Thin vs. thick sunscreens (with same spf)

[displanner]

Just curious. If you have 2 brands of sunscreen with the same spf, which is better: the one with the thinner consistency or the thicker one? I like the thinner one because it goes on and spreads easily. But is there a drawback to it that I am not taking into account?

 

[tink2dw]

We found that Spray on and Gel types of Sunscreen worked so well that Teenage Dd was mad that she wasn't getting ANY tan. Usually with the cremes Dd tans after a few hours. Well this trip Everyone stayed Lily White [even Dh's ears,they always burn!!] And the gel dries so fast that our Grand-Dd couldn't even smear it in her eyes. And they don't even Sweat off!!

So,for us it's Gel and Spray-on Sunsreen in a High SFP.

 

[displanner]

What gel or spray brand(s) did you use?

 

[tink2dw]

Coppertone Gel spf 30[waterproof] in green tube,and

the Spray-on was the Wal-Green brand Sport sfp 30 very water resistant,very sweat resistant $6.99

 

[displanner]

Thank you! I could open a store with all the sunscreen I bought at the beginning of the season! But I had passed on the gels because they were a lesser spf (I bought mostly spf 45)...plus I buy the kind that will not clog pores (non-comedogenic). I will take another look at them (the gels).

 

[renessa]

Even though it says "spray on" still rub it in....my new aunt sprayed it on my cousin several times- all day, and when the sun went down he looked like a cow or giraffe. He had "spots" all over him. He burned where the spray didn't hit, and got no color everywhere else. Needless to say it took several days in the sun to even this out....

 

[The4OfUs]

My pediatrician gave me the same warning..actually she told us to stay away from the spray ons as they do not penetrate the skin as deeply and therefore don't offer the same protection, but that if we must use them, to be sure to rub it in good.

 

[Dizzy-Disney4]

We've been usiong the spray all summer and it works great. Goes on easily and not one single burn.

 

[jesdmill1]

I always use Coppertone waterbabies SPF 45. Last year I didn't tan a bit, which is always my goal! I don't like the gels, they make me break out - to dry quickly they contain too much alcohol.

 

[elgerber]

Has anyone used the Coppertone Spray that says "no rub spray" on the cap?? I bought some thinking it would be nice for reapplying at the parks. Now I'm worried it's not a good idea.

Thanks.

Erika

 

[LisaRex]

There's a difference between a "sunscreen" and a "sunblock." A sunscreen will allow you to tan and takes a few minutes (~20 minutes) to absorb and work. A sunblock, on the other hand, is usually thicker and is supposed to do just that -- block the sun entirely.

For children and fair-skinned adults, they should always use the sunblock.

I've also recently read that you should stick to ~30 SPF because anything higher gives you only slightly more protection and costs more.

 

[tink2dw]

Both of the products I listed above ARE SunBlocks Plus they Block Both Kinds of rays UVA AND UVB.

The Coppertone Gel says "won't clog Pores" and contains E and Aloe

And the Spray, Sport by Walgreens is oil free,[we did rub it in,I just was sure we had to!!]

They Both worked better than anything else I have ever tried!!!!!!!!![have tried different things every summer]

It was the First time we didn't tan or burn thru!! and we in WDW in April!!

 

[Mouser]

Has anyone tried BULLFROG...sunblock lotion??? I do not think it is available in all areas, not in Orlando I know as I looked for it there once....It is was orignally made for ocean swimmers who often have to reapply because of the water and salt washing it off...My son once got a horrible burn at the ocean, even with sun block on and being applied frequently. We took him to the emergency room and the emergency room personel told us about this cream....That was 13 years ago, we started using it in Orlando too and not a one of us has gotten any type of burn there since then.....It is a sunblock not a sun cream and you will not tan with it at all, but no burning either...Over the counter of course normal sun screen and is with all other sun screens..It comes in cream or gel, DH and now prefer the gel as it goes on better with no cream rub in worry. I believe the SPF is 36 on their normal and they do have one with a 45 on it I know as I bought some yesterday...hope this helps someone, everyone that i have recommended it to loves it...

 

[pbhunt]

The Coppertone Sport "Rub Free" Sprays are great! If you Read the back label, they bond to your skin, (kind of a scary thought). But we use them frequently for pool lounging, and they really do stay on, no sweating off and no sun burns!

 

[Joycemarie]

I used the coppertone spray on my son the first time we went to the beach at home. It earned him the name "blotch boy" by us. RUB IT IN. you can't see where its spraying. I thought I was doing a great job and kept reappling it. Well the spots that it hit were fine but the others were red.

 

[KProuty]

Here is a link that might help! Jewish World Review gets excerpts from Consumer Reports to put on their site. They did a short piece on suncreen. (I don't know if they have a larger version on the consumer reports site or not.)

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/consumer.html

Hope this helps!

Katherine

 

[Coll0610]

Since I normally use lotion on my arms and legs every day, when I plan to be in the sun I use one of the thicker sunscreens in place of my usual lotion. When I'm reapplying, I use the spray sunscreen because it rubs in so much easier.

 

[displanner]

I never thought this question would generate so many responses!
Thanks all!

 

[dBugged]

My fav is the coppertone sport. Waterproof and sweatproof. I haven't gotten burned yet!

 

[skeezixspud]

The Coppertone is fine, but the Sea & Ski works better, IMO, because the bottle is pressurized and the spray keeps spraying without having to pump constantly. You can lay on the spray like spray paint, with a sweeping motion, and the spray is super-fine. It's white just at first, then dries clear very quickly. It also has little or no scent, which is important for us.

I use a wax stick on our faces and ears, very effective and easy to apply, and even the little one likes to 'paint' his face.