After a month straight of rain and grey skies (which is very rare for Boulder, Colorado) the first weekend of summer vacation finally feels like summer. It’s sunny and in the mid-80s. The kids are at the neighborhood pool with Daddy and right about now, I’m hoping he’s applying a second layer of sunblock to any exposed patches of skin. I recently read a blog that listed the
11 Worst Sunscreens for Kids and I was dismayed to realize we actually have what they are calling "The Worst" in our cupboard right now.
Putting sunscreen on my kids is probably the only thing I don’t like about summer. They whine, protest, wiggle and run when tell them it's time to put it on. Maybe that's because they don't understand the cause and effect of "Not wearing sunblock" and "Getting a painful sunburn." They've never been sunburned, unlike their sun-spotted mother, and I aim to keep it that way. But because they don't really understand the importance of wearing sunscreen outside, they don't feel as inclined to cooperate as they might otherwise. In fact, it might be easier to apply an even layer of lotion on a ticked-off, greased piglet who is trying to get away than to put it on my children. I don’t know how many times they've gotten sunblock in their eyes because they squirm when I am trying to cover their faces.
Sunblock and eyes are not a good mix ever for anyone involved--the Sunblocker, the Sunblockee, and anyone else whose trip to the beach or the pool depends on everyone in the group being adequately slathered and preferably, not screaming in pain. I’ve yet to find a sunblock that meets all of my requirements:
- Non-toxic
- Organic
- Doesn't cost a fortune
- Goes on quickly and evenly
It also needs to meet my kids requirements:
- Doesn't make them white and pasty looking
- Doesn't sting eczema flare ups
- Doesn't run into the eyes
The best sunblock I have found, that meets all but a few our combined prerequisites for perfection, is
Sierra Madre Sun Cream. It looks and smells so delicious, sweet and creamy with a light citrusy scent, that I almost want to spread it some toast and eat it. It doesn't sting my children's sensitive skin, it's fairly waterproof, it all-natural and non-toxic. The kids do complain that it makes their skin white (that would be the zinc, which is a physical blocker and one of the best ingredients to look for in a sunblock), it is rather thick and pasty but it rubs in well but unfortunately, it costs a small fortune. We use it as often as we can but sometimes, we do resort to the chemical concoctions in a pinch. I'd rather risk possible long-term effects of the chemical exposure than the immediate effects of a nasty sunburn and the long-term risks of skin cancer and sun damage. We've also avoid sunburns by:
- Wearing SPF clothing
- Wearing SPF swimshirts
- Wearing wide brimmed hats
- Staying inside during the hottest, sunniest parts of the day
- Wearing sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection
We just started hitting the splash pads now that Texas is getting some sun. I slather on the BabyGanics sunscreen, put on a sun proof rash guard and hat and us gingers hit the sun for a short amount of time! We go first thing in the morning and avoid the sun between 12-4 everyday!
Good to know! I think it’s really weird that doctors don’t talk about this stuff. I hate having to rely on Dr. Google to figure out what sunscreens ACTUALLY work and what don’t. That’s something you just don’t want to chance!
This is our first summer slathering the sunscreen on the babe. We’ve resorted to sprays for us the past few years, which I also hate, but eh, it’s easier. I’ll spray the baby legs and then lather up the arms and face. Everything is just so greasy (sigh)
Last year we found an organic one that was made in Quebec (we are Canadian). It was very easy to out on her when she was tiny and didn’t move around, but now that she’s older and running around she doesn’t like to sit still, for me to rub it in! Regardless, it’s nice to know that I don’t have to worry about certain chemicals and skin reactions as she has very sensitive skin!
I seem to burn much easier than my children. But they have swim clothing to cover as much of their skin as possible and then a good cream sunscreen for the face. Hard to find one that doesn’t burn.
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