bugsprays and sunscreens

[sprouthead]

I'm looking for bugspray and sunscreen that would be suitable for DS. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Jojo F.]

:

The only thing I know about is a mosquito repellent to use in the yard-http://www.mosquitobarrier.com/

[Abarat]

I've been making our own insect repellant, which is much needed in southern Georgia, the mosquitos are already out in force! I've been using it on our DS since he was about 4 months old.

2oz carrier oil (anything you want, olive will stay on your skin forever but feels really oily, something like grapeseed will sink in and not feel so strange but doesn't seem to last as long because of it...but we do spend hours and hours outside each day amongst hordes of mosquitos)
30 drops citronella eo
20 drops cedarwood eo
15 drops basil eo
10 drops lavender eo
10 drops rosemary eo
(you can use whatever oils you wish, but all of these are baby and pet safe...I'd say the big ones to use would be citronella and basil if you had to choose)
These oils are known to help with mosquitos but personally I'd avoid pennyroyal, eucalyptus, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon with those 3 and under and pets or those known to be sensitive to things like cinnamon, etc.:
pennyroyal, lemon balm (citronella), thyme, and lavender. Other choices include bergamot, cajeput, eucalyptus, rose geranium (this works for ticks, too), myrrh, peppermint, rosemary, oil of clove, oil of nutmeg, feverfew, cinnamon stick, and mint.

Just apply everywhere and you're good to go! I don't put it on the underside of DS's hands or ends of his fingers that might go in his mouth and don't put it around his eyes, but will slather his forehead and cheeks and he does great with it.



This one I found somewhere but haven't tried yet.....
Better Basic Sunblock Formula
2 1/2 ounces sesame oil
1 1/2 ounces of cocoa butter
1/2 ounce beeswax
4 ounces distilled water
2 tablespoons zinc oxide (available from herbalists or the pharmacy; you may also substitute titanium dioxide for zinc oxide, since it has similar properties)
25 drops grapefruit seed extract (as a preservative; available in health food stores)
Melt the oils and beeswax in a double-boiler over medium heat. Remove from the heat, add the water, and mix with an electric handheld mixer until thick and creamy. Add the zinc oxide and preservatives. Makes 1 cup.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Shelf Life: 6 months
Storage: Glass jar with screw top

[JamSamMom]

::

[CanidFL]

I just came here to post on this subject. We are going to Jamaica this summer and I really want a safe bug repellent to use on DS but I don't want to make my own. Any other suggestions?

[Eloise1980]

Scotland is bad for bugs in the summer so we've experimented with lots o things, citronella works great as does this stuff http://www.incognitome.co.uk/what_is_incognito.html it's fairly expensive but natural and safe.

As far as sunscreens go we use Dr Hauschka and love it.

[Abarat]

I've heard that the "Buzz Away" brand works well and is safe/natural. I haven't tried it, just heard it works.

Also, some of us that make our own would most likely be willing to help you out...you can always pm me.

[northcountrymamma]

For sunscreen, plain shea butter. 100% organic shea butter. Works like a charm, as shocking as that may sound.

For insect repellent:
Thyme, Lavender, Lemongrass and Eucalyptus blend with the Shea butter...

I can get the amounts...it's in my journal somewhere.

[askew]

We use Aubrey brand sun block, it is the cleanest that can be found in a health food store and it works well. Only problem is it takes a while to absorb into the skin and kind of leaves you white for a while.

[nora--not a llama]

For sunscreen we use Badger Balm and we love it. It works great and is not nearly as expensive as some other natural brands.

http://uncommonscents.com/Badger-Sun...-p/bd47031.htm

Badger Balm also makes a bug repellant stick, but I've never tried it.

I'd really like to try this as an insect repellant:
http://www.bubbleandbee.com/servlet/...2C-DEET/Detail

It's a great price, and I have loved all of their other products I have tried.

[Rachel_G]

Originally Posted by CanidFL

I just came here to post on this subject. We are going to Jamaica this summer and I really want a safe bug repellent to use on DS but I don't want to make my own. Any other suggestions?

i normally get eaten up by mosquetos but when we were in Jamaica they really don't have these bugs there like they do here (believe me they can find me anywhere if they are there). But I did have a problem w/what htey call the sun flies. Simmular reaction but not nearly as long term annoying. And we went quite far inland as well.

Nobody else seemed to have a issue w/the sun flies. i didn't have a problem the 1st time but the 2nd time i had alot of bites.

[sprouthead]

how cost effective are the homemade recipes? will one of those recipes last a while, or do i need to make a lot of it?

thanks for all the info everyone!

[girlygirls3]

I should own stock in California Baby because I also use their sunscreen and bug spray, and family members tried it last year and said it worked amazing on them too... not just the kids. Not sure how it rates though as far as being all natural goes, but we love it.

[RydersMama]

Originally Posted by Abarat

I've heard that the "Buzz Away" brand works well and is safe/natural. I haven't tried it, just heard it works.

Also, some of us that make our own would most likely be willing to help you out...you can always pm me.

We use "Buzz Away" brand and it works well for us. We live by a lake in southwest Missouri so we get lots of annoying bugs. I also make my own.