My safer sunscreen doesn't seem to be as affective

[okinawama]

After a lot of reading on here, I decided to switch over to California baby sunscreen this summer. We are currently on vacation with my family and we spend about an hour in the morning (1030) and an hour in the afternoon ( around 330) out by the pool or the beach. The first part of the trip I used California baby sunscreen on both my boys, but we quickly began to run out so I switched my older son (who has less sensitive skin) to Neutrogena baby so that I could use the CB on my 12month old ( obviously next time I'll come a little more prepared).

After switching DS1, I noticed that my 12month old (using California Baby) is getting significantly tanner than my first son (using Neutrogena). I'm applying the sunscreen about 20 minutes or so before heading outside and don't reapply since we're only out there for about an hour or so at a time. Is this pretty standard for the safer sunscreens? I guess I'm feeling a little guilty seeing a tan on my 12month old.

[citymama]

California baby sunscreen and bug spray are too "namby pamby" to be effective in my pedaitrician's opinion. Try Badger, Purple Prairie or Blue Lizard Baby - all safer, and all very effective. Your best weapon is definitely a good hat and rashguard!

[ahisma]

All Terrain woks great too. We spend hours on the beach with it and the kids come in as pale as they were when they went out.

CA Baby reformulated some of their products in a pretty uncool way a while back. I don't have any idea if sunscreens were involved but they lost my business permanently over the stunt. They're in the "Sigg" camp in my book now.

[AnnieW625]

Some kids just tan. My DD1 wears SPF 50 and still tans, and doesn't burn. The no burning part is the key for me. I have never used CA Baby so I can't really comment, but if you really want something else just start using the Neutrogena on him or get Coppertone Pure & Simple SPF50 or Blue Lizard Sensitive (same as Baby, just $2 cheaper).

I am a big fan of sunscreen that works too. Love the Mamby Pamby comment from
Citymama's ped., so true!

[wendibird22]

I've had a lot of success with Alba kids (the light blue tube...fragrance free). Not too white, not sticky or oily, rubs in easy, no burns.

http://www.amazon.com/Alba-Botanica-SunBlock-Mineral-protection/dp/B001ET7BO4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1337800682&sr=8-2

[Green_Tea]

I know it's an unpopular opinion here, but I have had bad luck with pretty much all of the "safe" sunblocks and just use regular old Coppertone SPF 50 on all three kids. I could keep looking and trying the "safe" stuff, but they're all so expensive and it really makes me mad to have dropped so much $$ on products that my kids burn straight through. My pediatrician routinely tells us the the risk excessive sun exposure poses far exceeds the risks of mainstream sunblocks.

Putting on my less expensive, mainstream, chemical filled flame suit now :).

[infomama]

I swear by Vanicream. We use the 60 SPF. We were at a baseball game over the weekend and it was about 82° full sun and we were out for no less than three hours in it. No one even got pink and we are all fair skinned. I buy 10 tubes at the beginning of each summer and get a quantity discount. I think I pay about $12 a tube.

[Binkandabee]

I know it's an unpopular opinion here, but I have had bad luck with pretty much all of the "safe" sunblocks and just use regular old Coppertone SPF 50 on all three kids. I could keep looking and trying the "safe" stuff, but they're all so expensive and it really makes me mad to have dropped so much $$ on products that my kids burn straight through. My pediatrician routinely tells us the the risk excessive sun exposure poses far exceeds the risks of mainstream sunblocks.

Putting on my less expensive, mainstream, chemical filled flame suit now :).

This is us, too. My fair skinned kids spend a LOT of time out in the sun every single day. I need something that is easy to apply (quickly..we put it on every single morning in the summer) and that I am 100% certain works. For us, it's regular ol' Coppertone as well.

I'm in the risk of sunburn/skin cancer has to be worse than whatever the chemicals in the sunscreen are doing. So we go with it!

[daisymommy]

Ahisma: which All Terrain sunscreen works great for your kids? The lotion or spray ?

I just ordered some Purple Prairie, but may get some A.T to try too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lcarlson90]

We have been using the Coppertone Baby - Pure and Simple sunblock and it's been working fine and my DS is as pale as a ghost. I believe it rates a "2" on the list of safe sunscreens. I can get it at Target which is another plus.

We bought the All Terrain spray last year which was pretty pricey and it didn't work at all on my DS. He got a sunburn every day I used it.

[kristac]

We have been using the Coppertone Baby - Pure and Simple sunblock and it's been working fine and my DS is as pale as a ghost. I believe it rates a "2" on the list of safe sunscreens. I can get it at Target which is another plus.


:yeahthat:

Rite Aid has it for $7.99 +$2 up rewards this week and there is a coupon in last Sunday's paper ($1 off 1 or $3 off 2).

[wendmatt]

:yeahthat:

Rite Aid has it for $7.99 +$2 up rewards this week and there is a coupon in last Sunday's paper ($1 off 1 or $3 off 2).

Same here, works well, you can buy anywhere, reasonably priced, and rated well.

[teresah00]

We use badger(stick for faces). No issues whatsoever.

I just started using goddess garden kids spray for on the go. No complaints so far :)

[k_null81]

I swear by Vanicream. We use the 60 SPF. We were at a baseball game over the weekend and it was about 82° full sun and we were out for no less than three hours in it. No one even got pink and we are all fair skinned. I buy 10 tubes at the beginning of each summer and get a quantity discount. I think I pay about $12 a tube.

:yeahthat:

We used Vanicream last summer and had no burn issues either and we were in Disney World for a week in May last year...thinking about trying something new but maybe I'll just stick with vanicream. We had the 60 spf and I think the 35 spf sport.

Where do you buy it bulk?

[lablover]

Has anyone tried the Banana Boat Natural Reflect? I was in Target today and saw that if you buy two bottles you get a $5 gift card. I also had a $1 coupon so I went ahead and bought two. (Reg price was $8.99 for 4 oz.) I was just googling it and there are only 3 reviews on amazon but 2 of those people said they broke out in a rash. I guess I will patch test on my kids before putting it all over their bodies.

[wellyes]

Coppertone Pure & Simple all the way. We're fair and go through a ton of it. Easy to spread, easy to find, not expensive, and nothing scary on the ingredient list.

[infomama]

:yeahthat:

We used Vanicream last summer and had no burn issues either and we were in Disney World for a week in May last year...thinking about trying something new but maybe I'll just stick with vanicream. We had the 60 spf and I think the 35 spf sport.

Where do you buy it bulk?

I buy it from Coolibar.com they give a few dollars off each tube when I buy more than 3. I also wait for free shipping.

[BabbyO]

I know it's an unpopular opinion here, but I have had bad luck with pretty much all of the "safe" sunblocks and just use regular old Coppertone SPF 50 on all three kids. I could keep looking and trying the "safe" stuff, but they're all so expensive and it really makes me mad to have dropped so much $$ on products that my kids burn straight through. My pediatrician routinely tells us the the risk excessive sun exposure poses far exceeds the risks of mainstream sunblocks.

Putting on my less expensive, mainstream, chemical filled flame suit now :).

Us too. I haven't even looked at which are safe and which are not. I agree with the excessive sun exposure vs mainstream chemical risk.

Do you have a spare less expensive, mainstream, chemical filled flame suit, I'll join you!

[trales]

We use the "safe" sunscreens all summer up her in NH. But when we go to Florida every year for the first week of May I go chemical. We get so burned with the physical blockers and the Coppertone Pure and Simples stings the eyes so bad.

We just used Banana Boat 50 tear free all week with no burns. Granted we were at the beach/ pool 10 hours per day with no shade so we needed bomb proof sunscreen.

[Melbel]

I swear by Vanicream. We use the 60 SPF. We were at a baseball game over the weekend and it was about 82° full sun and we were out for no less than three hours in it. No one even got pink and we are all fair skinned. I buy 10 tubes at the beginning of each summer and get a quantity discount. I think I pay about $12 a tube.

We have been using the Coppertone Baby - Pure and Simple sunblock and it's been working fine and my DS is as pale as a ghost. I believe it rates a "2" on the list of safe sunscreens. I can get it at Target which is another plus.

We bought the All Terrain spray last year which was pretty pricey and it didn't work at all on my DS. He got a sunburn every day I used it.

:yeahthat:

We used Vanicream last summer and had no burn issues either and we were in Disney World for a week in May last year...thinking about trying something new but maybe I'll just stick with vanicream. We had the 60 spf and I think the 35 spf sport.

Where do you buy it bulk?

Coppertone Pure & Simple all the way. We're fair and go through a ton of it. Easy to spread, easy to find, not expensive, and nothing scary on the ingredient list.

:yeahthat: These are the two safe sunscreens that we like.

Vanicream has worked great for us at home and in the Bahamas (Floridians who make it to the beach frequently). It is available behind the pharmacy counters at Target or on amazon.com for about $13 a tube.

Coppertone Pure & Simple also works well for us, but the Vanicream works a little better IME.

[janine]

Think I"m sold on the Coppertone Pure & Simple now.

Is it ok for babies too (6-12 mo's)?

[wendmatt]

I would think so. Better than burning and still pretty safe on the EWG site.

[georgiegirl]

Coppertone Pure and Simple is the worst sunscreen ever!!!!! It gave me the most wretched rash of my life (oozing blisters all over my arms and shoulders). It ruined my vacation and I ended up with a steroid shot in my ass and 8 days on prednisone. If you at all have sensitive skin or are prone to s rashes from lotions or sunscreens... DO NOT USE COPPERTONE PURE AND SIMPLE. I bought it because of the EWG high rankings (best ranking of al the ones in the Florida super market.). But it has chemicals in it. I made my life a living hell for a week. It has two chemical sunscreens in it...not sure and simple at all

Okay, rant over.

I've had great luck with physical sunscreens. Last year I used Tru Kids Sunny Days for our week in Disney. We applied it in the morning and after lunch. After a week in the sun (80s and sunny in may), we all looked as pasty white as we did before our trip.

[BabyH]

This was a good thread to read, as I'm heading out later to do the sunscreen stock up. But I'm also in the camp that thinks "use whatever works" - as a mama who has a long past of being sun stupid, and has had seven different Mohs surgeries in the past few years, I'm finally (thank goodness) realizing the dangers and risks of sunburns. My doc also thinks I have a genetic disposition to these "severe" moles, so that worries me for DS. DH, DS and I are all dark complected and tan (but probably shouldn't) very easily.

Last year I loved the Alba for DS, but recently I bought, on a whim, the Water Babies Foaming sunscreen, and let me tell you - I don't know what it scores or anything like that, but I'll sing its praises - easy to apply, absorbs without any white left behind, and it WORKS. I'm going to get more of that and a couple of the sprays for repeat applications while out in the sun. Yesterday at the Derm (another Mohs.......) she told me I needed to use higher than SPF 15 (hey, it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks, right?) so I'm going to find some REAL protection for myself today as well.

[wellyes]

Coppertone Pure and Simple is the worst sunscreen ever!!!!! It gave me the most wretched rash of my life (oozing blisters all over my arms and shoulders). It ruined my vacation and I ended up with a steroid shot in my ass and 8 days on prednisone. If you at all have sensitive skin or are prone to s rashes from lotions or sunscreens... DO NOT USE COPPERTONE PURE AND SIMPLE. I bought it because of the EWG high rankings (best ranking of al the ones in the Florida super market.). But it has chemicals in it. I made my life a living hell for a week. It has two chemical sunscreens in it...not sure and simple at all

Okay, rant over.

I've had great luck with physical sunscreens. Last year I used Tru Kids Sunny Days for our week in Disney. We applied it in the morning and after lunch. After a week in the sun (80s and sunny in may), we all looked as pasty white as we did before our trip.
Yes, it is a partly chemical sunscreen. That's why it is so easy to apply and use, but, if you only want a physical block (like zinc oxide), it is not a good choice.

We use it from 6 months & up. I use it too, everywhere except my face

[AnnieW625]

Georgie, so sorry for your issues with the Pure & Simple. I had similar skin irritation issues with issues with Blue Lizard Sensitive. Everyone's skin is different.

[okinawama]

Well I guess CB isn't the way to go for us after all. We've actually run out of it so I plan on using Neutrogena for both boys until I can find a different brand or who knows, we may just stick with the "best protection beats safer ingredients" school of thought.

Thanks for your help everyone!

[wellyes]

we may just stick with the "best protection beats safer ingredients" school of thought.I do not think "unsafe" ingredient sunscreens are better protection. At all. From everything I've read, and my own experiences as a pale person who has literally NEVER had a tan (at best, I freckle), the "physical block" sunscreens offer more effective protection from burns and damage than the chemical sunscreens.

Don't read this as preachy - it's not meant to be. We are a family that uses the EWG-not-approved sunscreens on no-shade beach days for convenience sake. I am not someone who thinks using good old fashioned bad-for-you sunscreen will leech into you and turn you into a mutant, trust me. I just had so many burns growing up, and my dad's had some skin cancer scares, so I as passionate on the topic. Just saying I think physical blocks are the most effective if you can stand the issues with it (expensive, being too thick, etc).

Whatever you get, make sure it's "broad spectrum" though. Not just SPF, which only protects from UVB rays. As few as 15-20 years ago, scientists thought that UVA rays only caused tanning (and aging). Now we know that the radiation from both UVA and UVB pose cancer risks.