Which of these sunscreens do you like?

[loon13]

These are the sunscreens I've narrowed my choices down to, mostly from the Cosmetics Database. But I'd really like public opinion and reviews. So please vote. Thanks !

Editing to provide links:

Cosmetics Database sunscreen list

Dr. Mercola's sunscreen (scroll down to the very bottom of the page to see labels)

[Drummer's Wife]

I voted California Baby, but it is the only brand you listed that I've tried.

anyway, it works well for my desert living kids

I only buy the unscented version as I hate fragrance in anything, especially stuff that goes on our skin.

I have read good things about UV Naturals, though.

[painefaria]

We have used MANY different sunscreens... I can say that I haven't been 100% happy with any. I am currently using california baby but i find it really hard to rub in so he looks like he has a white cast to his body. I have used burts bees and HATE it. It does not rub in, just turns to little clay like balls and it smells bad. I think the other kind we used was avon organics and DS was allergic to it.

[Raene]

I don't think I should vote. I have gone to that cosmetic database of safe products and Badger sounded the best, but I hate how thick it is and how it turns us white. I don't use it on me, only DD, and luckily she doesn't mind looking ghostly.

I'm a big fan of not using sunscreen when we're not out at the most hazardous hours of 1-4. Large brimmed hats, long sleeved cotton, staying in the shade, and coconut oil (which browns you but doesn't burn you).

[zinemama]

I have tried Badger but the lavender smell is overpowering and unpleasant.

I liked UV Naturals very much and would have bought it again, except that my local source was out.

So this summer we are going with Trukid Sunny Days sunscreen
http://www.theconsumerlink.com/TruKi...l/TCL+10300/19

It is highly rated by the EWG, made in the USA, which I like, has a pleasant smell that's not too strong and goes on fairly easily.

[loon13]

Originally Posted by zinemama

I have tried Badger but the lavender smell is overpowering and unpleasant.

I liked UV Naturals very much and would have bought it again, except that my local source was out.

So this summer we are going with Trukid Sunny Days sunscreen
http://www.theconsumerlink.com/TruKi...l/TCL+10300/19

It is highly rated by the EWG, made in the USA, which I like, has a pleasant smell that's not too strong and goes on fairly easily.

I missed TruKids on the list. Thanks for pointing that out. That one looks really good. Their Kids shampoo and other stuff gets a good rating as well.


If there are others, please feel free to add them in this thread!


There are always questions on sunscreen all over this forum. I always think there should be some sort of sticky at the top of the forum...

[jocelyndale]

Of the brands listed, the only one that doesn't contain anything I'm allergic to is California Baby (fragrance-free stick or lotion).

I also use hats/protective clothing.

[Treece]

I voted no sunscreen. I don't like the smell of most sunscreens or the cost of most natural sunscreen. However, when we are going to be overly exposed, like the beach, I generally put on some when we leave. But I don't normally reapply. Same with kids.

Question about coconut oil: would it brown a very pale person who almost always burns?

[avendesora]

Coconut oil has an SPF of about 4. It gives very minor protection. I use it if I expect to be in and out over the day, but I wouldn't rely on it if I were going to the beach or a long kids' soccer game.

Aven

[shanniesue2]

I just bought a bottle of Earth's Best (by Jason) sunblock at Target. I'm feeling kind of mixed about it. It goes on kind of thick and leaves a whitish tint on the skin. However, I am very prone to burning and I was out on the lake yesterday for several hours and didn't burn at all (that was with one application about 30 minutes prior to being outside, and a reapply while we were on the boat). I've never had that kind of success with any other lotion. Plus I got a little bit of browning (so now I'm not quite so pasty!) Anyway, I think I'd rather take the whitish tint left over from rubbing the lotion in than I would 3-4 days of really paiful sunburn. So for now we'll stick with it. When we run out, I might give California Baby a try--that was what I was going to buy originally but Target didn't have any stocked on the shelf so I got the Earth's Best instead.

[soccermama]

I hardly ever use sunscreen. Some of the lotions/moisturizer that I use already has some sort of SPF in it. My H uses sunscreen when he's golfing or on the lake. My DS always uses sunscreen!!

[mom0810]

I use a daily lotion for me that has SPF 15 in it. But on the kids, I use California Baby or Neutrogena. Our ped. told us not to use anything with spf higher than 30, because any higher is like just putting plastic over the skin and it's not comfortable and it doesn't work any better than 30.

[loon13]

Update on me: I want to try Trukid that zinemama linked above but everyplace I can find online to buy it (including the company's website) says it won't be stocked for a couple of weeks.

So right now I purchased Vanicream SPF 30 to try. I've seen this got lots of recommendations from dermatologists so I'd like to try use on my face ( I can be sensitive to breakouts). Using only on my face should make it last a bit longer.

For the rest of my body (LOL) and for DH and the kids, I also purchased Tropical Sands SPF 30 (from mexitan.com) This is the sunscreen that is identical in ingredients to the one Dr. Mercola recommends on his website. I couldn't find Dr. Mercola's prodcut on the EWG list, even though his site claims it got a great score there. When I asked customer service about it, they said they couldn't tell me the name of the private manufacturer/distributore that makes it for Dr. Mercola. I'm pretty sure Mexitan/Tropical Sands is the brand. This also got great scores on the EWG list. This one is supposed to be very environmentally friendly. And if it works, the company's website sells a huge jug of it.

So I will let you all know how it works out.

If neither work out, I still want to try the TruKid and Badger.

Please continue to vote and discuss on this thread! I am still intersted in all answers.

I wonder if there could eventually be a sticky on this forum about everyone's favorite sunscreen? It seems to come up so much....

[nataliachick7]

i like cali baby and earths best

[SuzyLee]

We use Badger or UV Natural when we will be out for an hour or less. Both are essentially the same in terms of how they feel and rub in, IMO.

Sadly, if we will be out for longer than about and hour, the zinc oxide creams just don't cut it and we use Alba instead. We also always wear sun hats to help on the neck and face.

[bigteamug]

we use the kids version of alba - the one with a pinky/purple container, but we also try to use hats/shirts etc to minimize use of sunscreen.

[mightymoo]

We use Blue Lizard - its a micronized zinc oxide - we are all extremely pale and burn extremely easily. I love this stuff because once its on its good for the rest of the day usually, I rarely have to reapply, and it stays on extremely well in water.

[Mama G]

weleda seems to be the most pure as far as what I could research.
also use Sante (from Germany)
and jurelique for a higher SPF (I use this on myself as we're all extreamly fair)

[sunny*pa*mom]

We use Badger and I really like it. It does leave you a little pasty but we're pasty to begin with so we don't even notice!

[BeagleMommy]

There is an interesting thread in the Traditional Foods forum about consuming coconut oil and a reduction in sunburns. Thought some of you might find it interesting. I did.
http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1092031

I seem to burn less now. Didn't use sunscreen then; don't now. Now, I try to make a point of eating lots of saturated fats and NO hydrogenated fats or soybean oil.