Question about Sunscreen

[la37]

I burn very easily. Usually after a couple of hours in the sun unprotected, I will blister. My mother gets sun poisoning if she is in the sun unprotected. I usually buy sunscreen of 30 or higher that is sweatproof. With all that being said, My mother,my neice and I will be on the Wonder in May. Now I realize that the sun is much stronger in the Bahamas than in Kentucky.

My question is what is a good sunscreen to use for my family considering our sensitivity to the sun? I have heard if we go over 30, it does no better than 30. Is this true? Does anybody know?

Any recomendations on sunscreen would be greatly appreciated? We really do not want to burn on the first day and then be miserable the rest of the trip.

 

[American Scrapper]

I have heard the same thing about SPF 30 or higher. I think the key is to just constantly reapplying. One more thing, when I was in Hawaii, several locals and employees indicated that sweatproof, waterproof sunscreen is not all that safe in a stronger sun. Something about the water you would usually sweat stays under the skin and causes heat blisters which are more painful than sunburn. I was told just to keep applying sunscreen more often than usual. I don't know how true this is, but haven't taken the risk.

Kathy

 

[CM_Mom]

Also be sure to take a HAT with a big brim to shade your face and neck. I didn't and found myself shopping for one quickly. You can burn your face very easily and the Caribbean sun is brighter that it is back home... and for me home is Texas.

 

[tvguy]

I always use SPF 45, I have heard it doesn't give you a lot more protection than SPF 30, but I never burn and I buy the generic brand "No Ad" and the price is the same for 30 and 45.

 

[scrapperjill]

Bullfrog...is a great brand, Aloe Gator is another good brand...they are both waterproof sunblocks...that alot of suffers use.

 

[mhelsley]

I went in to my doctor and told him i wanted not even the hint of a sunburn and he recomended Total Block and informed me this is what he tells his photo sensitive patience to use. Also keep in mind to give it time to soak in. I always put on a good base coat after i get out of the shower. I then reapply when we get to the beach and then i wear a light sun protective top and then reapply though out the day. I was one of the first ones off the ship got a hammock and then spent time in the water and at the waters edge talking(full Sun). Then i had lunch and went back to the ship to reapply and drop off my beach bag and then back off for my jet ski tour(more full sun). Well on our return beaches getting very empty time to return to ship. Result i'm fair skinned and even with good sunscreen use i still get some but not this time on return skin didn't even feel warm. Drawback it is pricey it can be found at amazon and drugstore.com

 

[debtman7]

I'm a big fan of the bullfrog spray. Much easier to put on the kids if that's a factor. We used it on our trip to Hawaii, found that it lasted hours easily, even in water and did the best job of protecting us out of anything we've tried. Even better, it's non greasy and dries almost instantly.

 

[yogibigdog]

Try washing your clothes in Rit Sun guard. I read it here on one of the tip boards.
From the Rit dye website:
Rit Sun Guard is a revolutionary new laundry additive that washes sun protection into clothing and helps block more than 96 percent of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from reaching the skin.
It tells you were you can buy it on there website.
Have fun

 

[TootyJane]

I buy Coppertone "spray on" sunscreen at Costco. It has an SPF of 30. I like the fact that you don't have to rub it in. My advice: apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before you go out in the sun and as American Scrapper said reapply it constantly. I am fair also so I usually apply every 1-1-1/2 hours. HTH

 

[la37]

Thanks for all the replies. I will have to look at the Wal-mart the next time I go to see what they have available. I will also check out the Rit website. The combination of the Rit and sunscreen should really help. I can't wait to go and try it out!!