<p>After a day of gardening yesterday I am hit with the reality that it is time to apply sunblock again. In the winter I get by with an SPF in my face lotion but now it isn’t enough. I use Ocean Potion for faces for tennis and beachgoing and that is a great sunblock but it goes on pretty thick and you have to make sure you don’t end up a white coating on your face.
I also would love some suggestions for shoulders and arms. I am looking for something that goes on easy and doesn’t leave me smelling like kids candy. I also hate the stuff that leaves you with that white film.
I used a face sunscreen of a friend who picked it up at a beauty supply that went on smooth and no odor but she said it is really expensive.
Would love to hear what others are using.</p>
<p>I love me some banana boat…that’s what all us hard-core Californians use. ^_^</p>
<p>Bullfrog works amazingly, but it doesn’t smell very good.</p>
<p>There’s a certain brand that I used to like a lot, but I can’t remember what it was. If I’m going to be out in the sun all day, every day for a while, I usually apply 45 for the first few days and then just use 15. I had a job where I was outside all summer once, and this worked out well. I always go for the oil-free. It’s much nicer to put on, your skin feels normal, your hands don’t get all greasy, and I’ve never had an issue with the smell of an oil-free sunscreen.</p>
<p>My sister swears by Neutrogena 45 oil-free. I think it’s a bit pricier, but she has sensitive skin so uses it on her face. I used it the other day, and it worked great. I was out on the water all day and didn’t burn at all, and I have very fair skin.</p>
<p>Sea & Ski Faces SPF 50. It has zinc in it, so very difficult to rub in, but seems to work very well and last a long time. I’ve actually found it at the dollar store sometimes, but you have to watch the expiration stuff because once a sunscreen gets old it doesn’t work nearly as well. Doesn’t have much of a smell, and I’ll use it on my arms as well. Doesn’t make me break out either.</p>
<p>Coppertone has some spray-on sunscreen (aerosol and non-aerosol) that I am very partial too. Goes on as a thin dusting and evaporates, leaving just the active ingredients on your skin. Not oily, not creamy… perfect for me. I’m not sure what kind of SPFs they make it in though - I use 15 everywhere (the joys of having a good tanning complexion).</p>
<p>Neutrogena is great.</p>
<p>Okay, I have experience on this one. First, my brother is an albino, second my dad was a chemist.</p>
<p>Dad actually created Pre-Sun and SunDown, due to my brothers condition. He went onto create Sea and Ski 29. </p>
<p>Theoretically 29 is the highest you will ever need, there is very little difference after you hit that number. </p>
<p>The most important thing is even if it states waterproof/sportsproof, to reapply every couple of hours, that is the difference that will be most important.</p>
<p>BTW the reason my Dad created SunDown, was because my brother was already self concious about his skin, putting on the white goop bothered him even more. Thus, Dad worked on making one that looked like sun tan oil…to answer the next question, no he did not make a million off of his invention since he was working for J&J, they had 1st dibs at it, and he was caught by his boss during his lunch hour making it.</p>
<p>We use buckets of Coppertone Sport #30 at the beach. It doesn’t leave you feeling like a greased pig like many others. I’ve recently read that sunblocks w/ helioplex are much better since they block everything. I tried one last summer (can’t remember brand – Neutrogena?) but it left me feeling all greasy.</p>
<p>I use the Neutrogena for sensitive skin that comes in the spray bottle. Love it!</p>
<p>I use a product called Replenishing Sunblock SPF36, bought on line through a specialty skin site, but I originally was introduced to it by a skin aesthetician. It may be packaged under different brands. It has a pale pink tint, nice fragrance, good for sensitive skin. This is for the face, but it is expensive for whole body usage.</p>
<p>Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunblock</p>
<p>Tried several in Hawaii last summer. The Neutragena aerosol seemd to go everywhere but where I wanted it to, plus sent a film all over the hotel room. I agree with the caution to check dates - one bottle of Banana Boat looked “curdled” and turned out to be past dates.<br>
Bullet, who markets SunDown? We’re floating the Grand Canyon this summer and will need mega sunscreen on the river.
Good to know that 50 is no better than 30 - could save some money!</p>
<p>I burn just walking down the driveway to my mailbox! I have the best results with Coppertone Sport 45 and Hawaiian Tropic 50+. I use Coppertone Faces on my face. Just be sure that if you use an aerosol, you rub it in. I have neglected that step, and I ended up with an uneven burn. I haven’t had good luck with Neutrogena sunblocks. I have burned relatively quickly, even with 45.</p>
<p>I am so pleased with the wonderful sunscreen products on the market today. I burned all the time when I was young, no matter what sunscreen I used. When I went to Ft. Lauderdale on spring break in college, I used TONS of sunscreen & burned to a lobster hue on my very first day. I spent the rest of the trip in the shade (by the bar …). On my honeymoon in Bermuda, we had to wait 1/2 hour after arrival at our hotel before we could check in. My H & I played shuffleboard … and I ended up with a blistering burn (I had to wear a light jacket to meals, it was so disgusting to look at). </p>
<p>My parents moved to FL several years ago, and I finally had to go to visit. I was thrilled to find that my Coppertone Sport protected me through even my 3 day visit to Disney World. Thank heaven for progress!</p>
<p>We’ve had good luck over the years with the non-rub, sport sprays. There’s a couple of different ones that don’t spray on a white coating but a clear one. Coppertone has a continuous spray and Banana Boat (in the orange pump bottle!) has one that we use all the time (only using the Coppertone when we can’t get the other stuff). I hate that white gunk, esp. at the beach where the sand sticks to it. Sand doesn’t seem to stick as much to the clear sprays and it’s cool on your skin, instead of warm. Just make sure it doesn’t say ‘lotion’ anywhere on the bottle 'cause that’s the creamy stuff. </p>
<p>I’m the child of a red-head and a blue-eyed blonde and I burn like bacon. With these sprays, I stay my natural color.</p>
<p>Not to hijack the thread, but has anyone researched the difference between the “sun proof” fabrics vs. normal tightly woven ones? Do you need to buy a $60 SPF 50 shirt or does your ordinary shirt do as well?</p>
<p>I have never burned through any shirt.</p>
<p>b&P, that is so interesting. Our dermatologist recommends PreSun and Sundown. He also suggests Neutrogena for the face.</p>
<p>See the comprehensive sunscreen reviews at [Skin</a> Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database - Special Report](<a href=“http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens/summary.php]Skin”>http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens/summary.php). These reports are chock full of technical details. Based on their reviews, I use [Blue</a> Lizard SPF 30+ Sport Sunscreen](<a href=“http://www.coolibar.com/05141.html]Blue”>http://www.coolibar.com/05141.html) for surfing in Hawaii. [Coolibar](<a href=“http://www.coolibar.com/index.html”>http://www.coolibar.com/index.html</a>) has a wide variety of sun protection products.</p>
<p>dirt works
I am a redhead & D is a blonde( although her dad is blond and northern Italian, they both tan) and she came back from Africa pale as when she left.
She put sunscreen on- but lotion would have done just as well, because the Saharan winds blow sand every where & of course it just glues to the lotion.
Not much water to wash with either.</p>
<p>But anyway- the nurse that advised us on sunscreen for Africa recommended Neutrogena- which is what she uses - the broad spectrum.
<a href=“http://www.rei.com/rei/learn/noDetail.jsp?URL=/rei/learn/camp/howsunscreenf.jsp[/url]”>http://www.rei.com/rei/learn/noDetail.jsp?URL=/rei/learn/camp/howsunscreenf.jsp</a></p>
<p>Due to the fact that my brother is albino, it is not uncommon for somone to burn through the shirt. He wears a brand new white tee shirt when he goes on the beach. He is married now and his wife loves the carribean, they go on cruises every yr to bahams, mexico, etc. He never comes home with a burn anymore, but he is very careful to constantly re-apply every few hours…as I said that is the true key.</p>