best sunscreen?

[Brandy]

The jersey and shorts tan lines have already started and I need some good sunscreen. What do you use? I prefer something non-greasy and sweatproof.

[AuntieK]

Here's a thread that may help you out:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=5595&highlight=SUNSCREEN

[Brandy]

Thanks Auntie K!

[Nanci]

Brandy, I've had really good luck with Neutrogena- the dry lotion pump and the spray-on, in the highest SPF they make. It's like 40 or 45 or something. I like that they make small sizes of the really strong stuff, too, to carry on the bike.

Nanci

[Brandy]

Thanks Nanci. Dry lotion sounds exactly like what I'm envisioning! I'll pick some up at the store tomorrow.

[Nanci]

They are both 45- I just looked. The spray-on is cool (neat _and_ cold cool) too- you can do your back with it if you don't have anyone to help. I was suspicious of it because it is so light- but I've used it now in Florida afternoon sun a number of times and done fine. I like both.

Nanci

[Fuji Girl]

I like Neutrogen too - I use the "Active Breathable Sunblock" that comes in a blue bottle, the SPF 45. I like that it's sweatproof and waterproof so it doesn't run into my eyes.

[Brandy]

Good point about the spray on...I need to get that. I have three little helpers running around here, but they're not always consistent in coverage! :D

[Dogmama]

Or, you can always get some "tan in a can" and make the white parts brown...

[susanm8048]

I live in Queensland where we have lots of sun and lots of skin cancer.

My understanding is that you should scan down the list of active ingredients and look for either zinc.... or titanium.....

These are physical blockers of UV that is what does the job. How greasy, "sticky", thin ,thick, alcohol base et al is all just personal preference.

Save your skin!!

[betagirl]

I like Bull Frog.

[Geonz]

I love coppertone spectra 3 ... all I could find today was my 2-year-old bottle of "30" - but last year (and now) I only see "50" and I think they jsut changed the name 'cause it's as if I'm not in the sun at all (and I'm fairly fairskinned, tho' not a *redhead* or a *blonde* or anything extreme like that :-) ) I don't even get tired like the sun makes me, and I was out there from 6:45 to 2:45. (Now Im Tired, go Figure! Just not headachy, yukky sun-tired)

[GLC1968]

Last week I slathered on a coppertone sport spf of 48 and went out for a 1 hour lunch time ride. I'm dark skinned, and I came back with terrible glove/shirt/shorts lines where there were none that morning! I was stunned because I'd only bought the tube last fall.

I went out and bought some bull frog spf 36 and used that yesterday. We were out in the sun for 3 hours straight and I got no new lines.

Moral of the story, make damn sure your sunscreen is new! This stuff loses its effectiveness over time and for some stupid reason, the bottles don't come with expiration dates!

The BullFrog worked well, was scentless, non-greasy and easy to apply (absorbed well). It's sweatproof and waterproof and I used it on my face with no problems (I have oily skin). I'm a new fan!

[J-hawk biker]

I've had great luck with the Neutrogena Dry-Touch lotion as well. I burn like crazy and never have a problem when I put the stuff on.

[Brandi]

I use surfer shop sun block with z-cote in it. My derm Dr said I have to use. I am fair skinned. And after years in the sun and a friend who died last month from Melanoma. Z-cote is the only way to go. And cause surfers use it, it doesn't hurt your eye's.

[Dogmama]

What is "z-cote"? I looked on all of my different sunscreen & didn't see that as an ingredient. Is it a brand name?

[LL_Super_D]

Z-Cote is the trademarked name of a formulation of zinc oxide. Usually zinc oxide is white (the stuff surfers put on their noses) but some company found a way to make it transparent. They are my heroes! Supposedly zinc oxide is the only sunblocking chemical that no one has ever reported any allergic reactions to.

I use a similar sunscreen to what Brandi uses. I have really sensitive skin - most sunscreens make me break out in full blown hives almost instantaneously... except for sunscreen made with Z-Cote.

[KnottedYet]

I've used 2 sunblocks that only have zinc oxide as active ingredient: Dermatone and Neutrogena.

The Neutrogena pretty much sucked. I have 2 or 3 bottles of it. The zinc doesn't expire, so I keep it for emergencies. Hopefully the newer formulations work better.

The Dermatone (Z-cote) is pretty good. Not waterproof or sweatproof, but pretty good. I keep it in the car, and can put it over my usual sunscreen (because it's inert) if I'm worried my Banana Boat or Hawaiian Tropic is wearing off. (BB and HT kids stuff have titanium and zinc sunblocks. And the sunscreens that don't wash off because they bond chemically to your skin)

My skin doc said he didn't care what I used, as long as it was spf 30.

I tend more to big hats and long sleeves/long pants. Not so good on the bike, though.;)

[Geonz]

What do you mean, jersey and shorts... it's that helmet strap tanline that makes people look at me funny (so don't forget to slather the stuff on under yhour chin!)

[Tuckervill]

I picked up a bottle of sunscreen this weekend that was like an aerosol. No rubbing it in...just mist it on. It worked great. The can is in the car, so I can't look at it, but I think it's Coppertone. I usually use Bull Frog spray on, but you have to rub that in, and if it's breezy it just blows away. But the aerosol-like stuff just coated my skin and you can do your BACK with it!

I spent about 10 hours in the sun on Saturday at my son's baseball tournament and nothing burned.

Karen

[Brandi]

Z-Cote is the trademarked name of a formulation of zinc oxide. Usually zinc oxide is white (the stuff surfers put on their noses) but some company found a way to make it transparent. They are my heroes! Supposedly zinc oxide is the only sunblocking chemical that no one has ever reported any allergic reactions to.

I use a similar sunscreen to what Brandi uses. I have really sensitive skin - most sunscreens make me break out in full blown hives almost instantaneously... except for sunscreen made with Z-Cote.
That is another reason i use it. My skin is sensitive too. But my derm Dr said zinc is truely the only really good protection. And the fact that you can get it clear and it isn't greasy like reg white zinc. That is another reason I like it. One of the brands we use is called dermatone, got that at the surf shop And my bottle says water proof.So I don't know why knottedyet"s isn't? And I just found one at the healthfood store called Aquasport by All Terrain.I haven't tried it yet but it says ultra sweat proof and no slip dry grip. Both are over 30 spf uva uvb etc.....

[Deanna]

I'd recommend most of the Neutrogena formulations, EXCEPT for the new "cooling mist spray". This might work for the recommended "wear sunblock all the time" situations where you're in and out of the sun, but it most definitely does not work in an active situation. Trust me--I learned the hard way.

[Lenusik]

Neutrogina products are great. However, I tan so quickly, it is not even funny. Luckily I do not burn. So, for the fast tanners: I found a sport sunblock that has +65 protection in it. It really helps me from the Arizona sun.

[caligurl]

i just use the no label stuff from walmart... SPF 30.... sport one! works good for me!

[KnottedYet]

Brandi- my Dermatone says it's waterproof, too. I wore it kayaking several times, and always when I got wet or sweaty the Dermatone "reappeared" as white smears and washed off right before my eyes. And I got burned. Maybe it just doesn't work well with my skin.

Whatever sunscreen/sunblock I use, I always make sure it has ti dioxide or zinc oxide block, even if it has other chemical screens in it.

Can't beat a physical block!