I'm frustrated with how much the packaging and types of sunscreen change from year to year. We have stuck to our NO-AD Ultimate Sunblock Lotion SPF 60 for the past three years and have been really happy with the results. Only last year did the baby have an extreme allergic reaction and rash outbreak because of it and so I had to search for a sunscreen that he could tolerate but that would still have the appropriate ingredients to offer both UVB and UVA protection. I finally found it and have just about used it all up and can't find the exact same kind again. It was Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion Spray. MIA everywhere... now it's all about those continuous spray aerosol cans. So I picked up what I thought was a replica, just without the spray option: Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion. Huge reaction again. In sitting down and comparing the ingredients between all three, I think I've concluded that baby (now almost 2) is allergic to the zinc oxide. My NO-AD contains only 2%, the Water Babies from last year 0 (though it has 3% avobenzone, another active UVA blocker), and the new Water Babies 14.5%. (No wonder he couldn't tolerate it!) So now I'm off to find another sunscreen that has similar ingredients to our last year sensitive skinned one and zero zinc oxide, and we'll experiment on my little red-headed baby once again. If you see a mother in an aisle with a print-out of ingredients, holding 3 bottles of sunscreen and comparing bottle after bottle - yeah, it's me. We're about to spend a week at the beach and sunscreen is a must for everyone - especially all the kiddos who spend hour upon hour out of doors.
For now, I wanted to repost my research from June 22, 2006 as well as include this fun site my friend posted on her blog: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/splash.php?URI=%2Fspecial%2Fsunscreens2008%2Ffindyoursunscreen.php
Search for Sunscreen
With the recent sunscreen lawsuits and my children’s misfortune to have my skin, I’ve been doing a little research on sunscreens. I’ve learned much, but unfortunately am having a hard time applying my knowledge. Let me share what I’ve learned.
With the recent sunscreen lawsuits and my children’s misfortune to have my skin, I’ve been doing a little research on sunscreens. I’ve learned much, but unfortunately am having a hard time applying my knowledge. Let me share what I’ve learned.
Basically not all sunscreen is created equal. While consumers may blame the companies for misleading them with their packaging labels, mostly it’s an issue of ignorance and misunderstanding what the labels represent. I was among the unaware who assumed that the higher the SPF(sunscreen protection factor) the better – people were constantly commenting on my SPF 50, cause well, you know that’s like double SPF 25 right? Wrong. According to ConsumerSearch, “SPF 15 blocks 93% of rays, while SPF 30 blocks 97%, only 4% more. SPF ratings higher than 30 don't offer any further UV protection, and let the same 3% of UV rays through as SPF 30. Further, SPF only blocks UVB rays. For that reason, it's just as important to look specifically for UVA protection.” Surprisingly, not very many sunscreens contain the necessary ingredients providing that UVA protection. Unless your product contains avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide, you're not protected from UVA – which is the light that causes much deeper damage than just your surface sunburn.
So now on to finding out which sunscreens will protect me and my fair-skinned children. CNN helped me out with the following info: “Sunscreen reviews also point out that most children's sunscreens are no different than those for adults, except for added fragrance that can actually irritate kids' more-sensitive skin. The only beneficial difference to look for is UVA protection with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, since these are less irritating than avobenzone to children's skin.” These are hard to come by. I have spent all morning dragging my kids from stores and pharmacies trying to find what my research shows me is the best. Sorry Moms, but those SpWipes and Sprays are no good…the SpWipes have no UVA-protecting ingredients, and most of the sprays say they offer UVA protection but don’t contain the right ingredients – don’t be fooled by oxybenzone, it is not the same as avobenzone. I stand to be corrected, if you find a spray that contains the right ingredients, let me know… however you do lose a lot of the spray into the air and you can’t use it on faces.
The best finds for kids are Blue Lizard Baby Sunscreen and No-Ad Sunscreen. For us Moms, it looks like Neutrogena’s UVA/UVB Sunblock Lotion is definitely worth a try (it has all the right ingredients and is sweat-proof, water resistant – since no product can be waterproof-, fragrance and oil-fee as well as being good for sensitive skin). I’m trying to go with No-Ad for the fam since it’s also very affordable and comes in super big bottles. Apparently an adult should use 4 oz of sunscreen to cover his/her whole body if the sunscreen is going to work properly. (So much for those 6 oz travel-friendly bottles!)Do your research, read your labels and be sun-safe. But for heaven’s sake, let me know where to find the right stuff!
8 comments:
That is funny that we were thinking about this same topic this weekend. Thanks for including your thoughts and research. I have to laugh at the amounts of sunscreen they expect people to apply. Someone would look positively Cullen-like (i.e. very, very pale) if they put on the recommended amount. I hope you have a great time at the beach and hope you can find some sunscreen that works for your little guy. You probably know this already, but they sell girls and boys' swim shirts at Target. Saves a lot of time and hassle if you don't have to lather sunscreen on backs and shoulders. Oh, and I'm also a firm believer in wide-brimmed hats. Gymboree has had some decent ones for kids in the past...that actually cover ears, neck, and most of the face. Hope you have a great summer.
Wow- June 22nd three years apart . . . pretty intersting!
I use Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen lotion spray for my kids too and I get it at Walmart. Who would have thought that sunscreen required so much thought. Maybe you should call your pediatrician or a dermatologist to see what they recommend.
Good luck in your search!
I remember your sunscreen post! We switched to No-Ad then and still use it. :)
The water babies I have does not have any zinc oxide only avobenzone and it's not a spray but a lotion. I think they make two or three variations of every type of sunscreen. I use target brand continuous sport spray on myself so I can get my back. One year I had a sunburn in the outline of my childs hand print on my back! And I love nutragena for my face (not oily). Have fun at the beach wish we could have come too.
Thanks for pointing out that the No-Ad ultimate is another highly rated sunscreen. I'll need to look for that one at Wal-Mart when my others run out. It will be much cheaper. And, I'm glad that you also mentioned that it was Blue LIzard for baby sunscreen that was recommended...that's the one I bought, but I wrote the wrong name in my post (I've since corrected it). Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I tried adult sunscreen on the girls once and Annie broke out in a terrible rash! I stick with the kid-friendly stuff, too, and we are big fans of swim shirts and hats!
Garrett is allergic to sunscreen--I'll have to experiment myself about the zinc oxide. Luckily he is dark skinned enough that I have just opted to use swim shirts and hats and keep him out of the sunscreen altogether. You are a great researcher--thanks!
I just bought 2 from Costco, Banana Boat Baby Tear Free 50, that is a spray and has avobenzone. Anyway, I just skimmed over your post, so now I"ll have to really read it and research myself. THanks!
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