Which spf sunblocks do you take?

[wdwmom2]

Sorry for such a ridiculous question, but, having 2 teen DDs, I am sure that we will have alot of toiletries to pack. I was wondering which spf's you pack. I was thinking maybe a 15 and either a 4 or 8. What do the rest of you guys pack?

Thanks in advance

Sharon

 

[The4OfUs]

We packed a 25, and then bought a 50 on board....that sun is stronger than we Bostonians are used to even in the middle of summer.

 

[wdwmom2]

Wow!!! I didn't even realize that they made a 50. I guess it has been a while since I have purchased sunblock!!!!!!

 

[Princess Michelle]

I will be taking my SPF 50 on board with me. I'm very fair and already have to deal with the sun here in Florida so that's what I use anyway.

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

Sharon, we take a 15 and an 8 for us and a 40 for DD3, and it amazes me how dark she gets even with that on. None of us burn easily. Just remember to pack enough. Even onboard, you'll want to reapply a few times to keep from getting burned. Nothing worse than trying to sit through dinner or a show feeling like a boiled lobster.

 

[Katdb]

As a little background info: If I were to die my hair, you could call me Snow White (that was actually my knickname once!!!)


I burn ALL the time, and to the colour of a lobster in 10 minutes. One sunscreen I have found that I don't burn with is anything with Parsol. My sister told me about it for last cruise and it works great!!!

So make sure that the sunscreen has parsol and you'll be fine!

Katdb

 

[SandraLee]

My DD4 has extremely bad excema and the only thing that I like for her is Eucerine w/ SPF 15. It is hard to find - I've had to order it online in the past. What I like is that it works like a lotion AND has the benefit of a sunscreen. It does not have the horrible smell that normal sunscreens have.

I think the SPF 15 was good for us -- she never even got a tan, but I never let her out without it on.

 

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by DMS_cruisers04
Nothing worse than trying to sit through dinner or a show feeling like a boiled lobster.

Exactly....the number of women I saw on board, dressed to the nines and looking GORGEOUS in these beautiful gowns with spaghetti straps, but the overall look marred by the painfully bright red sunburns they got, and the resulting white areas/lines from their bathing suits...I'd have been so upset if that had happened to me for our formal pictures.

We usually use the kids ones, as they seem to be higher SPFs, and last longer in terms of swimming and sweat. We bought our 50 on board, for about $13 for the tube, once we saw the 25 was not doing anything for us. Remember, the closer to the equator, the more damaging the sun's rays...add in the fact that the worst time is from 10-2, when we were always out, and this Boston family risked toasting to a crisp! *grin*

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

And keep in mind too, even if it's overcast, don't forego the sunscreen. Clouds do not mask out all the UV rays coming down on you. We've seen so many "crispy" cruisers during dinner after slightly cloudy afternoons.

 

[Lisa D]

I'm another one who takes a wide variety of sunblocks. The 30 is a must in case you accidently overdo the sun, which is very easy to do!

Whoever mentioned the Eucerine sunblock, thank you. I will have to look for that for my younger DS who also has a skin condition so I'm a little wary about what to use on him.

Lisa

 

[SandraLee]

Here is a link for the Eucerine:

http://www.dermstore.com/product_Daily+Sun+Defense_1568.htm

Like I said, it is hard to find in the stores, but worth it.

 

[paulinewdw]

Not only am I extremely fair-skinned, but I have developed an allergy to the sun! I will bring SPF 50 with me(never go to Florida without it!) As long as I am careful, I should have a great time!

 

[d'Isigny]

I've lived in Phoenix, Arizona...most of my life. We are located 4 minutes from the sun - I'm used to it. But, I have never-never felt the sun sooooo intense as on CC.

Do yourself a favor...apply sunscreen before you leave the ship and a couple more times during the day. Remember to pack a waterproof type if you are planning to swim.

We saw too many people that were as red as a lobster. This is not the way to end your vacation, or start your second half at the parks.

 

[tkd lisa]

Piling on here with a frequently forgotten area. Don't forget the top of your head (men w/ bald spots especially). Many young girls like to get the hair braids. Nothing looks more painful than burned little scalps. Coppertone makes a sport sunscreen that sprays on and covers those areas really well.

We're pretty fair skinned, and I'd say we used one big bottle of the sport sunscreen spray (25 spf), and 2 1/2 bottles of regular sunscreen (also 25 spf) for the week. So bring at least one bottle more than you think you'll need. It's a lot cheaper at home than on the ship!

 

[jrabbit]

Here's a vote for Waterbabies 45. We no longer have babies, but we all like the way it works. It's "waterproof" so it's great for swimming. It even works well at the waterparks where you are getting blasted with water all day long. We put it on before leaving the room in the morning and reapply a couple of times during the day.

I'll second the sunscreening your scalp. On CC last year I missed a quarter sized spot up near the part in my hairline. Got it sunscreened before noon. Felt it for the next 2 weeks!

 

[mamo-4-wdw]

I usually sun burn and then tan a little. Here in Tennessee I use Hawaiian Tropic "Ozone " sunblock uva/uvb/ir protection 70 spf. Yes 70, I couldn't believe it either. I am also going to wash my tops in Sun guard from Rit. My mom has sunburnt thru her clothes when she had a yard sale last year! I would hate to think I could sunburn in places that were covered. ouch!!!

 

[wdwmom2]

Thanks everyone, I knew I could count on you guys for wonderful advice. I think that I will take a higher one, maybe 40, and then also a 15 and an 8. All waterproof of course. We don't burn very easy but I will make sure everyone is lathered up before we leave our room in the morning and reapply as needed. I would rather eat lobster than look like one!!!

Sharon

 

[Tera]

SandraLee - I've found the Eucerine at Wal-Mart where they have the facial type products. I use the Eucerine SPF 15 on my face everyday since it's easier to burn here in Denver.

The4OfUs - I agree with you on the children's sunscreen. It makes it easier and cheaper to buy one BIG bottle of children's SPF 30 and we all use it. Since Denver is so high up, we use it almost year round here.

Make sure to bring a big hat for those sunny days too. Nothing worse than having your face burn and then peel on your vacation.

 

[TootyJane]

I like 45 spf. However, last summer I picked up a few bottles of Coppertone Sport - Rub Free Spray with an spf of 30. It's waterproof, sweatproof (great if you wear contacts and doesn't run into the eyes). My kids love the fact that you don't have to rub it in like a lotion. It applies easily and dries fast. My suggestion regardless of whatever sunscreen you choose is apply it at least 20 minutes prior to going out in the sun. HTH

 

[Tera]

Great tip TootyJane - Any sunscreen is better than none. My girls are lucky enough to have my DH skin instead of my nice Irish skin, but we still insist they wear atleast a 30. My DH likes the no-rub kind too for his head (lacking a little hair) and it's great if the girls get their hair braided on the trip.