Sunblock Recommendations

hi L...we use hawaiian tropic spf 30 on my kids and it has worked great it also has a light fruity scent so kids like you putting it on because it makes them smell good..i always had to fight my kids to put sunscreen on until i got this stuff..i hope this helps.

I have a friend who is a pediatric dermatologist and she told me to buy blue lizard for kids. It just recently became available in drug stores like CVS and MANY dermatologist offices carry it. It is not harmful even for infants to use as long as you use the one specifically for kids.

I use Baby Blue Lizard for my 9 month old. It is rather expensive compared to most sunblock that you can buy and since your children are older you may not want to purchase it, but it is definitly worth looking into.

We use a natural sunblock with the least amount of chemicals. Actually we have NO CHEMICALS in our house at all. Childrens body masses are much smaller then ours and I feel no child should be exsposed to toxins if they don't have to be. I can reccommend a great company to you. www.livegreeneasy.com The consumer product safety commission reported that 150 common household chemicals have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer, and psychological abnormalities. These are things found in the home such as sunscreen, soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, cleaners, etc.There are some great sources on the internet to research further.

Hi L.,

My sister checks everything on Consumer Reports.com and Banana Boat has gotten great reccomendations and that is what I use on my two little ones.

Hope that helps, enjoy your time by the pool.

hi L.,
i have a 9mos old and we are outdoor people so i was also searching for a good sunscreen. i am all for organic, natural products and we like the natures gate sunscreen for babies and children. its light and fragrance free. i think california baby and burts bees also have sunscreen for babies and children.

hope this helps!
c.ross

We use Earth's Best By JASON. It's chemical free and organic. Here's the info I found online:

Chemical Free Sunblock SPF 30+
70% Organic and Hypo-Allergenic

Earth's Best Organic protects baby's delicate skin from the sun with this SPF 30+ Chemical Free, Fragrance Free Sunblock created by JASON. This hypo-allergenic sun block is extra mild and safe for use on babies and sensitive adults. Enriched with Beta Glucan, Oat Oil and Lavender Extract this sun block not only protects but soothes.

I checked with my doctor when my son was 4 months old and he said it was the safest way to go. It's a little thick to put on but I wouldn't put anything else on my baby.

I really like the one California Babies make, especially the one with bug protection. It doesn't seem as harsh as the other brands out there. I did notice that the bug protection only works on some kids though. It works great on my 2 year old daughter, but not her cousin. He still gets bit.

Y.

While Arbonne is an excellent choice, I did a lot of research (witht he help of Parents Magazine) last year for my little boy and wound up choosing Aveeno's baby block. There's nothing in it that is harmful to babies.

Hi L.. I have an awesome product recommendation for your family - its pure, safe and only made with natural ingredients. Its the ABC line from Arbonne - the sunblock is spf 30 there is also a baby lotion, diaper rash cream, hair & body wash. I do have samples if you are interested - I am a consultant and would love to help you. Good Luck.....
L.

L.,
I have only one recommendation:
UV Natural <http://www.uvnatural.com/&gt;

All the ingredients are naturally sourced and safe for prolonged use. They have an Adult and Baby formula (they are exactly the same) and a water resistant formula as well which is safe for both babies and adults alike.

I am a member of a group that is currently doing a group buy on this (wholesale pricing) and would be happy to send you the information.

There are many "Natural" products available today that might suit your needs, and I would suggest that you steer clear of anything too mainstream (Name brands) as they all contain artificial ingredients.

UV Natural is non-greasy, but the product does contain several oils so it does feel a little oily gong on, but they are readily absorbed by the skin for sun protection.

Some helpful links for choosing sunscreens that are safe:

<http://www.skinbiology.com/toxicsunscreens.html&gt;
<http://www.mercola.com/2004/may/26/summer_sun.htm&gt;

Scroll to "problem ingredients":
<http://www.aubrey-organics.com/about/articles/suncare.cfm&gt;

Best of luck finding something that works/looks right for your family.

Blessings,
Rolinda
Wife, Mother, Friend

We use Bullfrog sunscreen. I buy the spray. It comes in SPF 36 (and possibly higher). I love it because you spray it on and let it dry. There is no rubbing and it dries quickly. It is not greasy or messy. Best of all it is quick to apply, so my kids don't fight. My older daughter will hold her breath and close her eyes while I spray her face. For my two year old sun, I'll get a small tube of lotion to apply to his face in addition to the spray. But we love the spray. My kids have not gotten burnt when using this product and we have been out in the sun during peek sun times with it at a few of the local amusement parks (including 2 waterparks). Just remember whatever brand you use, put it on 20 minutes before going out into the sun and reapply as recommended. My advice, since it will be your own backyard you are going into, is to put it on when you dress them in the morning and then reapply it as needed throughout the day. That way you know they are covered before you go out.

There are other brands who have sprays that come in pumps, these are usually spray lotions though and you have to rub them in. Plus they have all the drawbacks of regular lotions. A few other brands have the spray that you don't have to rub (like Banana Boat) but they usually come in an aerosol can. Because of how the aerosol sprays, the sunblock gets used up faster.

Also, for more information on Sunblock, you can check out the webpage: http://pediatrics.about.com/od/sunscreen/a/06_sunblock.htm

Hope this helps. Enjoy the pool.

My ped recommended using the Neutrogena sunblock stick. Its easy to apply and it doesn't run. The spf is also 30. I use that on my 11 months face and waterbaby on the body. My sisters also both use the same. Its hard to find the stick but I like it b/c its not real greasy either.

I use the coppertone spray with my son. I love it because I can get it on him quickly (just make sure it is the no rub continuous stuff, not the spray lotion) and he has never got burnt with it. We have a boat and spend most of the summer on the river and it has been great.

I'm in agreement with Shannon T. I use this same product line and love it. The sunblock is awesome! I can lube up my boys and throw them in the pool and they don't burn. Remember too, sunblock has a shelf life. Once the season ends, throw it out and get new sunblock next year! It does lose it's potency.

Arbonne. It is botanically-based, and contains no harmful chemicals. Their baby products work great for children with exzema issues, and are pure, safe and beneficial. I used the sun block all last summer, and my kids never got burned. I swear by it.

I stocked up on the sunscreen, so let me know if you want to try one. Email me at ____@____.com.

A good friend of mine who lives in Florida is an Arbonne rep. (Full disclosure here; she sells the stuff.) She swears by their baby sunblock, and since they live in Florida she uses it on her son (11 months old) every day. She says it's a botanically based product that's easily absorbed, non-greasy, and gentle on her son who has excema that has been relieved with Arbonne baby products.

I use their baby lotion on my son (9 months old) and love it, so I just ordered a bunch of the sun block and will try to remember to let you know what I think when it arrives. But you may want to look into it as an option before then.

Enjoy your new pool!

My son has really sensitive skin -- so much so, we have to use cloth diapers. I had a lot of trouble finding sunscreen that wouldn't make him break out or cry. The best I found was Avon Sun Kids SPF 30. The one I have is in a spritz bottle and it comes out blue. He is really fair and didn't get a single sunburn all summer. One day last summer we took a family trip to the shore. My husband and I used different sunscreen and were horribly burned for days and our son had nothing. I hope this helps.

i use avon disappearing color sunscreen
its neat cause you can see where you put it