Sunscreen... need your advice

[lpoeppelman]

I purchased Coppertone Kids Sunscreen 50 SPF spray sunscreen at Sam's club. It is the kind that you spray on the kids. I was hoping that would make it a little easier to apply it every morning on 4 boys!

I'd like to know if anyone else has used this kind before and if they had problems with it hurting your children's eyes. I find that some lotions tend to irritate my children's eyes when they get wet.

Any opinions? Thanks!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Another DISer (LanaJae) had some information that wasn't very good about this sunscreen on the Budget Board thread about CVS sunscreen yesterday.

Here is the thread link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1830907

We used this on DS1 last week and I noticed he has some bumps on his arm - not sure if that is from the sunscreen or not but it is where we applied the sunscreen.

 

[canadianmom2three]

Interesting...will have to check that out. I don't find it irritates the eyes once dried, but if sprayed in, then yes. OTOH, it kicks up a pretty big cloud of extremely chemical/alcohol scented mist when sprayed, which I imagine is not particularly healthy......I make the kids hold their breath, and close their eyes. I spray fast, their face area, then let them breathe. The kids have not had any problems with skin rashes or anything.

 

[AKBAFB]

I tried the spray-on sunscreen last summer and I thought it was horrible! Much more messy than a regular lotion sunscreen - think thin and runny rather than the smooth and misty spray I imagined! We ended up using the Nutrogena sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. It's a regular cream lotion and I haven't had any problems with it running into the eyes, even when it gets wet. Something about it seems to absorb into the skin better. Good luck!

 

[dizzneebabe]

We like and use either Coppertone Sport, Hawaiin Tropic Sport or Bullfrog--something that dries quickly and doesn't sweat off. The five of us have never had any reaction to these and DD was 2 when we started using them. These are also sprays. I know there are many types out there--but I strongly recommend these!!!!

 

[Schmeck]

Just don't spray near any plants - it'll kill them! We had wierd brown spots in our yard (with green footprints in the middle) from the kids spraying sunscreen outside in the grass It also killed the potted plants when they sprayed next to them.

 

[joynt23]

We live in S. Fla and we have been using the spray on sunscreen for a year and it has worked great for us. Make sure you have the clear spray because if it is the lotion spray you still need to rub it in. I do suggest the sweat proof. My DS and DD are both 7 and can apply to themselves if it is necessary. Also, when it comes to the face, I DO NOT spray to the face. I have found the sunscreen sticks are BEST for the face and ears. We have used this on our kids since they were infants. I am also a PE teacher and am outside all day and the stick is real easy to use to reapply to the face as the day goes. The spray is very easy to reapply also.

 

[celticlad]

Just don't spray near any plants - it'll kill them! We had wierd brown spots in our yard (with green footprints in the middle) from the kids spraying sunscreen outside in the grass It also killed the potted plants when they sprayed next to them.

yes that'll be the photosynthesis inhibited then.

 

[jacobsmom]

We LOVE this stuff! Not a single problem using it. In fact I just stocked up again because my whole family joins in using it! It's so nice to spray and go quickly because heaven knows my little man doesn't like waiting to be lotioned or recovered so this is a beautiful thing in our life!

 

[ameraumi]

I use it on my daycare kiddos and love it! It is so much easier and quicker to have them stand outside with "airplane arms" and give them a quick spray then it is to lather them up. I have found it dries quickly and if I spray it on my fingers and wipe it on their face it does not sting their eyes.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Our last bottle came with a stick of sunscreen that I use on faces and ears. Works like a charm!!

 

[Fall1]

Has anyone tried Banana Boat baby or kids spray? There is a big sale on it and a coupon at Costco, but I wanted to get some advice first. Thanks!

 

[zoomouse]

We've used the spray on sunscreens. I feel like I get better coverage on the kids with the spray - it's quicker for sure. We use the stick stuff on their faces and carry it for touch ups. We had a problem with our son getting a rash after using sunscreen a couple of summers ago. Our pediatrician said that when some sunscreens get old one of the chemicals breaks down and produces an irritant. Imagine that, the 10 year old bottle of sunblock from behind the truck seat may not be 100% - who knew? Since then we buy a new bottle every season and have not had a problem.

 

[DevilDuckie]

We use the Bullfrog spray and love it. When it comes to the face I do not spray directly on. Instead I spray it onto my hand and apply it that way to avoid the eyes, nose and lips. We use a sunscreen lip balm too.

 

[Magic Mom]

We use the Bullfrog spray and love it. When it comes to the face I do not spray directly on. Instead I spray it onto my hand and apply it that way to avoid the eyes, nose and lips. We use a sunscreen lip balm too.

DOn't forget the edges of your ears. That was the first place my grandmother's skin cancer appeared

 

[TheDizMom]

I use the spray all the time and it works great and is 100% easier to deal with when it comes to young kids. I know people think it doesn't work as well, but I have NEVER had a problem unless I forgot to reapply it, which is of course the same with any other form of sunscreen. Take them outside to spray it on so you don't get it all over the floors and furniture. If you choose to use it on the face and ears spray some in your hand and then rub it into their face. I tend to use the sunscreen sticks for that. The other benefit to the spray is that it barely weighs a thing if you need to carry it with you. You should plan to buy twice as much though because it doesn't last as long as the lotion.

 

[TexasMinnie82]

We have been using the Coppertone for a couple of years now and love it!! It is so easy. I have them hold their breathe and spray from top to bottom in about 5 seconds. My kids are extremely white and burn very easy, and they have never been sunburned while using it. We tried the Banana Boat spray one time and didn't like it, so we stick with Coppertone from now on.

A local grocery store here had a special a few weeks ago. Buy a two-pack, get one free. So I stocked up!!

We also use a stick for the face, so I don't have to spray it in their faces. If I don't have a stick with me, I just spray it in my hand and rub it in.

 

[NotUrsula]

Just FYI, another thing it will destroy is spandex, so if you are using it on yourself, pull your expensive swimsuit out of the direct line of spray. I ruined a suit before I realized that letting the spray directly hit it was causing the elastic to deteriorate very quickly. Now I hold my breath and spray myself in the shower stall before getting my suit on.

I don't ever use spray any higher than the neck. We use either wax stick or the Ocean Potion Dab On for faces, ears and the parts in our hair.

 

[3happydancers]

We have been using Banana Boat for years. Last year we switched to the spray can and we love it . Much easier to apply and quick. For around our eyes, I apply with a dab on my fingertips so as to avoid eye contact. This seems to work great for myh family. The product itself provides superb coverage and it is waterproof so reapplying is minimal.