Slightly OT: best sunscreen recommendation for use at WDW

[Wadecool]

With that being said, I can tell you what not to use. Hawaiian Tropic Suntan Oil, SPF 2 hastily applied only once--worst sunburn of my life. I was in high school and have never forgotten. It was a painful learning experience, and I don't care what kind of sunblock I use--Coppertone, Banana Boat, Generic, a total body SPF swimsuit. As long as I'm not burned at the end of the day, I'm happy.

Although I think Hawaiian Tropic suntan oil is one of the best smelling fragrances on Earth, I'm not dumb enough to put it on now. However, I was dumb enough in my early 20's (back when I was invincible) use it all the time and I paid the price several times with nasty sunburns. That stuff is the equilivent of putting on cooking oil.

 

[jnfr2424]

Funny I love Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen SPF 50 works great for me

 

[DustyPixie]

Good thread, and I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. I use a medication that makes me more sensitive to direct sunlight, so I'm always on the look-out for the best sunscreen protection when we go to Florida.

 

[nu2dvc]

Another vote for the California Baby... this is the ONLY sunblock that my 3-yr. old son doesn't get a rash from, and we have tried many. He is super-sensitive. Yes, it's thick, expensive, and leaves a blue-ish hue on your skin, but it's worth not getting a skin reaction IMO.

 

[erosenst]

IF you're concerned about the things mentioned in the EWG article (and I firmly believe it's a personal decision) many people (including our family) make a compromise and use Coppertone Pure and Simple. It's rated a "3" on the 10 point scale (1 is best) rather than "7" as many/most are. Not as good as the 1 or 2 of California Baby, Blue Lizard, etc - but readily available and more reasonably priced. Even though it's got zinc oxide, it rubs in relatively easily. Perhaps most importantly, it doesn't give DD (7) a rash - something every other sunscreen other than Aveeno Baby does.

 

[ZoZo]

I'm a big fan of Neutrogena products, especially their sunscreen sprays. Now this year, they have a spray that you can apply to wet skin! Perfect for the waterparks.

 

[squirrel]

I swear by Coppertone Kids Continuous Spray. The one in the green bottle. It is SPF 50, goes on clear, and is pretty much instantaneously effective. The past two summers I have used this on my whole family at the pool. I don't put it on until we get there, just spray it on, have the kids stand still for about 2 minutes while it dries, and they're off and running. Knock wood, nobody has been sunburned the past two seasons! (I do reapply, of course.)

It goes on clear and we have not had a problem (yet!) with staining.

That is the one kind I really dislike. It's like shellac. I also have asthma and avoid any misting type bottles (hairspray, sunscreen, etc.)

I guess that's why there are so many kinds out there. Everyone likes something different.

 

[hughjulia]

I discovered Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-touch Sunblock. You can't even feel it after putting it on. I hate the sticky feeling I used to get with other sunblocks.

I second this recommendation.

I'm as white as a fish's belly, and this sunblock works well for me. It doesn't have an oily or greasy feel. It doesn't clog my pores, and more importantly it doesn't sweat off right away.