Let's talk sunscreen

[momto28weeker+1]

Tru kid sunny days sport is what we use. It is a mineral, non chemical uva/uvb sunscreen. It was on the EWG's website as a safer sunscreen. It is so easy to apply and does not make you white like a zinc ghost(my kids' phrase). We used to use Waterbabies pure and simple 50 but my kids hated the white ghost effect. It did work well and was pretty safe on the EWG's website. We will not use sprays because of all of the harsh chemicals.

 

[Tiger926]

FDA is in the process of working on relabelling sunscreens, as is our Canadian health department, as there is so no industry standard for sunscreen at this time, and there is a huge issue with SPF inaccuracies.

That being said, we use a variety of good quality sunscreens: California Baby, Kinesys, Neutrogena, Loving Naturals.

We do not use regular store brands as they are full of chemicals and can be very harmful to skin: Hawaiian Tropics, Coppertone, Banana Boat, etc. are rated as very toxic for the skin.

We also do not use spray on sunscreen - horrible stuff! Very smelly for those of us with allergies! We hate these, and can't stand the fact that so many parents spray these around Disney without any concept of those of us standing around who may have an asthma attack thanks to the harsh chemicals and scents in these awful products.

We reapply often, we apply before we go outside as to soak into skin, and use sticks for nose, ears and toes, so as to accurately cover sensitive areas, that are usually very sun exposed.

We spend good money on sunscreen, as it's important to be properly covered! Check out www.ewg.org for a great website on safe sunscreen products.

Tiger

 

[mickeys friend]

I have had so many clothes turn yellow from sunblock and I have tried alot of different brands and still have this problem.I've stood on towels and put it on and made sure it was dry before getting dressed and still,have this problem.Once it stains,you can't get it out.I've tried so many things to try and get the stains out and nothing has worked yet.I hate this problem.Years ago I never had this happen,then once it started,I haven't found anything to help at all.I spend alot of money every summer between sunblock ( try different brands ),new clothes to replace the ones that turned yellow and also all the different things that say they will take it out,but don't.If anyone know of a brand that doesn't turn clothes yellow,please share and also if anyone knows how to get the stains out of clothes,also share.Wonder why sunblock didn't stain things years ago?

 

[LittleFlounder]

I have had so many clothes turn yellow from sunblock and I have tried alot of different brands and still have this problem.I've stood on towels and put it on and made sure it was dry before getting dressed and still,have this problem.Once it stains,you can't get it out.I've tried so many things to try and get the stains out and nothing has worked yet.I hate this problem.Years ago I never had this happen,then once it started,I haven't found anything to help at all.I spend alot of money every summer between sunblock ( try different brands ),new clothes to replace the ones that turned yellow and also all the different things that say they will take it out,but don't.If anyone know of a brand that doesn't turn clothes yellow,please share and also if anyone knows how to get the stains out of clothes,also share.Wonder why sunblock didn't stain things years ago?

I have the same problem with sunscreen staining my clothes! In the summertime, I love wearing lacey, white cotton tops and I own many of them... but so many have been stained by my sunscreen! Its very frustrating to spend so much on clothes I love, only to have them stained by sunscreen! I've taken to wearing my white tops without sunscreen and just hoping I don't get sunburned!

 

[herdtoDisney]

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.

I second this product! I am a letter carrier so I am outside hours a day. I have used this brand for years. I have sensitive skin and dislike fragrances, and this product does not irritate my skin. It stays on really well, being so thick.

I won't even use the spray sunscreens. Have had bad experiences with them, bad coverage and they sweat off quickly.

For my face, I use the Equate (walmart brand) spf 50 for faces. It's a little pot of zinc oxide-very simple. It doesn't irritate my face at all and doesn't burn when I sweat. It goes on like elmers glue but once it dries it sticks.

 

[cel_disney]

We are huge fans of blue lizard sunscreen! It's the right balance for me between chemically safe and protective. We use the baby/sensitive for most days and the sport for water days (it's one of the most water resistant ones). He sport version has more chemicals so we don't use it everyday..

We also use the copper tone pure and simple sunscreen which goes on pretty easily, is very easy to find, and is much less expensive than lizard...

 

[floridascgirl]

I couldn't find Blue Lizard by mid-summer last year and ended up having to get it online. However, I saw it last week at Walgreens, CVS and Target, so I went ahead and bought 2 bottles. It's a solid block containing zinc, but for those who cannot get sun, it the best!

 

[wishesuponastar]

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.

Thank you for that website. I thought No-ad had good reviews from what I heard but that website rates it at a 7 yikes! I will get the Coppertone pure & simple that you suggested.

 

[wishesuponastar]

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.

I'm sorry that you have had skin cancers, and so young too. I just looked at Walmart for the Coppertone P&S and they have it for $8.97 8 oz bottle, that's a dollar cheaper than Toys R Us price.

 

[ceecee]

I just read the article on toxins in sunscreens as well. K-Love radio station had a link so I looked it up. Mineral oil and Zinc based are supposed to be the best, no sprays or powders? We used Zinc Oxide on our faces when I worked for DeKalb as a teen, we were out in the cornfields most of the day and got a LOT of sun, never once got a burn with that stuff.

 

[StephMK]

Most of the time we use Coppertone P&S, if not, it's Coppertone Sport. I, am so pale, as are my younger two, and we stay just as pale when we wear it. DD gets sun poisoning really easy but did not get it with this sunscreen. It stays on well & doesn't irritate our skin.

 

[momto28weeker+1]

I just read the article on toxins in sunscreens as well. K-Love radio station had a link so I looked it up. Mineral oil and Zinc based are supposed to be the best, no sprays or powders? We used Zinc Oxide on our faces when I worked for DeKalb as a teen, we were out in the cornfields most of the day and got a LOT of sun, never once got a burn with that stuff.

TRU Kid is Mineral and zinc and rates a 1 on the EWG website.