Sunblock?

[cflood78]

My parents are from Ireland, so you can just imagine my sun tolerance level. What strength sunblock, and brand should I bring for a week in Orlando July 11th - 18th. How often should I put it on each day? Thanks for any insight.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I'm not Irish, but I'm just as fair skinned as an Irishman. I don't EVER tan. And when I burn, it's not red. It's just this awful pink color. Looks like I bathed in Pepto Bismol.

I bought an SPF 60 at Target - Hawaiian Tropics brand. Here it is at Walgreens.com:

http://www.walgreens.com/store/prod...128&skuid=sku600115&navAction=push&navCount=1

It says it's for babies, but they have an adult formula, and it's EXACTLY the same. My fiancée just prefers the way the baby stuff smells.

 

[lenshanem]

We have been using -

Coppertone Sport rub free spray SPF 30, waterproof. It is in a blue bottle.

We have used this the last few years and it is like a miracle! My girls are both very light with blond hair and they have never been burned with this!

I love it cause you can just spray it on, no need to even rub it in! It also is very light. You don't feel it!

It is hard to find, but worth the looking. Walmart does carry it and I recently saw it at target. When we find it both my Mom and I stock up. I just recently bought about five bottles of the stuff. It is like gold to me. Even Good Morning America just mentioned it as one of the top sunscreens.

One note - WDW does carry the other version of this in the spray lotion. It is heavier and you can feel it on the skin, plus you have to rub it in. We had to buy a bottle of it last trip cause i didn't pack enough of the good stuff and I was bummed!

 

[jiminyml]

Very convenient, and it lasts a long time. Waterproof and sweatproof. I usually baste myself in the hotel room before the start of my touring, and I'm all set for the day, unless I get REALLY wet on something!

 

[iceskatejen]

I third the Coppertone Sport, but I go with the spf 48. I'm pale with red hair (lots of Irish in me) and I burn through a 30 in a few hours. I hate to reapply, though I will on my legs and arms. It's kind of hard on my face if I have make up on, so I like to go with something strong to begin with.

 

[lenshanem]

We also put it on before we head out to the parks in the morn and it lasts all day long.

 

[SkylarKD]

My fiance is a pharmacist, and he says Ombrelle is the best sunblock on the market. It's not greasy either. Pretty expensive, but I burn easily and hate greasy lotion, so it's worth it! Just remember to use a lot of (any brand) sunscreen or it won't be effective. I have to cringe when I see people only putting on a tiny dab. You're supposed to use at least a tablespoon for your whole body.

Whatever you buy, make sure it protects against UVA and UVB rays.

 

[wannabebelle]

I recommend Coppertone Sport as well. There's also a brand called Bullfrog that I've heard lots of good comments on. I bought some a couple of weeks ago, but I haven't used it yet.

You should really reapply every 2-3 hours if you're out in the sun. I know that's inconvenient, but better than the pain of a burn or the devastation of a melanoma diagnosis. This comes from one who was diagnosed with Stage III melanoma at the age of 24 (I'm now 28). I'll take the inconvenience of sunblock any day!!!!!

 

[msr709]

I'm also fair skinned and burn rather than tan until I bought the Sunblock from Estee Lauder and its companion After Tan lotion. While it is more expensive it works like a charm. It protects you and yet you tan without the burn and the after tan lotion "boosts" the tan. I've got very sensitive skin and I get a bad reaction from the over-the counter products like Coopertone and Hawaiian Tropic so I looked online for hyper-allergenic [sp?] products and found the Estee Lauder, I can't remember the name but its the only tan lotion that Estee Lauder sells. HTH. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[Sandy Feet]

Another vote for Coppertone Sport. We use spf 30 but just got spf 48 to try out. Applied 2x daily at least. We all love it because it doesn't feel greasy. My son's nose is always burning because he "forgets" to put it on when he's out. He does use the stick version tho and its very discreet for him to swipe his nose!

 

[sugermouse]

Another vote for coppertone sport in the spray. BTW, you can buy the 10oz size at COSTCO for $7.00. Never seen a lower price. We buy spf30 for DW for the first half and once we tan we switch to spf15.

 

[NotUrsula]

According to the FDA, SPF factors of anything over 30 are kind of moot, as the amount of difference at that point is miniscule. The new labeling law will require that anything that claims more than 30 will only be able to labeled 30+.

If you are really fair, go for a fine-mist spray, such as the Coppertone already mentioned, or the Hawaiian Tropic Ozone Sport spray (I love the sprayer design on that one, very easy to handle.) If you have sensitive skin or hate fragrances, Neutrogena also has a spray. The reason that spray is better for us red-haired Irish types is that it is painless to reapply it, and people like us should reapply *every hour*. The spray goes on white, but fades clear as soon as it dries (takes about 3 minutes); that way you can be sure you didn't miss any spots. Titanium oxide is an ingredient you should look for.

For your face, ears, etc., I recommend Neutrogena or HT wax stick. It stays where it is put, and will not run in your eyes.

 

[DizBelle]

Ok, I give up. Where can you buy Ombrelle sunscreen?

 

[mobes_jk]

Since we're on the topic of sunblock, I want to mention something I make sure to do with mine... One of the most annoying sunburns I've ever had was one on my scalp. The part in my hair was not something that I remembered to cover with sunscreen, and that was all that burned. It didn't help much that it was peeling off and itchy for my wedding a few days later!! Just something to think about!

 

[SkylarKD]

My fiance works at Shoppers Drug Mart (Canada), and we get it there. I would imagine pharmacies in the States would have it. Ombrelle is a L'Oreal product, but I can;t find it on their U.S. website, so I've emailed a pharmacist friend in the U.S. to find out. I'll let you know.

Canadian site: http://www.ombrelle.ca/

 

[Zoo Keeper]

No matter what sunscreen (SPF) I put on my DD's face she gets that red raccoon look. Yes, she's 50% Irish. She's 12 and has very oily skin so I don't want her to breakout from something oily. And she will not wear anything opaque (can't blame her)

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[bytheblood]

Originally posted by SnackyStacky
I'm not Irish, but I'm just as fair skinned as an Irishman. I don't EVER tan. And when I burn, it's not red. It's just this awful pink color. Looks like I bathed in Pepto Bismol.
QUOTE]

What a great sense of humor you have. That is funny.

 

[Lovetherodent]

I've found the sunblocks with similar SPFs don't always offer the same level of protection. I like to look for those with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide rather. THey seem to protect better for me. Coppertone has an SPF 50 with zinc oxide. (Spectre?) It's in a white bottle.

As for how often to put it on . . . I lather up in the hotel and then every 3 hours or so after that. Others have reminded you not to forget any exposed patches of scalp. That's good advice.

 

[corinascot]

Ombrelle is not available in the US b/c it contains an ingredient (mexoryl) not approved by the FDA. It's a fabulous sunscreen. We order ours from Canada along with another suncreen that contains mexoryl, Anthelios L. They're expensive, but we have very fair skin and it's worth it. I don't know why the FDA hasn't approved mexoryl. Every other country in the world uses it.

I use sunscreen everyday. You should apply in 30 minutes before you go out in the sun. Really pile it on. We used to reapply sunscreen every few hours, but we don't seemed to have to do this with Ombrelle (unless we swim or sweat alot). We apply twice/day.


We spend the extra money b/c we have to. I think if we had darker skin tones, I'd go with the cheaper American sunscreens.

We order our sunscreen from www.feelbest.com. There have been some national news stories lately about mexoryl, so sunscreens containing it have been popping up on ebay alot lately too.

Corina

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by Zoo Keeper
No matter what sunscreen (SPF) I put on my DD's face she gets that red raccoon look. Yes, she's 50% Irish. She's 12 and has very oily skin so I don't want her to breakout from something oily. And she will not wear anything opaque (can't blame her)

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Have you tried the spray-on sunscreens? I've read lots about the Coppertone spray, but I use BullFrog. (I don't know if it's better, someone just suggested it when I was reading about sunscreens 2 years ago )

I put it all over my face and scalp, and I can't even feel it.