Sun protection lotions/sprays?

[lexie32]

Please can someone recommend what sun lotions/ sprays i should buy, i usually buy some before we leave the UK but the brand i use is now ridiculously expensive and i'm sure US brands are just as good if not better!

There will be me and my Dh we usually start with a factor 30 then go down to a 15 we both tan easily and rarely burn, then there will be ds 2.5 i would like a high factor for him and preferably something waterproof that i don't have to reapply too often as he hates me doing this.

Thanks in advance

 

[sthnbell19]

Personally, I like the Neutrogena Brand spray

 

[Hillbeans]

Just be forwarned I had mine taken away from me because i had them in my carry on luggage and they were over 4 oz. - darn it!

Personally, I like the trigger spray lotion rather than the newer aerosol sprays. They are easy to apply but there is not much in the can, and DH got a rash from the sunscreen and he thinks it's from the propellent in the can.

I'd stick with Banana Boat or Coppertone water babies in the lotion or the trigger spray.

 

[ameraumi]

I love the Coppertone Sport Conitnuous Spray lotion. I hate messing with rubbing in sunscreen and the spray covers very nicely.

 

[goofy4wdw2]

I like Neutrogena (grease-free) lotion for myself. DH likes Coppertone spray, but I don't like it, I don't feel like it covers everything unless I rub it in to make sure. We use Bullfrong stick for DD's face and Baby Lizard lotion for the rest of her.

 

[Elmo888]

Whatever you buy, make sure that it has avobenzone, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. All 3 block UVA, but the USDA only rates SPF for UVB. Some sunblocks don't block UVA because they don't have one of those ingredients (these aren't the only ones, but these are the ones that are most common in the US). The titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are physical blocks that are good for sensitive skin (kids).

I like Neutrogena, too.

 

[nbodyhome]

Loreal has the best sunscreen, here is an article about it (before it was allowed here): http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/27/AR2005062701099.html

I am going to probably order it from Canada, that seems to be the consensus on Trip Advisor as to where I can get it the cheapest. It is called Ombrelle there, and Anthelios SX here.

 

[Elmo888]

Try pharmacymix.com - I've bought some from there 2 or 3 times. I always pay $5 more or so for the "express" delivery. I think that it is $11 vs $16 or something like that, but the time difference is worth it. And there is a difference between the SX and L (I looked it up once, but I can't remember). Canada could only sell one, but now they can have both or something like that (short term memory). Is that a lot of fuzzy facts for you? Maybe I'm not telling you anything useful. I did like pharmacymix.com - I hope that helps!

And the US just recently approved that Meroxyl, but it can be difficult to find (I've seen some at CVS, but it is only SPF 15).

 

[nbodyhome]

And the US just recently approved that Meroxyl, but it can be difficult to find (I've seen some at CVS, but it is only SPF 15).

Thanks for the recommendation! I'd asked on Trip Advisor about buying sunblock in Paris, since they sell it there (and have for a long time) and was told that Canada would probably be cheaper to buy it from online.

I've not seen the Anthelios here yet, I have seen it on Amazon - but Ombrelle in Canada does seem cheaper. I am SO glad it's approved here, I've heard about it for years and I have had pre-melanoma and want the best sunscreen I can get. I wear sun protective clothes a lot (they are wonderful and so light - people think they are warm but it's nice to not have jeans and such on, those are very heavy!) But I still need something for my face and hands. I wish it'd had been around here for years too.

 

[disney_fan_fam]

I recommend Coppertones Waterbabies it's in a pink bottle. It has an SPF of 50 and it's waterproof

 

[DonaldsDaisy]

My Pediatrician recommended Blue Lizard for DD. I haven't used it on her yet but bought plenty for our trip in 18 days. He said it was the only sunscreen he ever recommends.

 

[Elmo888]

Thanks for the recommendation! I'd asked on Trip Advisor about buying sunblock in Paris, since they sell it there (and have for a long time) and was told that Canada would probably be cheaper to buy it from online.

I've not seen the Anthelios here yet, I have seen it on Amazon - but Ombrelle in Canada does seem cheaper. I am SO glad it's approved here, I've heard about it for years and I have had pre-melanoma and want the best sunscreen I can get. I wear sun protective clothes a lot (they are wonderful and so light - people think they are warm but it's nice to not have jeans and such on, those are very heavy!) But I still need something for my face and hands. I wish it'd had been around here for years too.

Now that you mention it, I think that stuff at CVS is $30 or so, which is much more than the higher SPF stuff at pharmacymix.com (I usually buy 45 or 60). I think that I started reading about it and buying it last spring from pharmacymix. I'm glad that I could help!

 

[nbodyhome]

Now that you mention it, I think that stuff at CVS is $30 or so, which is much more than the higher SPF stuff at pharmacymix.com (I usually buy 45 or 60). I think that I started reading about it and buying it last spring from pharmacymix. I'm glad that I could help!

Just looking on Amazon, and the Anthelios is pricey - I don't need very high SPF, I think that 30 is the sweet spot on sunblock (after that, it's not that much more helpful).

Canadapharmacy.com has the Ombrelle, which is actually less expensive than the Anthelios, not sure why - I think they are the same product with a different name. 4 ounces for $10.49. Not cheap, but it filters more out than other sunscreens will will (they also have Ombrelle Extreme, with the addition of Titanium Dioxide). I mostly just need it for my face and hands, so it'd last me a while.

 

[hannah03]

I recommend Coppertones Waterbabies it's in a pink bottle. It has an SPF of 50 and it's waterproof

I love this stuff. The whole family uses it And it DOES have the ingredients mentioned by an above poster to block the UV rays

 

[ranthony]

Whatever you buy, make sure that it has avobenzone, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. All 3 block UVA, but the USDA only rates SPF for UVB. Some sunblocks don't block UVA because they don't have one of those ingredients (these aren't the only ones, but these are the ones that are most common in the US). The titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are physical blocks that are good for sensitive skin (kids).

This poster is exactly right! It doesn't matter if a bottle from the US says 50spf and costs you $50/bottle you are not getting complete protection from the whole spectrum. I've researched this quite a bit as we live on the water and spend so much time in the sun. I can only recommend Blue Lizard. It not only has one of the 3 key ingredients listed above (Zinc Oxide) but it has the highest percentage of it as an active ingredient that I've seen.

With a high spf you will not get sunburned, but the protection against harmful aging and cancer causing rays could be worthless. You won't see any damage...but it's happening. Look for something with the highest percentage of one of the ingredients listed above.

 

[nbodyhome]

Mexoryl offers better UVA protection than any other sunscreen. But that reminds me that I also need to get more sun protective clothing (not cheap, but I only have to apply that once a day). I don't like to go out much between 10 and 4 anyway, since nothing is 100% perfect.

 

[hollyb]

My Pediatrician recommended Blue Lizard for DD. I haven't used it on her yet but bought plenty for our trip in 18 days. He said it was the only sunscreen he ever recommends.

Thats intersting did he say why? I have never heard of Blue Lizard, where can I buy it?

Thanks

 

[jennz]

I haven't heard of Blue Lizard either, I'll have to check it out.

My family's favorite was Bull Frog but now we've switched to Kara Vita since it's not as greasy feeling. Both are absorbed into your skin better and are truly water-proof and rub-proof so they last all day. We use spf 30 and still tan.

You never know, though...we might be switching to BL!

 

[NotUrsula]

The thing is, the prices you are seeing in the UK are actually probably LOWER than the US prices for comparable product. The stuff is just spendy. The average for good sunscreen here is about $1.50/oz.; at today's exchange that would comparably be roughly GBP 4.50 for 175 ml.

If your child HATES having sunscreen applied, I would go with the most effective fine-spray product that you can find, plus a wax-stick for the face. The spray is more expensive, but IMO with a person who hates applying lotion, it is worth it, because if you are fair-skinned, it is the only way you will be able to use enough to protect adequately without a fight. Personally, I prefer the Coppertone Sport 30 spray; water-resistant, reasonably priced, not too heavily scented, and easily available. My fair-complected family of three goes through about 18 canisters of it in a week at WDW; we reapply every 90 minutes in sunlight. (We DON'T tan -- tanning is cooking the skin, and with skin like ours, that isn't good.)

If you want mexoryl, buy it at home; it really is cheaper. It is VERY hard to find here, and as previous posters have pointed out, horrendously expensive because it is scarce.

PS: I won't touch Waterbabies; it has too much scent for me, and I find it attracts insects.

 

[lexie32]

Thanks for all the great info, trust me the US is much cheaper, for the brand i usually buy Piz Buin i'm looking between £7.00 and £9.75 per 100ml (US $ 13.33 - 18.52) crossed fingers it goes on offer before we go!