Since the sun has made an appearance, lets talk sunscreen.

[matrix82]

The Sun is back.

My newest sunscreen that I find has been working is the Neutrogena Sheer Touch. What about you?

[DiamondLil]

We use the one intended for children, so its usually banana boat or neutrogena spf 60. Im medium/dark skin tone, so I dont get very many burns, but one thing I remember growing up is mom using noxzema on burns. Hate that stuff, but have to admit, it worked.

[marstec]

I find the higher SPF's with zinc really hard to apply. We really only use sunscreen when we are on holidays, and it's the Ombrelle spray-on with 30 SPF. We also have some lotions around but they are getting to the end of their expiry. I prefer to apply lotion to the face rather than spray. When I'm out in my garden, I'm usually dressed from head to toe because of the mosquitoes. Good thing I don't have a sweating problem or else I would really smell "sweet".

[glowworm2k]

I generally use whatever broad-spectrum SPF 45 or better (I don't like to get a tan even, so SPF 45 keeps me nice and pale ) I can pick up on sale. Right now with the pregnancy though, I can't t use any products with strong smells - they make me feel sick and give me headaches. I picked up the new SPF 45 life brand (it's in a white bottle)... it's nearly unscented, was a good price, and hasn't led to any tanning as far as I can tell. I also always wear a hat when I'm out and prefer the shade... I do love walking though, so I slather on the sunscreen before heading out if there's any chance of sun exposure.

I wait only 5-15 minutes before heading out. I generally put on the sunscreen, then get whatever I need for outside ready, then head out.

I rarely get burned (hasn't happened in years), but DH is not careful in the sun despite my nagging. Thus, for a sunburn, apply regular white vinegar to it asap after you get it... this will help to minimize peeling and also to speed healing. It doesn't hurt, it just feels cool on your skin, although you will smell like coleslaw After half an hour or so (or at least long enough for the vinegar to evaporate), I apply aloe to the affected areas. Solarcaine also works, and I suggest it for especially before bed if you have a sunburned back and shoulders. It has an analgesic and ointment, so it's a good choice for sunburns and other burns and takes the sting out so that you can get some sleep

For fun in the sun, I have a few of those fancy schmancy running shirts that wick sweat and block UVA/UVB rays. I love to put them on when I know I can't avoid the sun and heat.

[princesskimmi]

I have a hint...make sure that your sunscreen is not expired from last year...also since its early in the season, watch out in the stores, as some stores have expired sunscreen on the shelves from last year.

This is a really important tip - Dr.Oz and the Today show did features about sunscreen and this was a top point - Especially if you are like me and leave the "beach" bag in the car which gets hot and cold thus changing the chemical thingys in the sunscreen - I checked my cupboards and I and my MIL had sunscreens that expired in the 90's!! Out they went.

For my kids I use Banana Boat SPF 60 - For me I use an Oil SPF 4 (So Bad I Know)

Last summer we bought the kids Coppertone Spray on One and it seemed like a big waste - I prefer the good old fashioned Lotion.

PS - Those in Ont can feel free to send the Sun and heat out West please!!!

[i_forget]

I used the spray sunscreen in the orange bottle from Costco last year and will never use that stuff again. My kids are of pasty white German/English backgrounds, so they got burnt last year even though I reapplied several times over an afternoon at the Beach. I am already sporting my annual "farmers" tan. I look funny....my face is pale and my arms are a nice golden colour.

Not sure what brand sunscreen I am going to try this year, I think I have pretty much tried all the name brands and store brands with no success.

[Tweetybird999]

I love Aveen no-oil spf 60 for my face if I"m going to be outside. For daily, spf 30 in my day cream. For kids, Coppertone sport spf 45 or oil free spf 60 for kids. I also put it on my arms legs, etc. My new lesson....don't forget hands! It's not too nice to have liver spots on hands, better to prevent it. I gave my assistant a coppertone spf 45 spray. She kept burning (bright red) her head being a soccer referee. They can't wear hats and she didn't think of using a spray on her head. Worked like a charm.

[blueskb33]

A good website to check the ratings of sunscreens is ewg.org. A lot of sprays are convient but not so great with the chemicals used in them.

[matrix82]

I find noxema works well for burns as well, it seems to cool them down.

[c_mcarthur]

coppertone spf 60 for my body, neutrogena sheer sunscreen spf 75 for my face, I can only use neutrogena on my face because I have acne prone skin still

[ninna]

I'm not brand loyal. I use the highest SPF I can find at the most reasonable price. Except, I will not use the aerosol stuff--not only because you get jack-diddly out of a can but also because I cannot get past the irony that aerosol cans were what apparently caused the ozone hole in the first place. So to use an aerosol can sunscreen to protect me from the sun's rays that now enter our world so freely because we used to used aerosol so much in the 80's....gah. It makes me furious. And that's all I will say about that.

Often I will buy my sunscreen at the end of the summer season for the following year. I burn very, very easily though so I prefer SPF 60 (or more) when I can get it. I don't care if I walk around looking like a baby's bottom that has zinc oxide cream smeared all over it (LOL)-- I've been charred too many times in my younger years to risk it now.

[Lynn49]

Did you all see the test results from the Consumers group in the US?
The LEADING sunscreen protection was acheived by the brand: NO AD!!


30% sunscreen is all anyone needs, they said, anything over that is a
waste of money.....I wish I could find their results...but of course you
have to pay to see them on their site...I watched the results on a tv show.

Ah. Here are the results on a news site...http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...152051385.html

And, of course, Clark Howard!
http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clar...ks-best/nC2GS/

Interesting, hm?

[matrix82]

I used to love No Ad, but once Kmart closed we couldn't find it in my area. I had found it worked well, I didn't know it was still around, I haven't seen it in years.

[toban]

What type of sunscreen do you use?

I either use Ombrelle or Coppertone Sport (the one in the blue bottle) SPF of either 30 or 45. My neighbour had some basal skin cancer removed and the doctor recommended the Ombrelle. So I decided to try it. I plan on trying the Vichy Capital Soleil for my face that someone recommended in this thread. My face skin is sensitive. I've been using the above sunscreens for my face in the mean time but not too great for my sensitive face.

Your lips are important too and also a risk for skin cancer. Find a lipbalm or chapstick with SPF.

I tan easily however after seeing skin cancer patients waiting at a plastic surgeons office, I make sure to apply sunscren all the time


How long do you wait after applying sunscreen?

I apply and wait maybe 10-15 minutes. Depends on how much of a hurry I'm in lol.

What works for after a sunburn?

Aloe Vera Gel and/or a cool shower

Hints to have fun in the sun but to avoid getting burned

Wear sunscreen and a hat.