economical, safe sunscreen

[riverview9]

we go through a lot of sunscreen and i don't want to continue slathering chemicals on my son that leech into his system. which safe sunscreen is the cheapest

[Aka mommy]

Google Skindeep, they have a great section on sunscreen.

[woodchick]

We've liked Vanicream. I found it on Skindeep.

[Drummer's Wife]

We like California Baby - it's not the cheapest, compared to chemical sunscreen's, but I think it's comparable to other more natural ones. For us, it lasts quite a while so it's worth the cost.

[eirual]

And this is a bit of a personal decision, but I've changed from SPF 50 freak to just a sunhat and shade if you can. I don't think we used sunscreen at all last summer. This came from a quick google of "good fats sun exposure"...I don't know if it's a decent article or not, but the general theory is that if you have a healthy and natural diet, your body may be better equipped to deal with the sun's rays and that they are actually good for you.

[MariesMama]

Check your local Target for California Baby sunscreen. Ours misprices it all the time, it used to be $4.04, now it's still only $7.98. Also check out eBay - people will resell it there after buying it at Target. I know, I used to!

[2xy]

Originally Posted by eirual

And this is a bit of a personal decision, but I've changed from SPF 50 freak to just a sunhat and shade if you can. I don't think we used sunscreen at all last summer. This came from a quick google of "good fats sun exposure"...I don't know if it's a decent article or not, but the general theory is that if you have a healthy and natural diet, your body may be better equipped to deal with the sun's rays and that they are actually good for you.

I think that is entirely possible. But lots of things will factor into that, like location and what you do in the sun. Fishing in Ontario would be a lot different than surfing in Hawaii. KWIM?

And yeah, personal reasons do factor in. I don't only use sunscreen for health reasons....there's a bit of vanity involved, too. I'm fair-skinned and freckly. I burn easily and don't like my splotchy freckles, and don't want to get all wrinkly too soon.

I, too, am looking into more natural products. I'll check out Skindeep.

[eirual]

Originally Posted by 2xy

I think that is entirely possible. But lots of things will factor into that, like location and what you do in the sun. Fishing in Ontario would be a lot different than surfing in Hawaii. KWIM?
.

Totally. Just offering the option since they didn't say where they're from. It blew my mind once I realized I didn't actually NEED sunscreen. If it's reasonable for your circumstances, it's something to think about anyways.

[arb]

That article links to zero peer-reviewed scientific literature to support non-use of suncreen in children. Not saying it is wrong, but I would like some pretty solid science before I risk elevating my child's risk of skin cancer in adulthood.

Originally Posted by eirual

And this is a bit of a personal decision, but I've changed from SPF 50 freak to just a sunhat and shade if you can. I don't think we used sunscreen at all last summer. This came from a quick google of "good fats sun exposure"...I don't know if it's a decent article or not, but the general theory is that if you have a healthy and natural diet, your body may be better equipped to deal with the sun's rays and that they are actually good for you.

[arb]

We use Badger or Mexitan. Both rated pretty highly on Skin Deep. Neither is super cheapo but I think they are better than lots of the fancy brand sunscreens.

[marimara]

I've yet to find a safe, but inexpensive sunscreen. That way I look at it is, it's just one of those things worth spending the money on. That, and I buy big hats, have dd wear rashguards, sit in the shade when we can, and in general try to use as much physical sun protection as possible. Then I can use the expensive, but safe, sunscreens sparingly on the most needed parts (exposed arms, face, ears, and sometimes the legs). At the pool or beach, dd (who is 3.5) absolutely must wear a short sleeve rashguard (usually w/regular swim bottoms or shorts), a BIG wide brimmed sun hat that can get wet, and then I put sunblock on her exposed areas. At the pool, I sit in the shade of a tree or umbrella and bring an umbrella to the beach. If we go to a theme park, she sits under the canopy of the stroller and we put sunblock on her legs and feet and sometimes even cover her legs and feet with a white lightweight sheet fabric.
Oh but for brands. Badger or California Baby are my first choice. I've used Aubrey Organics, Alba, Jason, and others but Badger and CB are the best ones.

[Thystle]

Yep the most economical and safe sunscreen is the shade.



Have you looked into the SPF clothing brands that have it built in?

Do you have a shade or umbrella for outside to travel with?

[lucifugous]

I've only used California Baby, I was hoping to find a better answer to this too! (It's definitely full price at our local target.) Also I want to put it out there that a white t-shirt is only equivalent to SPF 4!

[Magelet]

careful to make sure it is shady enough. I once fell asleep under an umbrella, and got burned through a pretty standard beach umbrella bad enough I couldn't sit down for a long time. (and the sun didn't move away from the umbrella. it burned through the umbrella.)

I pretty much only use sunscreen at the beach (or pool sometimes.) I burn too badly to go without in those cases. (though I usually burn even with sunscreen. horribly. painfully.) other than that, I figure I need the vit. D. I don't have kids yet, so I haven't figured it out.

[2xy]

double post

[2xy]

Originally Posted by Magelet

careful to make sure it is shady enough. I once fell asleep under an umbrella, and got burned through a pretty standard beach umbrella bad enough I couldn't sit down for a long time. (and the sun didn't move away from the umbrella. it burned through the umbrella.)

If you are near a body of water, the sun doesn't need to be directly on you to burn you. UV rays reflect off the water. Same with skiing or snowboarding....the rays bounce off the snow.

Last summer I went to a nearby lake with some friends and sat under a big tree the entire time and still got pink and freckly.

[marimara]

Yes that is true about the reflected rays, so do be careful. But shade combined w/hats and UPF clothing/swimwear is a good start, and then adding sunscreen to other exposed areas should cover you. I live in the south and have taken my very pale dd to the beach in July in Florida when she was 9mos old and followed my precautions listed above and she wasn't even pink in the slightest.

[AAK]

My dd is allergic to chemical based sunscreens, so we use CA Baby here. However, before we found it, we would buy the basic baby diaper cream that is 100% zinc oxide. It wasn't attractive, but it is a very effective and cheap sunscreen. It is only really practical for the face, but I thought I would throw that out there. Remember the eighties when you could buy colored zinc? That is what I was looking for when I gave up and bought the diaper cream. We were going to the beach and I had a cover up, hat, etc. but knew that I still needed something for her face and regular sunscreens make her break out in hives.

Amy

[Norasmomma]

I like Jason Naturals, it works great my local store has it currently on sale for 6.99, it is rated a 2 on skindeep which is low, titanium/zinc based., works like a charm. I live in Eastern WA and it is very hot and sunny here in the summer, we use this and don't get burned. Also used it on DD when we went to Mexico when she was 15 months, she didn't burn once.

[mom0810]

Neutrogena also makes a fairly inexpensive one that is not full of chemicals and is mostly zinc. I like that one for my babies. They can't use the Coppertone, etc. ones for some reason, they get hives.

I also bought Lubriderm lotion last year that just has sunscreen (spf 15) in it. The kids can use that no problem. I think it's the fragrances in the other sunscreens that cause problems for my kids. Since it's only spf 15, I have to be careful and re-apply often, but I like it.

Also, there is one called Blue Lizard that I know a lot of people love. Some people have it at their local stores, but most have to order it online.

Going without is NOT an option, especially for kids. One bad burn as a child increases their chances of skin cancer as an adult. I have already had 3 skin cancer scares in the past year. Not for my kids... they will always be protected.