Sunscreen - What do you use?

[DestinationDisney]

Last night I went to get our sunscreen for our upcoming trip and let me tell you, I have never been so confused as to what sunscreen to get. There were so many different brands, I just had no idea what to choose.

Banana Boat was the cheapest, but I rubbed a little on my hand and it seemed really thick and pasty so I really didn't like it. I tried Coppertone, but it was an oil-free kind and didn't seem to absorb into my skin well.

As far as the new spray-on sunscreens go...has anyone tried these? How have they worked? Is this safe to put in checked luggage? I was a little hesitant to buy this because I was afraid of it being in an aerosol type container, that it might burst while in flight.

Let me know what you think!

 

[mickeyboat]

We use Coppertone most of the time. I have had good luck with the aerosol kind - although DD6 doesn't like the smell, so it's lotion for her. Make sure you get good coverage, because it is easy to miss a spot.

I don't know about putting it in checked luggage, but I have put aerosol hair spray in my checked luggage and haven't had a problem.

Have a great trip.

Denae

 

[tkd lisa]

Coppertone spray sport. The pump kind. I started using it on one of our cruises, since I could spray it on DD's head when we got the cornrow braids. That's the only kind I've used since then! It's SOOOO convenient! No gunky lotion on your hands, and it works really well. The only time I've ever had a problem was when I was down to the very bottom of the bottle. I had a polka dot sunburn because I didn't get a full spray of sunscreen.

 

[DVCLiz]

Neutragena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock is my new favorite, and as soon as we use up all these odds and ends from this summer, it's the only one I'm going to buy! It feels great - more like a lotion than a sunscreen. It comes in 30 and 45 SPF. My friend who is a dermatologist likes it, too!! It has UVA and UVB protection.

I know there is some new ingredient that will be better than what we have now, but I can't remember the name of it. It's available in Europe but I think I may have seen that it will be available in the US next year, or the following year. I'll try to find products that have that when it becomes available. But I'm a big Neutragena fan!!!

 

[justjulie]

We like Neutrogena or Kinesys sport spray. The Neutrogena is more of a light lotion than cream and the sport spray is great (as long as there's no wind) and comes in unscented or mango scent.

 

[Blondie]

I like Clinique. It costs a little more, but my skin thanks me for it!

 

[monarchsfan16]

I use Coppertone Oil Free. I like it because it seems to dry instantly and doesn't feel greasy when it's on. Could that be why it seemed like it didn't absorb? And even SPF 15 blocks everything. That's probably the only negative; I don't even tan when it's on, let alone burn (THAT is a plus for someone as fair skinned as I am). Plus I break out less from it than I do with normal sun screen, a huge plus
We used to use the Coppertone Sport Spray and I hated it. It turned into this grey, plastic like layer on my skin. Nasty stuff.

 

[lkjasd]

(This is from four Red Heads and a blonde. I, the largest red head, got lightly burned on March 15 of this year in MD when I had only been outside for only 30 minutes. i.e. I know sunburn)

We use the Coppertone sprays for the body, etc. and the Neutrogena for faces. The Neutrogena is just like lotion and not sicky and won't run into eyes. The Coppetone is great for quick coverage. We applied suncreen before leaving the room at 8:00 in the morning on our last trip to WDW in September and did not need to reapply all day. This included swimming around 1:00 or 2:00.

 

[Kimberly]

I use banana boat spf15 tanning oil. I like how it spreads easily and how quickly it goes on, plus I have to keep my skin moist or it will peel like crazy. It's the most effective for me...

 

[DestinationDisney]

We use Coppertone most of the time. I have had good luck with the aerosol kind - although DD6 doesn't like the smell, so it's lotion for her. Make sure you get good coverage, because it is easy to miss a spot.

I don't know about putting it in checked luggage, but I have put aerosol hair spray in my checked luggage and haven't had a problem.

Have a great trip.

Denae

Will they even allow it in carry-on luggage with the new restrictions and all?

 

[DestinationDisney]

Neutragena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock is my new favorite, and as soon as we use up all these odds and ends from this summer, it's the only one I'm going to buy! It feels great - more like a lotion than a sunscreen. It comes in 30 and 45 SPF. My friend who is a dermatologist likes it, too!! It has UVA and UVB protection.

I wonder if they make this in a special sunscreen for the face? My guess, es with Neutrogena, is they probably do. I like the idea that the sunscreen is lightweight and feels like a lotion rather than a gobby mess, especially when I have to put it on my face. I'll keep an eye out for this!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions - I'll take all of them into account.

DBF and I naturally have an olive-colored skin and tan easily, but I haven't been out in the sun in months and I'm sure the sun in the Dominican Republic will be HOT! I want to be sure I tan gradually and don't make the mistake that I made last summer when we were in Mexico and I figured I only needed SPF 8 sunscreen. I also missed putting the sunscreen in my hairline and needless to say, it was not a pretty sight (see below, please excuse the mess of my hair).

 

[Chicago526]

Copertone spf 45 lotion! Without it I go from pasty white to red 'n' burnt in about 5 seconds. I always travel with it stored in it's own zip lock bag, incase it leaks. If you're flying, it will have to go in your checked bags unless you have a bottle of it under 3 oz.

 

[U2_rocks!]

On my face I use Neutragena 30. On my body it's usually whatever I get for the kids, which is Banana Boat Sport 45 or some such thing. On the kids' faces I use Australian Gold stick - it's like a lip protection stick but made for faces too. It is incredibly waterproof, and it just glides on without my having to touch it! It's great for those times whe they don't need sunscreen on their bodies but they do on their faces. I use it a lot when they are swimming in their sun protection suits - it doesn't really wash off.

 

[bananiem]

No-AD 50 or 60 SPF.

 

[Magickndm]

Bullfrog for this family.

 

[DVCLiz]

I wonder if they make this in a special sunscreen for the face? My guess, es with Neutrogena, is they probably do. I like the idea that the sunscreen is lightweight and feels like a lotion rather than a gobby mess, especially when I have to put it on my face. I'll keep an eye out for this!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions - I'll take all of them into account.

QUOTE]
This year they sold the larger bottles with a smaller tube of the same product, but with an SPF of 55, so I used the small tube for my face. I have one in my purse now, too, because when I am driving my left arm always burns!!! I'm sure by next summer they will have some new products including facial creams or lotions.

 

[Pixiedust34]

My dh has had melanoma and our dermatologist recommended Neutrogena Ultrasheer SPF 55 for him to wear. Sometimes I wear that and sometimes I wear the kids' Banana Boat.

 

[DMickey28]

I use Neutrogena for the face, have for years. LOVE IT. For my body I have been using Australian Gold for the last year or two. I love how it smells and feel like it goes on light and non-greasy.

 

[DestinationDisney]

Thanks again everyone!

I think I'm going to go out tonight and do some more sampling. I'm definitely going to go with Neutrogena for the face!

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

We use No-Ad and have been very happy!

I've heard good things about Bull-Frog, but have never used it.