind was clear and felt like shellac.