Sunscreen/Sunblock Question

[luvstjohn]

Hey all you beach lovers out there. I need a little advice from the experts. We visited St John in 09 and were very good about lathering on the sunscreen. HOWEVER, we still got burnt. Me and my son will be going at the end of June beginning of July and we are both very fair redheads. Needless to say, we are thinking of body armor instead of sunscreen. Kind of hard to snorkel in body armor though. Plus then we read that all this suncreen is terrible for the ecosystem. Im learning more and more about the difference between sunscreen and sunblock. What do you all think is the best one you have tried? When we went in 09, we used the Neutrogena sunblock on our faces (which worked "relatively" well. We used the bullfrog spray spf as high as you can possibly get and we still got red. Not completely lobster fried, but still uncomfortably red. We plan on wearing white t-shirts in the water this time, so that should help but any ides our there are appreciated. Thanks

[augie]

Invest in long sleeve rashguards - much better protection from the sun than t-shirts. Very lightweight and flexible, too.

Wear a "do-rag" or something similar for your head, and slather that high SPF waterproof sunscreen/block on the exposed areas, and re-apply often.

Seek shade when not in the water, and drink a lot of water!

[djmom]

Second vote for the rash guard. There are all different kinds and they aren't all skin tight.

We think Coppertone Sport is the best. The Target brand aerosol (I think it is 30) is also good. The spray/aerosols are expensive, but worth it to us. It is so easy to reapply that you don't avoid it. Nothing worse than rubbing in sand with a lotion.

I like the Neutrogena face too.

[KathyMN]

Just bought rash guards for all of us... the Kore/Dry loose fitting ones for us old folks; fitted rash guard for the younger dude. They claim an SPF of +150. I have tried wearing a T-shirt when snorkeling, but it makes me get cold twice as fast... the wind blowing over that wet cotton on my back just does me in. These shirts are supposed to be made from a fiber that does not "absorb" the water. I'm hoping that will help. Only two weeks and I'll be able to test it and let you know.

I also second the aerosol Target or Banana Boat sunscreen. We're also light/red headed skin that never tans... just freckles, burns and peels. I don't know if the aerosol really works that much better than the cream, or if it's just so much easier to use that we are more diligent about reapplying it. But it works. Doesn't seem to "sweat off" as much either.

[luvstjohn]

So the Target one is the Up & Up branding right? I like the sprays better and will pay more cause they are just so much easier to use and faster.

I will look into the rash guards. Kathy, same with us. NEVER a tan day in my life. Burn, look like a lobster, peel, repeat. Thats my life. Thanks and keep the advise coming. We had used the Bullfrog in the past on motorcycle rides but its no match for the Carribean sun.

[RickG]

Ya, sun, burn, peel, repeat. Of course, Sweet Christine wins the Brown Betty contest.

I find the time of year makes a big difference summer/fall I have a bit of resistance to the sun, maybe worth SPF 3. Hats and quick-dry shirts are a huge help. I like the LL Bean Tropicwear button up shirts with the UPF 50 rating. Some of our STJ friends wear them in the water. I'm not a fan of the swim shirts, but some are and they work.

For sunscreen, the hard part is getting it on my girls, who would rather burn than look greasy. My baby, who is now 13, is very sensitive to sun and I try to keep a wide brim quickdry hat and sun glasses on her. She loves her swim shirts. We like the Coppertone Sport lotion because it lasts in the water. I buy the spray for my daughers because its easier to use when I'm holding them down with one arm.

Don't forget your koozy for you beer, sun's bad for suds too.

Cheers, RickG

[LauraD]

I burn easily and find that Bullfrog Surfer formula works the best. It is SPF 35 and waterproof for 8 hours. I also wear a wide brim hat. Laura

[Lindy]

If you are on any medications check with your doctor too. Certain medications such as diuretics and certain antibiotics can make you even more sensitive to the sun. I got fried my first trip to STJ even though I was using SPF 50. Then I realized that the diuretic I was taking could have been part of the problem. I went off of the diuretic (with my doctor's permission of course) for the last 3 trips and haven't had nearly as much trouble and have been able to use lower level SPFs. When I do get a little too much sun it's not been a huge problem like the first time - just some "pink" areas. Hats help alot for the face! Plus I try to make a conscious effort to stay in the shade as much as possible when I'm not in the water. I'd much rather do that than miss out on any snorkeling!!

[AquaGirl]

I am very sensitive to the sun and we love to snorkel for at least an hour or longer each time we go in the water. (Snorkel-a-holics?). I used to wear a T-shirt which saved my back, and a do-rag for my head. However, the backs of my legs occasionally got very burned. I can remember some very uncomfortable trips home on the plane. So, we bought some dive skins - they are like a one piece body suit, but not heavy like a wet suit. I never get sunburned, but ok, probably look pretty dorky getting in. (don't care) I tend to get chilly in the water, so the dive skin offers just a touch of warmth to keep me warm, so I like that. They are a nuisance to get on when they are wet, but they are so light they dry quickly.

I always seek out shade to sit or stand in as much as possible and wear a hat. I am going to have to try the spray on lotion. My husband sometimes avoids putting on lotion because he doesn't want greasy hands when he is messing around with his camera.

[bubblybrenda]

DermaSoleil products get my vote. Was given some as a gift years ago and it's the only sunsblock I will drive all over town trying to find (health foods stores carry it but drugstores don't). The DermaSoleil facial sunblock 30 gets my vote for facial sunscreen. Goes on non-greasy and works superbly. I also like that it's not full of too many "iffy" ingredients. However, being that I vacation solo and don't have anyone to rub the sunblock on my back I do buy the Coppertone Spray which I use only on my back (feels thick & heavy so I'm not keen on it).

http://www.dermamed.com/product_details ... efault.asp

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

This subject is huge with me! I do want to reiterate the concept that you brought up... Sun products are really bad for the coral. Of course you need to protect yourself. I am all for the rash guards, and hats, but they don't take care of it all. Using sun products carefully works. I live in Panama City, FL (home of the two legged lobster) and have very fair skin so am a sun block connoisseur. I have found that for the face, I use a fifty plus face sun block (I like Neutrogena), for the body, that is not covered by a rash guard, I use 75 or 85 water proof spray.(I know that they say the higher numbers are a waste, but I know different!!!) I do a good application before I leave the villa ( gives it time to dry well and it stays better) Then I re-apply when I get out of the water, and allow the stuff to dry thoroughly before going into the water again. If you apply and re-enter the water too soon, it does you no good and messes with the marine life.

[Rastadog]

My dermatologist introduced me to a great sunscreen, it's called Elta MD. You can buy it on-line. They make an SPF 50 Sport version that is one of the most water-proof sunscreens out there. Best - it doesnt burn or irritate your eyes when you sweat. It's fairly expensive, so I would only use this on your face and stick to the others for the rest of your body.

[susan & herb]

I use the Elta MD clear SPF 46 every day. What I like about it is that it is not greasy or heavy. I used to dread putting on daily sunscreen but knew that I needed it. Now using the Elta it's just like putting on skincare in the morning.

Will probably try the SPF 50 when we head down in May.
Lovelyskin.com usually sells it discounted or they sometimes have specials. Excellent products.

[surfnh]

Well, luckily we don't burn easily.....but my wife and I have used coppertone #8 for 35 years, it's very consistent protection, keeps us from burning and we get a good tan. Our whole family uses #8 and we have all the guests that we bring with us to STJ use it also, have never had bad burns with it. I will say we tried Hawaiian Tropic #8 one year and we all burned! So, equal spf's definitely aren't equal protection between brands in our opinion....coppertone is awesome.

I know most of you will say we're crazy, but the amount of protection you get beyond #15 isn't a huge improvement:

spf 15 is 92% protection from UV
spf 30 is 97%
spf 40 is 97.5%

Its important to be smart about it. We lotion at least 15min before getting to the beach to let it soak in, re-lotion alot, we use rash guards if in and out of water, and if the sun is really strong, we'll use #15. I'd highly recommend the rash guard and a wide brim hat for those with fair skin. Just to reiterate, its very important to keep adding lotion every time you come out of the water....don't believe all they tell you about water proof protection.

[cuey12]

The most important key to sunscreen lotion is to apply it at least 30 minutes before exposure. A tip is don't apply it with your swimsuit on. You will always miss a "spot". After that apply it though out the day--with clothes on-- haha. Don't forget the ears and back of neck. Also, if you snorkel alot remember the top of your feet. The friction from the fins wears the lotion off faster.