What Sunscreen to Use????

I have literally spent hundreds of dollars on sunscreens that I have had to give away because my daughter was allergic to them. The only one we found that she was not allergic to is Aveeno Sunscreen (we also use only Aveeno shampoo and soap). Her doctor recommended this brand to us when she was a baby (she's now 7), and I highly recommend it.

I used Mustela Sun Cream for Sensitive Areas SPF 50 on her face, ears and also Mustela High Protection sun lotion SPF 50 for her arms & legs. It is expensive but very worth it and it does last a while.

Arbonne. My daughter has that same sensitive skin and this stuff is incredible. You'll have to find an Arbonne dealer or check out their website, but it's well worth it.

We found Aveeno Baby worked best for us.

btw, my family has eczema issues too - solely related to food allergies. (no problems if we avoid dairy and nuts) Just something to consider.

Good luck!

My children had eczema as well. The good news is that the summer was always the best time for their skin. defionitely get her outside in the sun. I always used any of the sensitive skin baby sunscreens. We did not stick to a specific brand. Just whichever was on sale. I hope this helps a little. Try not to worry too much, it was such a relief for them during the summer from all the skin irratation. Have fun!

I use California Baby Products. They are the most non-toxic baby products on the market (as rated by the Environmental Working Group.) I have been very happy with them and use them on myself. Their sunscreen products are great, although none of it is cheap. I know you can get them at Whole Foods, but likely available elsewhere. There was a recent expose on how bad most chemicals in sunscreens really are, I would try to go natural on this one.

I really like Aveeno products. My sister's baby has bad eczema and they work well for her too. Be sure you don't use a combo sunscreen-bug repellent until she gets older. The concentration of repellent is too high for babies and will likely irritate her skin. Use two different products if you need both.

I would check with the doctor, dermatologist if you have one. I do know that you need one that is PABA free. This ingredient can cause allergic reactions. Good Luck

Blue Lizard. It is a physical sun block, not a chemical.

NONE! let her go in the sun until she is pinkish, then set her back inside. Eventually, she will be fine and her pigments will darken. I have 2 kids, neither has ever worn sunscreen. I spent last summer in Louisiana (trust me it was HOT), and when at the beach they had no sunscreen. My neices and nephews did, they all burned. My kids were not even slightly red. I think once you start on sunscreen you will always need it. Train her skin now to sustain the rays, just don't let her tender skin get red in the 1st outing.

Hi, K.. I understand your dilemma! Our baby is 9 months old and has very sensitive skin. I'm no dermatologist, but in my own research (and with a good friend who is a derm) I've found the best sunblock is a "physical" sunblock vs. "chemical". This means that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the best main ingredients. Also, I would suggest going with a mostly organic product that limits other chemicals like preservatives. My two recommendations for you that I have used on my son are Earth's Best and Avalon Organics. Also, you don't need a higher SPF than 15, certainly not higher than 30. Good luck and enjoy the warm weather!

I found this online a few weeks back. I haven't made and tried it yet, but I plan to.

How to Make Organic Sunblock

Getting outside for an afternoon of fun in the sun will healthier if you're wearing organic sunscreen. Make your own organic sunblock and you can avoid harmful synthetic chemicals added to commercial products. Making this recipe is simple and the ingredients are readily available at organic health food stores.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions - Things You’ll Need:

* Double boiler * Hand-held mixer
* Storage jar * 2 1/2 oz. sesame oil
* 1 1/2 oz. coconut oil * 1/2 oz. beeswax
* 4 oz. distilled water or green tea
* 2 tbsp. of zinc oxide * 1 tbsp. wheat germ oil
* 10 - 20 drops antiseptic essential oil (optional)
* 1 tsp. vitamin C powder * 200 IU vitamin A

Step 1: Gather ingredients needed.
Step 2: Assemble and heat double boiler to medium temp.
Step 3: Combine sesame oil, coconut oil and beeswax in double boiler. Warm over medium heat.
Step 4: Remove from heat. Pour in green tea or distilled water.
Step 5: Mix with electric hand-held mixer until ingredients are thick and smooth.
Step 6: Add zinc oxide, wheat germ oil, vitamin C and vitamin A.
Step 7: Drop in essential oils--if desired--and blend well.

Tips & Warnings

* Add 2 oz. of rose water and Aloe Vera gel with 1 tbsp. of glycerin when adding zinc oxide, for a smoother feel.
* Store in a tight container. The green tea recipe will last about 2 weeks. The water method will last approximately 6 months.
* Check the health food section of your local grocery stores for ingredients, if shopping there is more convenient than a health food store.

Added Note: Sunscreens (especially commercial sold products) are great, however, lessen proper Vit D absorption, which most of us are at least a little deficient in. Remember that skin is the largest organ of the body. What you apply on it, enters and effects your whole system. Good rule of thumb: if you can't put in your tummy, it shouldn't really go on your skin either. So think, would you ingest the list of ingredients on that label?

They make sunscreens now that spray on like bugspray (meaning, a very fine mist) but since your daughter is so young, you might want to focus on SPF clothing and "shade makers" like hats and umbrellas. Here are some websites that have good things for kids:

www.LeapsandBounds.com
http://coolibar.com/
http://cabanalife.com/

Good luck!
M.

Dear K.,
The body's largest organ is the skin so I would be very concerned about putting anything on her too. I recommend you investigate everything you use on her at www.ewg.org/skindeep. The Environmental Working Group has a cosmetics database there that tells you what is in every cream, lotion, sunscreen, lipstick, nail polish, shampoo, etc... One thing that has blown my mind personally is how many innocent "baby" products with "natural"-sounding names are extremely toxic and can cause impaired brain functions as well as sterility issues! However, there are other companies who have signed a Safe Cosmetics Pact and have stopped using questionable ingredients in ALL of their products. So maybe you can find a brand you like and just buy their stuff to simplify it for you.
Finally, to address the skin issue, you might try giving your daughter a liquid vitamin and mineral supplement called Vemma. My daughter had terrible allergies the spring of her third year and within 3 days all symptoms were gone and have never returned. I used to have a Mamasource Perk but dropped the ad because it didn't get results but you can research the benefits of mangosteen on the web and if you Google "Dr. John Edwards + mangosteen and minerals" you will find a page with a bunch of soundbytes and you can listen to him explain why it's so effective in many areas. My whole family has been greatly helped by this product so I'm somewhat of an expert on it. The CEO of the company has given his three small babies Vemma ever since they started on whole foods but at 8 months, you probably wouldn't need more than 1/8-1/4 ounce a day. You would need to try it at the lower dose and raise it or give it again in the afternoon if you like.
I hope this helps you out and if you'd like to send me your email address personally, I will send you more information on it. ;-)

Make sure you check out ingredients on anything you buy. Even the ones that say "natural" may have chemicals in them. One mom suggested blue lizard, but even it has stuff like oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene. The california baby doesn't have any of that - also burt's bees makes a chemical free sunscreen, and badger makes one too. the sun itself should help alot, i have a friend who would get outside in the sun every day - summer and winter - to help clear her exzema. Good luck!

K., I sell Arbonne skin care products and my son has eczema. I only use the ABC baby line on him because of this. They have a great sunscreen that works so well...I use it on all three of my children. If you want to check it out, my website is www.J..myarbonne.com The prices are retail, but I offer my wholesale discount to all "moms" on mamasource. We also have a 45 day money back guarantee so if it doesn't work you can always send it back. Just let me know!

Everybody's skin is different.
With our atmosphere's ozone layer thinning out, skin cancer is increasing amongst all races worldwide. The purpose of applying sun protection now is to protect against the threat of skin cancers in your daughter's future.
I applaud your decision to use sunscreen on your daughter.
With her history, however, I would ask the pediatrician. If the pediatrician isn't sure about what to use, I would ask for a dermatology consult.
You don't mention which lotion has worked for her eczema, but does it have a skin protection factor (SPF)? Sometimes they do, you might want to check.

Hi K.. You are wise to see the need for sunscreen for your daughter; we all should wear it year round! There is a company that makes a complete baby care line, which includes an SPF 30 sunscreen specifically for children. It is by Arbonne International,and I have a complete sample pack that you could try. The other great news is that the body wash, lotion and oil (NOT mineral oil) has been proven to get rid of eczema! I have many ladies who have been thrilled to have their children finally get relief of that condition, and stop going to dermatologists and paying for high priced steroidal creams! Let me know if you would like to try a sample of the entire bably care line (NO obligation to purchase) Thanks, C.

My son is just like your daughter, down to the fair skin and eczema. I like the California Baby brand no fragrance sunscreen lotion, and it seems to help keep my son from breaking out. They have a good line of various products, some with citronella as a bug repellent.

http://www.californiababy.com/spf-suncare.html

Dawn

Arbonne is a company that uses natural ingredients. They have a line of baby products (sunscreen,lotion, bodywash, and baby oil (without mineral oil) ). These products are wonderful and one bottle often last a few months. They will clear up eczema and cradle cap (for cradle cap you can put the oil on several minutes prior to shampooing) faster than anything you have ever used. I put the oil on my six year old after his shower to keep his eczema under control. You can look at the product lines and read testimonials at www.arbonne.com. You will also find a link to find an authorized rep. to purchase from.

Good luck

ask her doctor they may have something just for this cause. good luck

Hi K.
See if your LO eczema cream brand makes a sunscreen. If it's not over the counter try calling the company itself. We've used Aveeno brand, it's relatively inexpensive and it's suppose to be good for sensitive skin. If this doesn't work then your doctor may have to write a script for a special sunscreen.

Good luck
P.

Please remember that even tanning is a sign of sun damage to the skin. A burn is worse, but a tan is not good either. I would suggest looking for a fragrance free, sensitive skin formula. I don't know of a specific brand, so check your local pharmacy. Ask your pediatrician as well, there may be a prescription formula that is available.

Also, a good hat and shade are very helpful. Plus, hats are very cute. ( :

K.,

My youngest tends to have very sensitive skin as well. Our pedi recommended "Blue Lizard" sunscreen, along with another brand I don't remember right now. We ordered it online at Amazon. It is a little more pricey than some of the others, but it works great and doesn't seem to irritate him. Pedi says it has less extra stuff that can cause irritation. We loved it, and will be buying more this season. Good luck!

Aveeno makes sunscreen and it is pricey, but worth it! I have eczema (as a kid and now as an adult!) and I use the formula for faces all over. It is less greasy, but it also means I have to apply it a little more frequently. The baby formulas tend to be a little greasy. That is my #1 recommendation, but Neutrogena makes one too (but I find it can be a little greasy.) Look for PABA free formulas.

No suggestions on sunscreen, per se, but would encourage you that with the humidity of summer, the eczema should be less severe. I have a grandson who had terrible eczema as a baby (in winter), but it's much better as he's aged (he's 3) and most noticeably better in summer.