Sunscreen- do the sprays really work?

[juliana_sd]

We just finished our first bottle of spray sunscreen. While I liked it and it worked great, 1 bottle does NOT go a long way. One bottle lasted my family less than 3 weeks!!! A bottle of the lotion lasts practically all summer!! I could not believe it this afternoon when the bottle was empty!!

A can of spray lasts me and DS only a few days! A big bottle of lotion lasts us a week or so if we're using it every day. The recommended "dose" is a full ounce per application if you're doing your whole body.

The spray is great to get hard to reach spots but if you are spraying in a bathroom it gets hard to breathe pretty quickly. We usually do lotion in the morning and spray when we need to reapply.

 

[disneytriplets]

I did find that when the spray got on white clothes, it created an orange stain that would not come out. When I used a bleach pen on it, only some of the stains came out.

So that's what caused the stains!!! My boys have a few white shirts that are really stained and I thought something happened when we washed our clothes at Disney! One was a brand new shirt too. I think I'm going back to the lotion sunblock.

 

[dwdreamer]

I bought the Target spray for our upcoming trip and don't really care for it. My son went to a water park, he was there for less than 3hrs and came home sunburned. We've gone to water parks and spent the entire day and never had a problem with the lotion, usually reapply once or twice a day. He also complained that it stung and was sticky. I think for our trip Ill keep the travel size lotion in the fridge each night and wrap it in a frozen washcloth in a baggie for in the park.

 

[JennG]

I know there are lots of different sprays out there. I want to know if you are using the spray lotion OR the spray that's clear. I've seen both out there by same manufacturers (Coppertone, Banana Boat), and just wanted to find out which one everyone is using. I just like to hear everyone's experience with both.

DH and I have used the clear spray on by Banana Boat Sport and Neutrogena. DH can go through one can in 2 applications !

Looking forward to hearing from everyone
Thanks!

 

[TheRatPack]

I read last year that you're supposed to use 1 ounce per application of any sunscreen...per person. So as a family of 7, lotions go quickly...the sprays go a even quicker. I have 2 that break out in a rash with certain sunscreens so again, we have to stick to certain ones. On the beach though, it's nice to use the spray for reapplications, so you're not getting sand all stuck to your hands while you're trying to rub it in (great for us older folks who need a little exfoliation, not so great for tender toddler skin LOL).

I'd also be sure to read the label....most lotions require a full 20 minutes out of the sun after applying before it works. I've seen so many people that say they put on sunscreen but still get burnt....just because they didn't wait that 20 minutes like the bottle said.

 

[TheRatPack]

I know there are lots of different sprays out there. I want to know if you are using the spray lotion OR the spray that's clear. I've seen both out there by same manufacturers (Coppertone, Banana Boat), and just wanted to find out which one everyone is using. I just like to hear everyone's experience with both.

DH and I have used the clear spray on by Banana Boat Sport and Neutrogena. DH can go through one can in 2 applications !

Looking forward to hearing from everyone
Thanks!

The spray lotion requires that you still rub it in....I think? The clear continuous spray doesn't require any rubbing from my understanding. We use Banana Boat Quik Dri Sport Body and Scalp clear, no rub spray. It's not a continuous spray...it's a pump spray bottle but it works well for us.

 

[Minniemom97]

I agree with TheRatPack. We have a bottle of the Coppertone Sport spray lotion and we still have to rub it in. We've been using the Banana Boat (it's in a orange translucent pump spray bottle) and I love it. Not sticky or greasy. Still use a stick or cream on the kids faces/ears.

Don't know if you have Big Lots store in your area, but ours had it for $3.50 a bottle (it's around $7.50 at Wal Mart).

 

[kt_mom]

I bought several cans of the aerosol spray type last summer before our trip. I remember I loved one of them becasue it really did spreay continuosly like aerosol hairspray. But the other one didn't. It was thicker and required you to rub it in so I quit using it.

But I loved the kind that sprayed continuosly because it was so easy to use. I put it on DD in the mornings before we left for the park and again before getting in the pool and she didn't get burned once.

I don't burn very easily so I put lotion on my shoulders and face and same for DH. DD tans pretty quickly too, but I just don't want to take a chance so I cover her pretty good.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

Banana Boat Sport, spray - silver/orange/blue can. it goes on clear and does not need to be rubbed in. We also tried Banana Boat spray for kids last year, and hated it. It needed to be rubbed in, if I'm going to do that, then I'll buy the cheaper bottled stuff.

this is the stuff I love!

http://walgreens.hs.llnwd.net/e1/dbimagecache/406577.jpg

 

[lillygator]

that is all we use now...no getting it on your hands - it works great!

 

[Juliegirl1]

Definitely make sure you apply it over your whole body. I am extremely fair and went to the beach this past weekend. I usually apply it (I use Coppertone Sport Continuous Spray 30SPF) before I put my swimsuit on for even coverage. Somehow I did the right side of my legs, the back sides, and the left side of my legs but missed a lovely little stripe right down the shin!

My legs look like candy canes this week!!!!

I also missed one tiny spot on a shoulder and I can vouch that this stuff works - when you get it in the right places!!! I like the Sport version because it dries quickly and I don't feel sticky (it goes on dry) and sand doesn't seem to stick to me at the beach.

Also be sure to keep it away from your sunglasses - it does leave a film that is hard to remove.

 

[Juliegirl1]

Oh yes - I would also reapply it several times a day if you are out in the sun all day - especially if you are going in the water.

 

[Blessed99]

Yes it works even on us very very fair skinned! I use Bull Frog, IMO its the best, does not leave any sticky residue.

Kelly

 

[allison443]

My SIL just returned from 2 weeks in Hawaii with her kids (poor things!) and used the spray the whole time and loved it. I'm debating trying it when we head to the beach in a couple of weeks. Does it really work as well as the lotions?
TIA

I love them! So much better than lotion! I even have used CVS store brand and it works great!

Did you ask your sister-in-law if it worked as well as lotion in Hawaii?

 

[tink2]

Did you ask your sister-in-law if it worked as well as lotion in Hawaii? [/QUOTE]

I did, but she is not a big user of sunscreen anyway though. Dh and I use it religiously (on our kids especially)- her, not so much. So, while I do value her opinion, I wanted some others as well. Also, my niece (15) go burnt one day. But, SIL said she only applied it in the mornings and not at all during the day- just that one time.

Thanks for all the info guys! I am definitely going to try it. I think I like the idea of using lotion in the mornings before we go out and the spray for reapplications- just for the fact of saving money and I already have a ton of lotions. I think I could easily become a spray-only user once the lotions I have are used up b/c it would be so much easier!!!

 

[allison443]

I think I like the idea of using lotion in the mornings before we go out and the spray for reapplications- just for the fact of saving money and I already have a ton of lotions.

That sound like a good idea
Have a great trip!

 

[donac]

I tried the spray this weekend and I had a hard time putting it on. It was hard for me to spray it. I couldn't get a good grip on the can or on the sprayer. Was I doing something wrong?

 

[akersten]

I think it works better. I love not getting my hands all goopy. I love the Target brand, their 2 pack is a great deal. The spray works great on the kids too. I still use lotion on my face though.

 

[kmodory]

I agree with the other posts. It works. It's nice to apply. But, make sure you get good coverage. And, be prepared to buy more bottles than you do with lotion. You go through it very quickly. Give it a try, but bring some lotion as a back up in case you don't like it (or you run out). Good luck.

 

[scootch]

I too LOVE the spray... the kids dont' fuss putting it on, I do still use a cream for their faces. I have also used it midsummer at the ocean and have bought the sports kind that doesn't come off with sweat and neither kid has ever gotten sunburned(besides being blondes. )