Sun screen/block - which is best...spray or rub? Brand?
By coffeebreak
@coffeebreak (17798)
United States
April 8, 2011 10:26am CST
I am trying to be protective, cautious while being frugal and not waste money. But my grand children are the most important thing. So I ask comments and experience on this
Sunblocks
I know the high SPF is best. And just cause it is the highest price, doestn' mean it is the best. There are so many brands and styles these days.
But spray-on or cream/lotion for rub in and certain ones for certain body parts
The spray is really good for applying...just spray it everywhere and it gets there. No rubbing and hoping you cover everything. However, when you spray, you loose alot or waste alot cause one spray covers an area bigger than a little childs arm! ANd it is on the expensive side.
However, the cream kind for rubbing in..how much do you rub, how long, do you get EVERY spot? And then there is sun screen for just the face, just the nose....but afordable
Get my confusion?
So, I really like the spray as I think I can cover better with it but it is expensive. I like the special kind just for the face, Olay makes it, and I want to protect their faces as that is what is in the sun most constant, but again, expensive and have to wonder does it really work better than any other "full body" kind of sun screen. The rub in's are the most affordable, but i wonder if I am covering them well enough, and if not, waste of money to buy that over the spray. And is it better to let it soak into the skin like the spray says or rub it in like the creams says.
Thanks for your comments and experience with sun screen. Summer is coming up and I need to decide what to get and watch for sales and coupons and have it ready.
1 person likes this
8 responses
@Jennlk84 (4205)
• United States
10 Apr 11
I personally prefer the sunblock lotion. I use it all over my body. Sometimes I will buy a higher SPF for my face just because that tends to be the first place I get burnt and I really want to prevent it. I so often see people at the beach or the pool applying the spray and I see it going all over the place but I don't really know how much of it ends up covering their body. I just feel safer knowing I applied the lotion to my skin and am rubbing it in. Just my personal opinion though of course!
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
10 Apr 11
That's the same way I feel, however opposite.... I wonder if I am rubbing in on my grandaughters (those are who this is really about!) I wonder if I am "getting" all the areas good enough. That is why I thought the spray..hold arm out, spray all around. Close and cover eyes, spray face. It seems it would get to places I can't just using my fingers.
@okroger88 (24)
• United States
9 Apr 11
I enjoyed reading this discussion it was very interesting and i could only wish that
i could read more.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
9 Apr 11
Best thing about MyLot...information highway that is fabulous! Got a question? Ask MyLot!!! I much rather learn from those that have "been there, done that" than some article that is written by someone that hasn't a clue to the issue other than just what they read elsewhere. I think personal experience is the best teacher!
@my_name_is_coco (4333)
• Philippines
9 Apr 11
I am currently using Nivea sunblock for my body.I love Nivea because it is not sticky.you don't need to wait for 20 minutes to let it sink through your skin.for my face,I use a double duty product called Myra-E.it is a whitening,moisturizer,and sunblock in one bottle.I like sunblocks that are light on the skin,smells nice,and aren't sticky.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
9 Apr 11
What does it mean when you say it is "whitening"? This is mainly for my grand daughters when they come over this summer. They are in the pool or playgruond or riding bikes. And yeah, can't be sticky!
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
9 Apr 11
We are ghostly pale people (Irish blood) so I have to be very careful because we burn in no time. I like Neutrogena Spray cooling spray. Not only does it work great if there is already a little bit of burn it helps to sooth and heal it. It is expensive but every once in a while it shows up in Big Lots or Dollar General. When it does I buy a bunch as they do not go bad. I stocked up in the fall when the CVS had them on super clearance to empty out the summer stock. I should be good for almost if not the whole summer! OK I did hoard that...lol
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
9 Apr 11
That's a good brand name for skin issue. I'll check it out. This is mainly for my grand daughters...they are in the pool alot nad on their bikes when they come to my house in the summer. The burn cooling is a good thing...just in case! Thanks!
@millefeuille (369)
• Argentina
8 Apr 11
I personally like the rub on sunscreens, I don't trust a lot in sprays. One thing you must know, is that all types of sunscreens, sprays and rub, should be re-applied every one hour minimum, depending on the SPF, a higher SPF will last more hours, didn't provide a better protection, just last more time. If you want the best protection look for a sunscreen that says is broad spectrum, which means that provides both UVA/UVB protection. Most sunscreens provides good UVB protection but not enough UVA protection, and the UVA protection is the most important. UVA radiation is the most harmful and intense.
I use SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30 ($37), which should be re-applied every two hours. This is a non-chemical sunscreen with a true broad spectrum protection, and is made for sensitive skin and children, I personally think is one of the best sunscreens in the market, and I recommend this to you, especially if is for your grandchildren.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
9 Apr 11
I usually re apply every other hour. They are in and out of the water so I know ith as to wash off at some point. The other time I use it is when they are outside playing or riding bikes. In that case it is mainly just their face and shoulders and arms. I'll look into the brand you suggest
@ssebrinatw (175)
• United States
9 Apr 11
I like the banana boat sport lotion. The only thing is I try not to sunblock too much. It is true that you can get skin cancer, but it is also an issue that people block out the sun all the time and your body needs it to keep your vitamin levels up. People being too cautious is why so many are having vitamin b12 deficiencies. So I say get one, but if it doesn't cover completely, as long as you don't burn.... no worries.:)
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
9 Apr 11
I had forgotten about the Vit D from the sun! Well, I didn't on my self, but I am not out in the sun that much. I don't do bathing suits!
This is mainly for my grand daughters...when I take them to the pool or ride bikes or go to the playground. They are outdoors alot other times, so I guess it isn't really a concern of the Vit D, but thanks for mentioning that. I just don't want them to burn either. I have put what I thought was a good block on their faces and shoulders, and next thing you know they are burned there! And then too...I want it solid at the pool or while riding bikes as that is nothing but direct sun constantly. At the playground and other places...they at least have the times they get out of the sun..so not quite so necessary to be solidly covered those times.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
12 Apr 11
There are different views on this. Personally I feel that most of the blocks do more harm than good, and that what we EAT is what protects the skin from the harmful rays. I do believe in putting zinc cream over little noses, foreheads, and upper cheeks at the beach, though. But truly, I think the best protection is to eat right and avoid excess exposure...and to introduce exposure gradually.
@millefeuille (369)
• Argentina
13 Apr 11
This is somewhat true. Some antioxidant foods can provide UV protection like oranges, apples, dark grapes, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, olives, green and black teas and nuts.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
8 Apr 11
Personally I prefer the rub on because then it will not be messy. By this I mean I like to smooth it in so that it is sort of dried on. Where as with the spray I tend to feel sticky and my skin sort of wet and messy for my clothes and I feel it would stain where ever I sit.
It seems to me like the spray ones do not actually stick on well enough for me. I like to smooth on enough on to cover the entire area.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
9 Apr 11
It is mainly for my grand daughters and their young fair skin. And they don't like being sticky either, but I want it to last a little while since they are in the pool water. I just want them protected as they will burn so easy
