Sunscreen safety

mosco14

just wondering what you guys have been using all summer for sunscreen? We're going to Cabo San Lucas in the fall and I most definitely will be using sunscreen while there, I usually get burnt atleast 1 day on vacation, but then it usually turns to a tan within 2 days! Not complaining! Of course I'll be checking with my doc before going as to which sunscreens are safe, but I was just curious as to what all you ladies use while pregnant! And do you use a higher SPF while pregnant? Thanks for advice!

holocene

I've always tanned deeper and darker while pregnant vs. burning. But everyone is different. 

Substance by the Matter Company makes a good toxin free sunscreen. Have fun on your trip! 

Sovvy

I use Badger.

RunnerMeg

If I'm going to be in the pool or at the beach I use the same sunscreen we use on DS. Blue Lizard Baby. It's SPF 30 and contains only physical sunscreens, no chemical.

vvitchhazel

Ooo, this thread is calling my name! I love preaching about sunscreen!

You're actually not supposed to use an SPF higher than 30. Higher SPF's don't protect any better, they're just loaded with more chemicals. Using between SPF 15 and SPF 30 is more than sufficient. And SPF 30 only protects you 4% more than SPF 15. And if you go higher? SPF 50 only protects you 1% more than 30.

And remember that any sunscreens, regardless of the Sun Protection Factor, only protect against UVB rays, which are the ones that cause sunburns. UVA rays are the ones that can cause damage deeper in skin tissue. In general, it all depends on your skin type... SPF's mean something different for each skin type and there is actually a mathematical equation to determine the protection. For instance, if it takes you x minutes to burn in the sun without sunscreen, an SPF 15 will protect you 15 times x minutes. Same with SPF 30... 30 times x minutes.

I'm someone who burns very easily and I've found that the best way to protect your skin is to liberally apply (with dry hands!) a waterproof SPF 30 a half hour before getting in the water. It's also SUPER important to reapply every two hours at the latest. I set an alarm on my phone to reapply, because it's easy to lose track of time when you're soaking in the rays!

I agree with @je&moeder... Badger is FANTASTIC!

RunnerMeg

@vvitchhazel - Great info about SPF. There is a big misconception that SPF Million is better than SPF 30. Some sunscreens do protect against UVA rays though. Any sunscreen labeled "broad spectrum", by FDA regulation, must contain ingredients that protect against UVA. Avobenzone, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, and a couple others provide UVA protection. But an SPF number is only related to UVB, so even with a broad spectrum sunscreen, it's not clear how much UVA protection it's providing. Some countries require PPD and PA+ measurements, which measure UVA protection, but the measurements aren't as specific as SPF. And the FDA doesn't require it...hasn't jumped on that wagon yet lol.

jrouge12

I use Palmer's Cocobutter Formula Eventone Suncare Lotion. It's SPF 30 and smells delicious. It is also very moisturizing, which is nice right now. It's phthalate, paraben and PABA free. Also it's under $8 at Wal-Mart for a decent sized bottle.

cindyjoh

I purchased the Honest Company SPF 30 lotion earlier this summer... I do not love the way it applies, it is very "greasy" feeling. I do like that it is free of a lot of gross chemicals, but it hasn't won me over 100%. I still grab the good old spray every once and a while...

willashbaby

I use the honest as well. They reformulated it to help with applying. That said, it was messy but excellent. I was in the Bahamas in the sunniest of sun and did not burn. I was out for hours and in the water and was perfectly pale. I will totally use again.

Karenin

Coola sunscreen! No harmful chemicals, they have a spray or a cream and the cream goes on just like lotion- not sticky like most sunscreens, and they have truly unscented ones, a lovely pina colada scent as well as cucumber. I also use their facial sunscreen every day over my moisturizer.

I don't use higher SPF when pregnant but that's b/c I use the highest I can find anyway b/c I'm very fair and prone to burning.

indibidule

I use this, and I'm aware it's spf 60 and won't do me really any better than 30,but it's what I could find for a reasonable price that didn't contain the harmful chemical oxybenzone. I did a ton of reading on what to use and basically got from it that using physical sunscreens like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (which is all this one has) are the best. They basically block the sun from getting to your skin when applied liberally and therefore protect against uva and uvb rays.

mosco14

Thanks so much ladies! I'll keep an eye out for these! Yes I'm that nerd that will write them down and go to the store and compare!

Eastoncjr

I use copper tone sport 50spf all of the time because I'm super pale and do not tan even after I burn. Lol