Hi fellow Moms,
I have a very fair-skinned, blond haired, blue eyed toddler. I have tried different sunblocks on him, but they seem to all be the same. The last one I tried was Coppertone's WaterBabies Pure and Simple (the pink bottle), that claims it doesn't sting the eyes, but my son just rubs and rubs his eyes and cries. I have also tried the WaterBabies stick (looks like a glue stick) but he still rubs it into his eyes. Of course, the more he rubs, the more it probably hurts, and the more irritated his eyes get, but you can't explain that to a toddler, unfortunately! Have anyone solved this problem with your kids?
I use the California Baby sunblock stick for my son's face...it's expensive, but I just use it on his face, so it lasts pretty long, and he hasn't had any problems. He has pretty sensitive skin, and the California Baby doesn't seem to bother his face at all. I got mine at Whole Foods, but I saw it at Target the other day, too.
Don't put sunscreen on his forehead. Sweat will make any product run into the eye area. Put a hat on his head and tie it on. He needs protection from the sun pounding on his scalp anyway and the hatbrim will protect the eyes. Even a little pair of sunglasses would help. Have fun in the sun mommy.
banana boat for babies and kids is tear free (i've accidentally rubbed it right across my 2-year-old's eyes w/o any complaints from her and she's a total drama queen!). it also doesn't have oxybenzone, one of the ingredients in sunscreen that can actually cause cancer!
I am limited to the brand of sunscreen we use, as my daughter and I both have skin allergies. And what we use stings the eyes. So I have had to find an alternative solution: I no longer put sunscreen on my kids' forehead (which sweats into their eyes) and I don't put it on their hands. But they are required to wear a hat with a brim that covers their forehead, neck and most of their face). They have gotten over fighting about the hats, as they've learned that "no hat" means we go inside/go home.
But I hope you find a brand that doesn't sting! That would be easier!
Hi! You might want to try a powder sunblock. I use one called Colorescience Sunforgettable that I ordered online. It is a little expensive (around $50)but lasts a long time. I am really sensitive to any sunblock lotion and always had trouble with it stinging my eyes. The powder doesn't seem to do this and it is easy to apply. You can buy a translucent powder or if it is for yourself, they even make a tinted one. I also use it on my 22 month old daughter and it has worked really well. Hope that helps!
I'm using Neutrogena pure & free spf 60 for my 6 month old. It says it is made of naturally sourced sunscreen ingredients, so I think the sting factor would be less. The package came with a tiny tube and also a stick. I've only used the lotion so far and have had no problem whatsoever.
I have the same problem. I use a stick called "Kiss my Face". It has no preservatives, is waterproof and 52% organic ingredients. I got it at Whole Foods. No problems anymore with eye burning.
I don't think there is a sunscreen that doesn't sting the eyes-only ones that don't "run" into them. In order to have the sun protection there has to be a chemical in the sunscreen to do that. I find that anytime I accidentally get sunscreen in my eyes or too close to my eyes, is when it hurts. Maybe try not going right up to their eyes. When you put it on their eyelids try to stay close to the eyebrow (because some will make its way down) and don't get too close underneath either. The thicker, more water proof the better. I have not personally used the stick form-although I have sold it and I believe that consistency would help around the face and eyes. Just don't get it too close to his eyes in the first place and maybe he won't want to rub them? You can use fun sunglasses as a sunscreen backup (plus protect his vision) Good Luck!
I'm not sure if you've tried this but coppertone has a stick designed specifically for kids. It looks like a glue stick and it has a similar consistency so it doesn't run. My kids use this & I haven't had any problems. Hope this helps!
last year I found a tiny little tub of face stuff. It was labeled "clear zinc" and on the side it said "for faces, noses and lips" It had a yellow top, white bottom, about 1 1/2 inches across and an inch tall. It was PERFECT and even my picky husband didn't mind it at all. It did cost an bit, but since you only use it on your face it lasted the whole season easily (for our family of 4)
Hi Lynn- I've been using Nature's Gate Mineral Block (in the brown tube). So far so good- for both my sensitive skinned 3 year old and myself. You can find it at Whole Foods in the baby section.
Good luck!
Lynn,
What about a "face" sunscreen (not necessarily a kid's one) that is sweatproof and waterproof? I have used the Neutrogena one and the blue Coppertone stick & bottle with no problems.
Part of the issue may be that you're putting on and he's expecting a problem? I "switched strategies" with my kids. Bought a "new" bottle and told them it was "special" for faces (and eyes) - which it is. And then we put it on AT HOME while we brush our teeth. It dries better because they aren't already wet or sweaty, and I don't have to hold them down or risk smearing it into their eyes while they are anxious to go play. This strategy has worked perfectly! It's cool in the house. They don't expect it to be a problem. And we've been fine. If/when we need to reapply when we are out and about, I just use the stick...I ONLY reapply after they are seated, have/are having a snack and have dried off and cooled down a bit. We used this "break time" to potty, eat and reapply before going back out for some fun.
BTW - I keep the "face" bottle in my bathroom next to my deodorant. It helps remind ME to put on sunblock before we all go outside.
I hope this helps!
Sara
P.S. Can you tell I also work at a pool?
Vanicream sport sunblock. Its over the counter, but you have to ask the pharmacist at CVS to order it for you. It is cheaper than the other sunblock and has no fragrance, parabens, lanolins, etc...I use it for my daughter and myself because we have terrible eczema. I put it on the face and have never had a problem. The other suggestions I was going to say was maybe try a facial moisturizer than had a sunscreen in it. That should just absorb in the skin and not run. Another mom also suggested the sticks that are made for the face. Mustela makes a good stick for the face and that has never ran for me.
california baby. i have never had an issue and neither has my daughter
I have an allergy that makes sunblock on my face feel like fire. My daughters are the same way and will SCREAM if I put typical sunscreens on their face. The only thing I can stand is Skinceuticals Facial sunscreen. A little bit goes a long way.
We are of Scandinavian descent too so we know your pain! There is a website where you can search the safety of many cosmetic products including sunscreen. It's www.cosmeticsdatabase.com You can enter a product you have and read their reviews or browse a category like "sunscreen" and look for brands that are recommended. We are currently using Badger Sunscreen SPF 15 or 30 but also like Burt's Bees.
