What sunscreen really works for you?

Clinique factor 30 works great on my head and face, and nivea kids factor 30 (the green coloured one so you don’t miss bits!) work really well for me, and I can burn in the shade :-)

I use Coppertone’s Water Babies, even as an adult. Works perfectly for me, and I’m of the Irish-fair-skinned-easy-to-burn variety.

I love coppertone, smells like summer and vacation to me. SPF 15 should be plenty. Without sunscreen I burn in 30 minutes, with 15 I stay stark white even if I am out for hours, which makes me think of one more thing, replace the sunscreen every couple of hours to insure your coverage is continued. If you are using Neutrogena lotion with SPF and not their sunscreen, it is possible you are sweating it off. Sunscreens are made to be water resistant or water proof to stay on during swimming. Make sure you are putting on enough. Also, are you sure it is sunburn and not some sort of allergy to the sun or reaction to the heat?

Bull Frog.

I’ve stopped using it, and switched to Kiss My Face moisturizer and a hat and staying in the shade.

banana boat
And always use foundation/primer with some amount of spf in it.

Just a side note UVB is what protects from burn (B Burn), it is what the SPF signifies. UVA is what is thought to cause cancer, so be sure whatever you use has UVA and UVB protection. Also, UVB blocks vitamin D absorption, so if you always protect yourself you should check you vitamin D level next time at the doctor. Almost everyone I know is VERY low.

My family is taking c.4000 IU D3 daily on advice of both Internist and Dermatologist.

A long-sleeved t-shirt and pants. And walking the dog at dusk.

Nothing under 50 spf works for my face, and I just use Water Babies. I burn terribly. Even with massive amounts of sunscreen at 50 spf, I still need to stay mostly in the shade. I have yet to find a non-greasy sun block that works.

I’m actually not sure which brand works, frankly, because I wear at least 50 on my face, neck, back of the neck, shoulders just inside my t-shirt, every bit of exposed skin if I’m going to be in the sun for more than half an hour, and I will reapply every hour and a half. So basically, any brand would work for me because I apply it so often.

I’m German, and English. I’m about a step away from albino… lol… and I stay that way all summer long. I remember being “tan” once.. and I was still white. Just not so pink. lol

Ocean Potion in a small round pod. I’ve tried the versions in the tubes and bottles, not the same though. The texture and absorbency of the one in the pod is very silky, absorbs quickly and lasts long.

Please also see the full site of the skin-cancer foundation for more info, but this may be of some help (from their Q&A-list):

Q. What is the easiest way to know if a sunscreen provides proper protection?

A. Besides checking the ingredient label, consumers can look for The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation on the label or in the packaging. The Seal is awarded to sun protection products that meet the rigorous requirements of the Foundation’s Photobiology Committee. Manufacturers must confirm that the product has an SPF of 15 or greater, validated by testing on 20 people, does not produce phototoxicity or contact irritation and has substantiated claims for water resistance. Following the FDA guidelines, a “water resistant” product must maintain its SPF after 40 minutes of water immersion, and a “very water resistant” product after 80 minutes.

By the end of the year, manufacturers who claim their products are broad-spectrum will also be required by the Foundation’s Photobiology Committee to provide documentation of proper UVA protection.

I’m a lifeguard/swim instructor that works 10+ hour days in the sun 5 days a week. Banana Boat and just the Target brand sunscreen work quite well for me. I like the Target alot because it is rather thick, and easy to get a nice heavy layer on.

The last 2 years I have used Aveeno’s sunscreen SPF 70 in the facial formula, and SPF 50 spray for the body. I have been very pleased with its performance for hiking, crabbing, tubing down the Delaware, etc.

As you may recall from when we met, I am quite fair. Phlebotomists love me, because I’m practically transparent! I hardly tanned as a kid, despite laying out for hours coated in baby oil with my friends – but I didn’t burn much then either. In my 20s, I got a couple very serious burns while taking birth control pills… nowadays they warn people about drugs that cause sun sensitivity, but they didn’t in the 80s. Now the sun causes my skin to itch and practically welt – like an allergic reaction – and I will burn fairly easily. I also have melasma on my face, and it darkens quickly with very little exposure.

When I know I’ll be out in the sun all day, I apply the sunscreen to my whole body and allow it to dry before getting dressed. Then, I reapply to exposed areas when I arrive at the beginning of the day’s events. I rarely reapply after that, and I have had very little evidence of further sun damage. I will wear a baseball-style cap or wide-brimmed hat, depending on the days’ activities; and I will not be seen on the beach in the daytime without an umbrella!

Remember your ears, too! I have seen people who have had to have portions of their ears cut off because of skin cancer. Especially those who have a sunroof or convertible should apply sunscreen to their face, ears, neck, shoulders and chest on every day that they’ll have the roof open!

@gailcalled be sure to have your calcium levels checked if you are taking high levels of D. I know a couple of people now that it went up, which is dangerous, can cause calcium to settle in soft tissues including arteries.

I second Bull Frog. Swear by it. Not the clear one but the cream. Used to use Banana Boat, but their formula has gotten real watery lately. I don’t like the kind that just washes right off into the ocean. Bull Frog sticks so well, that you have to really scrub to get the “stick” off. Use it when surfing and paddling for 3+ hours at a time and you can’t reapply. Best thing I’ve found so far.