Sunscreen ?? - Page 2

[Lilcrunchie]

We're in NC and the Carolina blue skies down here mean a LOT of sun. My kids go out in the sun without anything pretty often, but for full days out in the sun or more than an hour or two during the sunniest part of the day we use UV Naturals or CA Baby.

The EWG Skin Deep database is good for looking at ingredients vs. UVA/UVB protection.

[gardenmommy]

I am not sure that I totally buy into the high-sat-fats=no-sunburn theory. I grew up eating tons of sat. fats, eat them a ton now, and have *always* burned at least once every year. I am very fair with pinkish undertones, as are my DH and all my DC. We all burn. Even after tanning I still burn. I think it is just our genetics (we are all of British or Dutch origin). However, I don't like sunscreen, so mostly I just wear clothing to cover up or stay out of the sun during the most intense part of the day. We do use sunscreen if we are going to the beach (where the sand and water intensify the sun's effect) or if we are going to be out in the sun all day long. I prefer to use something like Aubrey or CA baby, but have been known to use the Waterbabies brand (although I don't like it, I would rather use that than come home totally fried).

[yitlan]

Originally Posted by blastomom

I grew up in Hawaii too (Kailua) and we still go back once or twice a year. Hubby and our youngest have total Haole skin and burn at the slightest hint of sun but the boys love the beach and the pool and I swear by UV Naturals (thanks for the co-ops CutiePatootie!).

My mom is chinese american from Pearl City. I'm a fair skinned, freckled hapa, though I can tan. I went back last summer with my fair, red-head. She was six months old or so. I only used coconut oil (not even EV or good stuff. Just what I got in a road side store near Punaluu). We kept a hat on her, but we were out with her sleeveless or in a swim diaper only and she did not burn at all! I also used mostly plain coconut oil.

I've been very curious about all this recently. Not sure what to do. I say it's the closest I've come to understanding what it's like to hear anti-fat for so long and be scared of fat! My older two have dark hair and one is fair. The other darkens up pretty well. I used mostly CO on them last year as well, with good results. My midwife is an herbalist and has made me a coconut based sunscreen that we're enjoying, though my kids call it stinky!

Coconut oil with tinctures of chaparral and oregon grape root/mahonia mixed in. I suggested she mix it with beeswax to solidify it, but right now I just keep it in the fridge til before we need it.
She acknowledges no studies have been done, but guestimates it has an spf of 8-12. We live in the high desert, a mile closer to the sun, so it's pretty intense here. Again, it's working for us, along with hats.

Also, I up our CLO intake if I know we're going to be in the sun and do feel, from our experience, diet helps.

[CrunchyFarmGirl]

I loudly second UV Natural sunscreen. It has an awesome list of ingredients. I think I could eat it. I've also never gotten a hint of sun while wearing it. It doesn't contain any titanium dioxide which I read somewhere is toxic somehow.

We mostly just cover with clothing. I never go out with out a big sun hat for myself or the kids. I don't actually burn easily or even get that much sun (I'm probably hurting in the vit. D department) but I'm paranoid about getting wrinkles. Funny though since I don't have any negative ideas of them on other people.

I made the kids long pants and long sleeved hooded shirts out of bathing suit material. They HATE sunscreen and love the suits because they are free of lotion and I think it might make the water feel warmer to them. It only cost about $13.00 each outfit instead of the hefty prices on the commercial made outfits.

[07Mommy]

Mostly, we stay out of direct sun, we put on protective clothing & hats. Burts Bees Sunscreen. I dont have fair skin, so I only use sun screen on my face.

[mlh]

If we are in the sun for a while we use Badger. It was ranked as the safest sunscreen on the Environmental working group's website. I would warn that it goes on very think so I really only use it on the kids. I used it on my face once and i had a hard time rubbing it all in...I had a white face for a few hours.

[ajsgirl]

I second the rec's for UV Naturals. It's a little greasy and pricey, but it works and it's a safe one on the cosmetics database list.

[anamama]

I use coconut oil or cocoa butter on myself, and CA baby/badger/blue lizard on the kids when we are at the pool/water park. We don't use anything for day to day outside stuff. Our back yard is shady.