Sunblock Vs. Sunscreen

Most pediatricians recommend Blue Lizard. It's a physcial block, so it does not use chemicals. It's very long lasting. You can order it on Drugstore.com and receive free shipping.

Sun Block!!!
I am very fair skinned and you need to protect her from harmful rays. She is not in need of a tan. Protection always comes first. If you are going to do the beach make sure it is water proof and to reapply often.

God Bless,
S.

That is an interesting article. I had always thought block/screen were the same. Makes me want to put it all over their bodies, not just the exposed areas. With 4 young fair skinned kids, I use the spray ones. Lately we have been using Banana Boat Kids waterproof spf 50. It goes on white so you can see where you have sprayed. For the face, I either spray some in my hands and then rub it into their faces or I have some leftover Arbonne baby sunblock that I really like that we use for faces. As far as how much to use, I saw a segment on the Today Show (I think) about how we tend to under use sunblock. They were saying that an adult spending the day at the beach should use probably about an ounce. That would mean that 1 bottle of sunscreen might only last a week at the beach. I had no idea. I guess their main point was to be generous with the application.

Oh - and I tried the Huggies aerosol brand. It smelled bad and it didn't seem to apply right and I felt like we were breathing in way too much when we applied it. So that may be one to avoid.

R.,

I use the Classic Sunshades with Zinc dioxide (SPF 30+) from Melaleuca. It is a great natural version. It is great for sensitive skin. Here is the link to take a look at it: http://www.melaleuca.com/ps/index.cfm?f=ps.productDetail&...

Let me know if you need more info on it.

Good question for everyone I think. You really have to look at the ingredients and make sure it is not made with mineral oil. There are many brands out there but look how many people still burn with them or worse yet, discolor! If you want to be sure, you need to buy botanically based products for you and your family. What you put on your skin gets absorbed into your bloodstream. Plus you don't want to be putting chemicals on yourself or worse yet your children!!

I use a line of organic and botanically based products and would love to share with you if you would like. My kids are fair and never burned or peeled. Did you know that your risk for cancer is determined by how much sun you are exposed to by the time you're 18? So, do you homework and get the best, not what's on sale.

K.
Wellness Consultant

Check out this link for the difference between the two.

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/sunscreen/a/06_sunblock.htm

We don't have sensitive skin and use Banana Boat Sport SPF30. SPF 30 is supposed to block 97% of UVB rays. No matter what sunscreen you use, you should apply 30 min. before going out if possible and reapply every 2 hours.

Most of the lotions are in the $6 to $8 price range for around 8 oz. I can get a whole season out of 8 oz for me and 2 girls and I'm not stingy with it. If you want to go "organic" your cost will increase significantly. Unfortunately, I have no experience with any of the organic sunscreen products. Good luck and have a great summer!

My son has the Irish fair skin and freckles. Coppertone SPF 50 in the spray can has done wonders for us.

My family and I all went for our first dermatology appointments. We are all fair skinned and freckly (yes... the Dr. scolded me quite a bit for my love of being in the sun!)

Usually I buy a mail order sunscreen, however, my dermatologist recommended this Neutrogena product with "helioplex". It's supposed to be relatively new technology. I picked it up at Target and there is a spray version of it, too. Many different SPF's. Moderately priced too.

http://www.neutrogena.com/econsumer/ntg/productdetail.bro...

I know one natural ingredient that is good for sunblock is Titanium Dioxide, which is a natural product found in some sunscreens and is an ingredient that you should look for when picking out a sunscreen.

The mail order sunscreen that I use (but it can be a little pricy) is a label /mailorder product called" Absolutely Natural". A lot of times they will sell this product at nice resort areas. I heard of this when I was at a resort in Florida. Their "aftersun" product and "tea tree oil /aftersun product" is amazing! No more solarcaine or aloevera in my house. The various sunscreens comes in many different SPF's and is still my favorite.

Lastly, one of my friends loves Arbonne's sunscreen product for children (and she is a Rep for the company, also.) Never used it but I'm sure another of your posts may mention it as it does have a good reputation.
http://www.arbonne.com/products/baby/sunscreen.asp

Good luck.

I take my family to Myrtle Beach every summer. We always use No Ad brand. I get it from Walmart. My kids have never gotten a sun burn. Works great. I get the lotion and apply before we go out. Then I take the stick out to the beach and use that every half hour to forty-five minutes across the shoulders and face. AFter an hour to two hours...I might put lotion on them again if they have been in the water alot. Sometimes I forget and they may not get much of anything accept the stick....fortunately they have never gotten burned. My oldest is six and has been going every summer since she was 7 months old. She loves it as well as her four year old sister and now her one year old brother. I took him the first time and he was only about three to four months old. He didn't spend much time in the sun though...mostly under a tent, but sun reflects off the sand so I did put some on his legs and arms...hat for his head.

Don't know if you know this, but don't put sunscreen on a babies face...they rub their faces and can get it in their eyes...like my oldest did when she was seven months old. Boy did I feel like a terrible mom. :)