Sunscreen Question--PLEEEAASE help!

[choppee]

Pump sprays are ok, but don't use the aerosol version. The are easily inhaled during application and coat the lungs and airways. It can cause damage. Even if you tell them to hold their breath, it is still in the air when you are done. My altime favorite spray is all terrain sunblock spray. It is a physical blocker, not a chemical, and is much safer for the skin than all the chemical versions. It does not show up as white on the skin as many of the other physical blocker sunblocks. So easy to reapply on the go.
Another important place to put sunscreen on little girls, besides the ears is along a part in their hair. It's the top of their head and gets the full sun all day. Hats are a great thing if you can get the kids to keep them on.

If you do get burned one way to actually reduce the damage is to take an anti-inflammatory, like aspirin or ibuprofen. Take it as soon as you notice the burn, then continue to take regular doses through the next day. It will make a world of difference! I learned this from my father, and it has come in handy countless times over the years.

you bring up a very pertinent point for african-amerians...you say that this all terrain sunblock spray doesn't apear white on the skin like other sunblocks. this is a big deal! being cafe au lait, our family looks like zombies out of the haunted mansion in mk when we wear sunblock that is thick and white! just looks gross.

i guess another question i should ask folk is if this is the only sunblock that will not make me look like a grey zombie? or am i and my family destined to look ridiculous in the name of safety????

 

[DakotaRose]

We prefer sunscreen that is labeled "water-resistant" or "sweat-resistant". Many sport or active sunblocks contain ingredients to keep them on even though we sweat like melting popsicles in the Florida heat. They do still need to be reapplied every two hours, though.

Our faves: Coppertone Sport, Banana Boat Sport Performance, Neutrogena Sport. We usually buy spray, but do give it a quick rub after spraying to make sure you haven't missed any spots.

Tip #1: Avoid the sun between noon and 2 PM if possible. Rather than stand in a line on the pavement in the searing sun for an hour, get in a line that's under an awning, or go to an indoor show or Ellen's Energy Adventure, or eat lunch indoors.

Tip #2: Remember the Lion King -- sunscreen goes on "everything the light touches". Some sunscreen users skip -- and burn badly --the tops of feet, lips, cleavage, scalp (where hair is parted), front/back of armpits.

Tip #3: To be sure you sunscreen everything the sun touches, apply sunscreen naked. We are much more likely to miss spots when working around clothing and sandals.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

DH and I like Bullfrog, which is what all the fishermen (and it doesn't matter what your skin color is, you gotta have a LOT of sunscreen on the water) use. We always buy the kind that comes in a spritz bottle and you can get it with insect repellant. The spritz is clear and cooling, but not sticky and it's waterproof and doesn't need to be reapplied very often.

IRL, neither I nor DH ever use sunscreen unless we're on the water, but we always start our mornings at Disney by applying plenty of Bullfrog. We don't reapply, but it lasts long enough for us - we never get burned.

Make sure to apply to your ears, the back of your neck and, if you're wearing watershoes with holes, to your feet.

Aloe Vera is the best thing for burns, along with cool showers. For your lips after a burn, get some aquaphor ointment or generic aquaphor. It will really help.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Oh that's another good point. Don't forget your lips! Or at least around them. I use a chapstick with SPF in it and just make sure I overlap onto my regular skin a bit.

 

[trying2photo]

Make sure your sunscreen says WATERPROOF. There is a big difference in waterproof and water resistant.

 

[crayon3448]

oh, boy, i totally forgot!!! yes, i do have a boy and sure would have forgotten his poor little ears....ugh. bad momma award! you guys are really helpful, thanks!

on the same page, if you have girls and their hair is parted, rub a little in along the part on the top of their heads so it doesn't burn.

 

[DisneyDiva8401]

Yes...don't forget the head! If you have pigtails or braids your scalp will burn!

 

[Jonathan Swift]

I strongly suggest you get sunscreen based on the latest Consumer Reports ratings. The SPF number does not give you the full picture. You want one that will protect not just against UVB rays, but UVA rays as well. The reviews just came out, so if you don't have a subscription, go to your local library to get the whole list.

Video about the Consumer Reports findings.

Here are the top 6:

1. UP & UP (Target), Sport SPF 50 ($6.94)
2. Equate (Walmart), Ultra Protection SPF 50 ($7.50)
3. Coppertone Water, Babies SPF 50 ($11)
4. Walgreens Continuous Spray, Sport SPF 50 ($8)
5. Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch, SPF 30 ($11)
6. Coppertone Sport High Performance, SPF 30 ($10)

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I strongly suggest you get sunscreen based on the latest Consumer Reports ratings. The SPF number does not give you the full picture. You want one that will protect not just against UVB rays, but UVA rays as well. The reviews just came out, so if you don't have a subscription, go to your local library to get the whole list.

Video about the Consumer Reports findings.

Here are the top 6:

1. UP & UP (Target), Sport SPF 50 ($6.94)
2. Equate (Walmart), Ultra Protection SPF 50 ($7.50)
3. Coppertone Water, Babies SPF 50 ($11)
4. Walgreens Continuous Spray, Sport SPF 50 ($8)
5. Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch, SPF 30 ($11)
6. Coppertone Sport High Performance, SPF 30 ($10)

For the first time, Consume Reports lets me down. I've only used 3 of the ones on that list and all 3 turn me into a grease pit the next day. Seriously, there's so much oil on me that I have wildcatters wanting to lease my body for rigs.

 

[ellone]

Jason sunscreen - it's a natural sunscreen without the parabens and other crap the major brands contain. We've tried many if the natural sunscreens and this one blends in well and smells nice. Badger is also a good natural sunscreen but it feels a bit grainy coming out of the tube.

 

[Superchikk]

I second the recommendation of Jason sunscreen. I prefer non-chemical sunscreens for my kids and myself. And after having Melanoma 12 years ago, I've used a LOT of sunscreen. This is by far my favorite. It hasn't bothered our sensitive skin, it works well, isn't greasy, and doesn't stink. (I hate the smell of most sunscreens and that a lot of them never really wash out of your clothes.) You can get it at "health food" type stores, Amazon.com, or Vitacost.com.

I always coat my kids before I dress them. It's much easier than trying to put the lotion on around necklines, etc. Remember the back of the neck, ears, hairlines, hair parts, and tops of feet and toes if you're wearing sandals. It's also good to put the sunscreen on 30 minutes or so before you plan to be outside. When you re-apply, just try to wipe sweat, water, etc. off beforehand and let it soak in a few minutes before you get wet again.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

Thinksport is a really great natural sunscreen. It is one of the top sunscreens out there. I wouldn't come within many feet of a spray sunscreen. Just really not good for you at all. Especially for little ones. Check out the skindeep database of sunscreen on EWG.

http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/

 

[ddwwelsh]

Check for coupons or specials and get a couple of different brands/types. Try them out on everyone NOW before the trip just in case someone has any sensitivities (because it sometimes happens).

Lotion is probably a bit more economical, and I tend to get better coverage. You can go through a spray quite quickly if you are spraying down several people.

An SPF 30 should do you well, but you can get the sticks in SPF 50 for noses and cheeks. They look like glue sticks, but they are handy for tender faces (I use an SPF 50 stick to cover my tattoos when I'm out).

Good luck and have fun.

 

[davedmaine]

my family and i are going to be in wdw this june (yeah, i know, hot!) and i have a serious question about sunscreen! being african-american, i only really think about using it every now and then when at the beach or in the sun all day, and even with that, i grew up without ever really being taught about the necessity of protecting my skin. i was always told that i would be "fine", and chalked up any burns to just testing the waters too long. last visit to the parks the whole family (we are all african-american) burned really, REALLY badly, and since i have no understanding? preconception? experience? with this i was really floundering trying to understand how to deal with and treat a burn (my poor babies' noses were pink as strawberries....) please, please help me with some recommendations of good sunscreens to use and advice on how to treat them if we get them again (ugh. sooooo not wanting that!!!). i had just slathered on a bit in the morning and that would be enough...lesson learned! please help me out here--appreciate your help!

Maybe you should check with your doctor first..

 

[Anri]

I prefer spray sunscreen for first thing in the morning, right before we go to the park, and then reapply with lotion throughout the day. You can get plenty of all-natural sunscreen sprays. I don't take sprays into the park as it can be discourteous to others when reapplying in a large crowd. Get a stick or a face lotion for your face and ears, don't spray your faces as it will burn your little ones eyes if they aren't careful! I do not apply any to my scalp as it makes my hair greasy. But I do burn as I am blonde haired and am one of the pastiest people I know, lol. I just wear a baseball cap all day, it prevents my scalp from being burned and helps shield my face too. I just got back from an 8 day vacation the end of May, beginning of June and didn't get burned at all.

 

[Gracie09]

We use blue lizard. We are a mixed family red headed freckles, Italian and a dd that is mixed Hispanic/African American. We all use blue lizard. It does leave a bit of white but is fades in about 30 minutes. I like the feel of it when it rubbed in and it doesn't smell like regular sunscreen. As the red head freckled one I haven't burned since we switched.
I also have a spray made for hair that I use on my girls parts.

 

[choppee]

thanks so much for all the advice...we went to florida and no one had even a hint of a burn! my skin, my family's skin thanks all of you!!!

 

[GusGus77]

Just looked up the All Terrain sunscreen after reading this post and was surprised by what I saw! Their bottles have Phineas and Ferb or Mickey/Minnie on them! I think that sold me on their products for Disney!!!!