Sunscreen Suggestions

[roadie gal]

I vote for Aloe Gator. I use the lotion. It's fairly cheap and works well, and doesn't hurt when you sweat it into your eyes.

The gel version is REALLY greasy, though.

[carolp]

I'm a big fan of kineysis -- I probably spelled that wrong. But it works well, and the spray goes on dry. I also use their stick for the area around my eyes and my lips.

[Catrin]

Winding Road - thanks for starting this thread! You have made it finally get off my a** and get to the store for some sun-screen. I wound up getting some Alba Botanica Pure Lavender sunscreen - apparently good for 80 minutes (we will see). The price wasn't bad.

The sports version was for a shorter time period so I didn't get it and the version I got was recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation - assuming that means anything at all. It says it is a "very emollient sunscreen", we will see what that means. Hopefully that isn't another way to say "very greasy". Now that I have it I see that EWG doesn't rate it well in the safety department...

[Owlie]

Timely thread, since I'm looking for sweat-resistant sunscreen that won't block pores. I'm a little leery of the 'natural' ones for that reason--if I get most lotion on my face, it turns into the site of the annual meeting of the Great Lakes Zit and Pimple Society.

[amb]

I am partial to Coppertone Oil Free SPF 50 (minimum 30 if I can't find 50):

http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...8&catid=274389

I like this bc it's NOT greasy at all, it works, it doesn't make me break out (acne or skin reaction) and it doesn't have that tell tale sunscreen smell. It can be hard to come by in the store (higher than SPF 15) and when I'm forced to use something else, I hate it. I should buy this in bulk as my husband and I go through many bottles a year.

It may not be the best or most natural but it is definitely my favorite. Frankly, "good" sunscreen is the one you'll actually use!

[OakLeaf]

Timely thread, since I'm looking for sweat-resistant sunscreen that won't block pores. I'm a little leery of the 'natural' ones for that reason--if I get most lotion on my face, it turns into the site of the annual meeting of the Great Lakes Zit and Pimple Society.

That's because most of the ones that are marketed in natural food stores are no more "natural" than the rest of them. Skin care products are even worse than processed foods, because they're basically unregulated. Ya gotta read the label, and even then, if you're like me and sensitive to a whole lot of things that aren't yet on your "list," it's trial and error, and a whole lot of searching and cussing when I can't find my usual brand.

Plus, "sweat-resistant" and "won't block pores" are mutually exclusive. The only way they "resist" sweat is by keeping you from sweating. But at least you should be able to find something that doesn't sensitize you.

I could send you a little jar of eco:logical to try - not necessarily the most sanitary thing in the world but if you want to try it I'd be happy to. I totally feel your pain about the hundreds' of dollars worth of skin care products under the sink that you've used once.

[Catrin]

....eco:logical...

Sorry for the high-jack:

I seem to remember your mentioning this before Oakleaf, do you use it on your body or just your face? I think you use arm coolers - or is that Crankin? Memory isn't working well this early in the day

If you use this on your body does it allow you to sweat? It is considerably more expensive than the Alba I bought yesterday - but I see it has a far better rating from EWG than the Alba does. I must use the Alba for now, but one tube of it shouldn't cause a problem - but that small tube won't last that long.

[OakLeaf]

Yep, I'm the one you're thinking of. I love the function of the DeSoto arm coolers, I hate the fit (they are basically a truncated cone with no shaping and very little stretch to them, so the arm opening at the top is bigger than the bicep and the forearm is MUCH smaller than either ). They do stay up a little better once I start sweating and have something for the silicone grippers to latch onto. I haven't had an issue with the grippers sensitizing my arms the way silicone grippers on shorts do with my thighs. I've got a pair of the Zoot arm coolers on order from TE - should be here in a day or two.

Being able to sweat and staying a little cooler is really the #1 reason I prefer to cover with fabric where I can. A lot of professional athletes won't use sunblock for just that reason. The only way it's going to stay on when your body is trying to sweat is by keeping you from sweating. Otherwise it just washes right off.

[nuliajuk]

Every time I find a sunscreen that I really like, it seems to disappear the following season. I liked a gel sunscreen that Hawawiian Tropic used to make - gone. It went on wet, quickly dried, and never felt greasy or heavy, and didn't attract particles of grit on dry windy days.
Ditto for Cler Zinck, which was the only kind that really stayed on for long open water swims. Googling them hasn't brought up any results, so I guess they quit making them.
Now I use a Neutrogena sunscreen for everyday use and zinc diaper rash cream for long swims. I look like a ghost in the latter, but it stays on and really works.