Sunscreen Recommendation for Myself & Young Children

I use coppertone sport 50 spray in the blue can on my children and myself. It works, is sweat-proof, and we only need to re-apply if we've been in the water a long time. I buy fresh cans every year and since they run around $6.59 or $7.00 each, they don't break the bank. I go through about 3 cans in a summer and that includes each kid having their own for summer camp.
LBC

Hi M.---First, go to www.ewg.org and look at their sunscreen database. You will find which ones are best for minimizing chemical exposure and toxicity. They will give you recommendations for good sunscreens to keep you protected as well as minimizing your risk of exposure to cancer causing chemicals. You'll then have to decide on what compromises you are willing to make for convenience.

Also, look for info on spf numbers. I've read, and it's been awhile, that you really don't get any more coverage for #'s over something like 30. So, you might be wasting $ if you pay much more for that.

Lastly, if you have acne problems, I'd like to ask you this ?. Do you consume a lot of dairy products? Dairy is a HUGE culprit when it comes to acne. I can send you documentation of that, if you'd like. You can also learn more about 'why not milk' at www.pcrm.org. Put diary in the search box. Oh, this is last...eat lots more red and orange foods. The nutrients in those actually act like sunscreen, if you eat enough of them. My family uses a whole food supplement that has lots of carotenoids, like lycopene and lutein and we can be out in the sun A LOT longer than ever before. So I know it works. If I can be of further help, please feel free to contact me. Good luck and have fun with your research. Be well, D.

http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/26/the-toxic-truth-...

Do your research before you buy.. its shocking what we dont know about sunscreen and what terrible chemicals and such that are in most of our favorite name brand products!!!

Neutragena makes a greaseless formula for the face. It comes in a really high spf and feels great. My husband and I use it on both face and body. I'm Armenian with olive skin and tan easily. Hubby's English, but tans rather than burns. So I can't specifically help with the fair skin issues.

Our baby is 7 months old. We will be using a combo of a no tears sunscreen and a stick for his face. Might take some time to cover him, but we'll try to do a thorough job before we leave the house in the morning. Reapplying should hopefully be easier.

We use the KINeSYS kids spray-on 30 spf, which works well for us. Last September we used it down in Florida, re-applied once a day, and no sunburn. My son has had a reaction to a couple of sunscreens, but not with this one. I know that last year it was the highest rated spray-on sunscreen on the EWG website.

One thing to consider too, is covering up whenever possible. I know that both my husband and son wear rashgards when swimming. We use less sunscreen and don't have to worry about it washing off.

As for the acne, have you ever seen a dermatologist? They might be able to give you some recommendations. Also, they would be able to determine if it truly is acne or if it is something else. I was about 30 with acne when I went to the dermatologist, who diagnosed me with rosacea and the acne was related to that.

Have you ever looked into mary kay? they have sunscreen that works really well and is light on the skin. they also have an aftersun gel that works great on my kids. Also if you do get a burn and you take the night solution from the timewise set and put it on the area at night then go to bed it really helps take the sting out and feel much better by morning. The day solution also has spf 25 and works great under your makeup. if you have any qustions just send me a message.

For you, Mary Kay's Day Solution is the perfect "solution." :) It protects your skin from the pollutants in the air, and has an SPF of 25 that stays with you all day. I wore it (alone) at the beach in Florida last year for vacation and I never got a sunburn at all -- and we were at the beach all day! I only applied it once in the morning. This really works & is great overall protection for your skin.

For the rest of your body & your kids, just regular SPF 30 is said to work from many dermatologists. Be sure to reapply regularly. Great job for thinking of your skin before you get wrinkles!! That's when you need to do it! =)

I started using a "sport" sunscreen on my oldest when he was about 2, because he would always play so hard outside, he needed something that was waterproof and sweat proof. My favorite is the No-Ad SPF 50 in the orange bottle. It's cheap so I don't feel bad putting it on a little thick. Remember to put it on the top of the ears, and even the part in their hair, anything that is showing could get burnt.

For myself I use a daytime moisturizer with SPF under my foundation, or a tinted moisturizer. I like Mary Kay's timewise, they don't feel heavy or greasy, and they have SPF 25.

We've used the spray-on sunscreen, and loved it. Just the Walgreen's store brand. Make sure you get the continuous spray. We apply it a little more often, but it's so easy, that it's not a big deal.

I use Garnier Fructise for every day on my face (and don't forget the neck and cleavage!). It only has an SPF of 15, so it's no good for heavy-duty times (like the pool or all day at the park), but it's nice and light, has a good moisturizer, doesn't smell like sunscreen, and is inexpensive.

I do home daycare and for many years now use the continuous spray variety of 30 SPF spray sunscreen. I have seen and read many reports and talked to my own Dr about anything over 30 is really a waste of $$, so I just get whats on sale (I ALWAYS just buy the store brand..Walmart, Target, etc..wherever I am or whoever has it on sale). I have never ever had a child burn. EVER.

My hubby uses it and he burns if he thinks about going outside. My daughter is actually , technically allergic to the sun (PMLE)...but after several mild exposures each year she can tolerate being out in the sun for short periods (usually still staying in the shade, wearing a floppy hat and often with an umbrella just in case). But she will wear this too and it makes a huge difference protecting her way way way sensitive skin.

I HIGHLY recommend it. Its quick and easy, covers well and worth the no hassle factor compared to slathering on lotion gunk on small active kids. My daycare kids (all under age 4) assume the "scarecrow" position! They know the drill!

For kids: Spray on sunscreen works great, but you have to reapply more often (but it's faster). Plus you can tag them when they are running away because they don't want to be sunscreened LOL. It also feels way less gross (on adults too). I prefer it for everywhere but my face. I keep some in my car for the 5-yo and myself.

For you: you can get a daily face lotion w/ sunscreen in it from anywhere from Target to Sephora to Bath and Body Works. Sephora used to have a great one but they discontinued it. =( All the others there are ~$50+. I found a good one for ~$20ish (I think) at Bath and Body Works. I can't remember what it's called, maybe Bigelow something...but I like it.

Also, you can get liquid foundation and powder w/ SPF in it too (I got both at Target) which is great b/c it's like triple protection! I carry the SPF powder in my purse for touch ups - though if I'm going to be in the sun a long time I have some regular Neutrogena sheer cream stuff that I use. Hope this helps!

I use the Neutrogena daily moisturizer with SPF in it and have had really good luck for daily sun exposure. As for "sunscreen", I really like the spray-on Coppertone for us and for our little one. I use the spray-on for my fair skinned boy and it is SO MUCH easier than the lotion!