Is It Ok to Use Sunscreen and Bug Spray Together

My understanding is that it is okay to use seperate sunscreens and bug sprays. Don't use the combo stuff!
Sorry to say that the Avon stuff just works for the first few minutes.

I think it is Coppertone that makes bug and sun. It works great and doesn't break the bank. I have put both sunscreen and bug spray on my kids with no ill side affects.

I'm not sure about the combo stuff. Our son is allergic to mosquito bites, too. It's called Skeeter Syndrome. We just carry Benadryl fast dissolve strips and cream with us. If he feels the bite (any bug qualifies for the syndrome), we give him the oral. If we just notice the swelling we use the cream if it's early enough, otherwise he seems to need the oral. GL! (I think I'm going to try the recipe with the oils. Skin-So-Soft gives both me and my son a rash. FYI, if your son has sensitive skin.)

Hi J.,

Have you considered essential oil bug sprays? They are NATURAL and most important SAFE, not to mention they smell good!
Not all essential oils are made the same (you get what you pay for, cheap oils have "fillers" and aren't pure) That why I recommend a company called Forever Green for pure oils. www.###-###-####.myforevergreen.org You will find these oils in the TRUessence section under single oils.

Here's the recipe for a NATURAL bug spray:
Peppermint 5 drops
Basil 3 drops
Dill 1 drop
Add to a 2 oz blue or brown glass spritzer bottle (Whole Foods has them for$3.00) fill with distilled water.

Shake well before each use and spray as needed.

I hope that helps!

L.
###-###-####

In thought you shouldn't use a combo bug spray and sunscreen because sunscreen needs to be reapplied and bug spray with deet should not. This is a tough one. If you use something natural it probably wouldnt be as much of an issue to reapply often.

Hi!

I would try Skin So Soft with Bug Guard (from Avon). It is safe and waterproof for kids with a bug guard that is DEET free! I use it for my 2 1/2 yr old. I actually sell Avon, so if you are interested in getting some just let me know! Thanks! R.

Hi I have been looking at safe sunscreen online and I came across this and thought of you. I know my response is coming late. The product I found is California Baby SPF30+ Citronella Sun Lotion. It supposedly also works as a bug repellent. I checked out its safety rating on EWG's Skin Deep: Cosmetic Database and its score is a 1 which is low hazard. THey rate from 0-10. Its a blend of essential oils. Good luck. THey have it at www.diapers.com, and I'm sure elsewhere, but it looks like something you might be looking for.

I had the same thing when I was a kid, he will outgrow it. I lived in Oklahoma where they had TONS of mosquitos and every summer it was miserable. I had these huge welts when I got bit.
Go to Cosmetics database.com. They say in general it is not a good idea to mix the products as there is less ingredients. Also there are natural mostquito repellents you can do like lavender oil or lemon oils, research those as they are much safer.
I will not use DEET, I will just keep my kids covered at dusk and dawn and away from watery areas at these times. I have never used repellent and my kids four and seven have never been bitten. I just hate using that harsh of a chemical.
You can see what the ingredients are and how risky they are at the above website, very enlightening. Also Avon makes some pretty safe and good productes.
Have him wear a shirt, do not let him without one and if it is stagnant water change it out, mosquitos don't typically hang around swimming pool with chlorine, lakes and baby pools are the culprits. If you have any standing water in your yard, dump it daily even in the base of flower pots.
Dog bowls, baby pools, birth baths, etc. That is where they thrive.

I just read in one of those parenting magazines that roll on anti-perspirant (not deodorant) has something in it that will counteract the mosquito bite and take out the swelling in about 20 minutes. I haven't tried it, but I'm anxious to see if it does.

There are bug spray's out there that don't have deet in them - I know Burt's Bees stuff doesn't. No deet, no absorption right? So just look for those kinds and your boy should be fine.

Avon makes a great combo - I believe it's a Skin So Soft product. It works great, uses an alternative to Deet, and even smells good!

There are several products that have both sunscreen and bug repellent in them. I like BullFrog. You can get a high SPF that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, plus has a bug repellent that is DEET free. Like I said, though, there are several different brands on the market, so just make sure to look carefully at labels to make sure you are getting what you want. Good luck!

Hi J.,
Bug spray is a tricky thing. Use a NO DEET bug spray first. Lot's of great natural, non-toxic sprays out there. You can get them at Sunflower, wHOLE FOODS, etc. (secret- I use Arbonne's Awaken mist to ward off bugs).

Deet can cause severe allergic reactions, anaphylactic reactions. And since your skin is the largest organ, and what you use on your skin will be absorbed into your bloodstream it is very important to be informed about the products you use. Great job with your research.

And in the water bug spray will just wash off anyway. Make sure around your home there isn't any stagnant water. This is a breeding ground for mosquitos. Take care, G

Julie - check out Avon bug guard with Sunscreen. There's one formula that is "blue" & disappears when rubbed in so it allows you to see if you missed any spots.
Yes I'm an Avon rep - I'd be happy to have to as a customer if you wish ;-)

Not everything you read online is true. Deet is the only proven bug spray out there. That said, if he's in the water it will only wash off. If you are really worried about the bug-spray sunscreen combination, then try to avoid early morning and dusk hours when mosquitos are most active.
And, don't get the bug spray combined with sunscreen lotions -- you have to re-apply sunscreen throughout the day to keep it effective, you don't have to reapply bug spray (unless you wash it off) so you'd be giving your son way too much deet.

Bull frog! Iy's a combination of the two. I love it! I put on my son everyday during the summer, heck I even put it on my husband and my self when I remember!

I know that outside of in-the-water-use there are several options that I like- Off has a new clip on fan that looks good (haven't tried it yet) and I know there are some bracelets out there. Personally one of my favorites is dryer sheets. Just tie one (unused) to a belt loop and they keep the skeeters away. My grandparents own a campground on the river and this works wonders for our family- I've always been one to avoid as many chemicals as posible, and this is one of my favorite tricks.

I've also had an avon sunscreen and bug spray combo. just look online for a distributer their is probably someone close to your neighborhood.

Bullfrog makes a product (I think it goes on purple) that has both & a high SPF. We used it camping on the 6 mo old w/great results-no bugs, no burn. And he's a redhead.

Hi J.,

If you are needing a SUPER all natural bug repellant go to www.herbdoc.com
There is a bug repellant there that is all natural and super strength. I use many of the products from there and have loved everyone. They are far superior to anything from the health food store!

Not sure about using it with sunscreen, if it might breakdown the chemical sunscreen components. But you could call customer service and ask them. I would think that using it with a physical sunscreen (zinc oxide or other minerals) would be fine. Hope this helps! Happy summer!

I know Avon has one, but I'm not sure how well it works. Hope this helps!

I am an Independant Avon E-Representative. We have a great assortment of SSS Bug Guard Plus products that work hard to protect from the sun and the bugs and all are DEET free. You can order products online from me at www.youravon.com/cfordyce. Select the direct delivery option and your products will come right to your door. All Avon products are money back guarantee. You can also contact me at ____@____.com.

Avon carries combintion products that I liked for my kids.

Hi, J.. I buy four bottles of Avon's Skin So Soft sunscrean/bug guard each summer and it works like a charm! There are two types...one that smells flowery and one that smells like watermellon.