Okay, so sunblock. It’s one of those things that really stresses me out, you know? Especially for the kids. I’m lucky, my good friend is a dermatologist, so she’s my go-to for pretty much any skin question. I called her in a panic before our last beach trip, and she basically told me to just look for zinc oxide. It’s apparently the best thing out there, blocks all the bad rays. She also said it's the only thing the FDA actually says is okay for infants under 6 months, which, I mean, that says a lot. A close second is titanium dioxide, she said. As for the SPF number, I always just assumed higher was better, period. But she told me what the American Academy of Dermatology recommends, and that’s for all kids to wear at least an SPF of 30 or higher, no matter their skin tone. So that's what I aim for now.
Her biggest point, though, was that none of it really matters if you don't use enough of it. And apparently, most of us don't. We just kind of slap a little on and think we're good to go. She said to reapply every hour and a half to two hours, especially if the kids are in and out of the water or just sweating up a storm. It feels like a lot, but I guess when you think about it, it makes sense.
Lord knows we've tried a million different sunscreens in this house. Some feel greasy, some leave a crazy white cast, and some just don't seem to work. So yeah, I figured I'd share the ones that have actually worked for us. I broke it down into stuff that's a bit of a splurge and stuff that's more of a drugstore find.
Adults
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen 60+SPF (+$20). This one is pricey, I know. But it's the one my dermatologist friend uses, and Consumer Reports seems to love it year after year. It feels like absolutely nothing on your skin, seriously. It just disappears, which I love because I really can't stand that sticky, heavy sunscreen feeling.
Neutrogena Ultra sheer dry-touch sunscreen SPF 100 (- $20). This is my go-to drugstore sunscreen. It’s super lightweight, absorbs really fast, and doesn't make my face break out, which is a huge plus. It's been a best-seller for ages for a reason, you know? It just works.
Babies
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Baby SPF 30 ( $20). For the little one, this stuff has been great. It has both the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide my friend mentioned, and it really, really stays on in the water. Plus, the bottle cap turns blue in UV light, which is a neat little reminder to reapply. My kids think it's magic.
Aveeno Baby continuous protection Zinc Oxide mineral sunscreen SPF 50 (under $20). This one's another solid choice. It's got that high SPF 50 and it's a mineral sunscreen, so it feels really gentle. It also has oatmeal in it, which I guess helps keep their delicate skin from drying out. My baby has sensitive skin and this one has never caused a problem.
Children
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo Kids sunscreen SPF 60 (over $20). Yeah, another La Roche-Posay. This one is for the older kids. It’s got antioxidants and vitamin E, and it’s super gentle—no parabens or fragrance. It’s great if your kid has sensitive skin like mine does. A bit of a splurge, but worth it for the peace of mind.
All Good Kid’s sunscreen SPF 30 (under $20). This formula contains Zinc Oxide and is specifically formulated for kids. In addition to protecting skin, this lightweight lotion also uses organic green tea, rosehip oil and chamomile. It’s also water resistant for 80 minutes and rubs in easily.
Honestly, it feels like a full-time job just keeping everyone safe from the sun. And I'm still learning. I used to just grab whatever was on sale, but now I'm that mom in the aisle reading all the tiny ingredients on the back of the bottle. It’s a lot to keep track of, but I guess it’s one of those things where a little bit of effort goes a long way. I just want them to have fun outside without me worrying the whole time, you know?
