Which spf sunblocks do you take?

[CACruiser]

Not ridiculous at all!

It actually depends on your skin type! If you are really fair, you would'nt want to go anything less than a 15 spf. I would highly reccommend you a 25 or above.

Also, in the summer there is high humidity, I like to use a gel based sunscreen that dries quickly.

I like the spray on kind for my kids. Easy to apply!

As for the 50 spf and above. I have heard that is really kind of a hoax. A really high number will not protect your skin more than a 25-30.

Sunscreen needs to be applied generously and reapplied often!

For more info, you can check out the American Cancer Society website for the prevention of suncancer.

Have fun and do'nt forget the back of your knees and tops of the feet...ears...etc.

LisaCA

 

[UMTerp]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned here are sunscreen shirts. I have a fair red-headed DS who must have sunscreen whenever he is in the sun. The shirts are great! Don't have to worry about sunscreen on areas that are covered by the shirt! Works great at the pool and on the islands! I have one for my DD also even though she isn't as fair. Just makes life easier.

 

[Jillie]

On our first cruise i brought a 45, 25 and 15 thinking that would be enough for the 4 of us...we are all very fair with either blonde or red hair and freckles. Well i ended up having to buy 2 more bottles of the 45 on board...boy was that expensive!!

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

Don't forget your lips!!!! I pre-tan before a cruise, and I tan easily and seldomly burn. I will be taking spf 8 sunblock which works fine for me on the majority of my body......EXCEPT my lips and my ears! No matter what I do, my lips sunburn terribly, so I need an spf 30 on my lips! I also like to apply it to my ears, which many people forget, and right at my hairline. My hair is usually down across my forhead (bangs), but when I swim my hair gets plastered back and I tend to burn right at the hairline, so that gets a heavier dose with the lips and the part in my hair (which I use the Coppertone sport spray 15 ro 30).

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[tecdavidt]

Another tip: a big part of the reason the sun is more intense in the Caribbean is the reflection of the rays from the water and sand. Even if you will be in the shade use sun block. The rays reflecting are just as bad as the ones in the sunshine and it gives us a double dose of the sun rays. Even if you think you are in the shade reading a book on deck 4 or the shade on your verandah use the sun block. Kathy

 

[Tera]

Definitely!!! My skin can dry out pretty quickly, so in the summer and most of the winter, I use sunblock as a lotion, so I know I'm getting enough coverage. Nothing worse than being sunburn on a vacation... don't take any chances.

 

[christinou]

I am another one is with the 50, it is great, and the sun is really strong in the Carribeans.

 

[Tera]

I'd be curious to know if the 50 really works any better than the 30. I'm wondering if they have something listed on the American Cancer Society site regarding sunscreen?

 

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by CACruiser
I like the spray on kind for my kids. Easy to apply!

Just a quick note, my pediatrician has instructed me that if I am going to use the spray on type, to start with a "rub on" type before we go into the sun, OR use the spray on and then rub it in, because simply spraying it will give uneven coating and can leave portions of skin unprotected unknowingly. So we start with a rub on kind, and pack the spray on for touch ups later.

 

[Tera]

That's a great idea. I always wonder if the spray on one really gets into the skin before the kids go into the water. Rubbing it in first and then reapplying probably would be better.

 

[chrisn]

Waterproof, sweatproof. I like the spray too but I ALWAYS rub it in. It works great! And yes, definitely don't forget lips and ears, especially boys with their short hair. I always bring my Coppertone Lipstuff and the Coppertone stick for my DS's ears.

 

[The4OfUs]

And tops o'the feet, too! Especially if you're wearing flip-flops! DH got SUCH a sunburn on the tops of his feet...

 

[jrabbit]

If you are on St. Maarten and go to the French side of the island and choose to go a'natural be sure to use a very good/strong sun screen on those parts that ain't used to seeing the light of day. We saw a guy at Orient Beach whose "cheeks" were flaming red. It looked very painful. We don't usually laugh at others misfortune, but we got a good laugh out of this situation. Stupid is a stupid does. Didn't see his front side...thankfully, but if it was like the backside I cannot imagine the pain. Heck, we couldn't imagine him sitting down for a week or so.

 

[Tera]

jrabbit - Now you left me with a visual that will make me laugh all day, thanks I always forget about my feet, I guess because I think my sandles will cover enough... not the case though. I'll just sure to have plenty with us.

 

[jahexom]

I would like to 2nd the earlier posters reference to sunblock on the lips. My daughters work at a tanning salon and we all thought we were pretty tan. We still used a 15 sunblock, but forgot our lips. After a day at the beach DD19 had 2nd degree burns on her lips. They were swollen for over a week and she was in excrutiating pain. The doctor prescribed a cream, but it was still another week before they were healed. Don't forget the Lips!!


Jen

 

[Tera]

Ouch! That wouldn't look too nice on those formal cruise pictures now. I'll make sure to stock-up on sunblock for lips!!

 

[krhardy]

as stated before, remember that the Carribean sun is much stronger than most people are used to. Personally, I packed SPF 2 for myself b/c I have olive skin, and grew up in Florida. But, I packed 45 for DH, adn he still burned. WHen we took our kids, I took my son's SPF 70...yes that's right, and not a misprint SPF 70. He has vitaligo, and has to use the highest SPF we can get. I believe Hawaiian Tropic makes it. It's in a silver bottle. Unfortunately, the little rascal STILL got a tan line! Just imagine w/o...he would have been a spotted coconut!

 

[Tera]

What's a good sunscreen for your lips?

 

[wdwmom2]

Not sure what is good, but I just purchased some lip balm at Bath and Body Works that the spf is 15. Watermelon, mmmmm!! Anyway, check in the chapstick isle or the suntan lotion isle. I'm sure that you will find some.

Sharon

 

[JJsmama]

We haven't cruised yet, but I have always been very happy with Waterbabies (spf 45.) I've used it for 5 years on my very fair babies and they have never gotten burned--even after swimming all day. Plus it has never stung their eyes. ANy time we have EVER used anything else, it has stung their eyes when they got wet. Same for DH when he is exercising and sweating. All sunscreens but Waterbabies run into his eyes and burn.


Thanks for the reminder that the Car. sun is stronger. I might have put 15 on myself and been real sorry!