The Long Hair Community

Jonobie · June 3rd, 2003, 12:11 PM

Anyone have suggestions for an awesome sunscreen? I've got a company boat party (on a lake, in the middle of a Texas summer day...) that I'm going to next week, and I seem to burn more easily these days than I used to. (Or I notice and care more. Not sure which. Anyhow...)

Yes, I'll be good and cover up too, but darnit, there's a waverunner with my name on it, and I'm gonna hop into the lake for at least a little bit. ;-)

Any suggestions on how to deal with my hair? It's got to be something that I can either do en route to the lake, or something I can wear to the office for the first half of the day and not be too embarrassed of...

Cheers,
Jonobie

julieG · June 3rd, 2003, 12:53 PM

I have always had pretty good luck with the Neutrogena sunscreens/sunblocks--I went jet skiing last summer and used one and didn't burn at all---I am fair skinned and burn pretty easily too

Quirky · June 3rd, 2003, 02:04 PM

I use Coppertone Oil Free Sunblock Lotion, SPF 45 on my face everyday and it hasn't made me break out (keeping fingers crossed). It is in a pretty big bottle and I got it from drugstore.com for $9.99.

bunniee · June 3rd, 2003, 02:49 PM

If I'm going to be out in the sun for awhile (over an hour) I use Hawaiian Tropics Baby Faces sunblock, 50 SPF. I got a big bottle of this at Randalls, and I think Eckerds has it too. It does have zinc oxide as one of the active ingredients, which can leave a white cast on your skin. I don't mind this since I like a pale look, but it bothers some people.

If you're going to swim, putting your hair up with a large barrette might be your best bet. Gather your hair up like your going to make a ponytail, twist then fold over once or twice depending on length, and fasten with a barrette (I hope that makes sense). This could easily be done when you leave work if you don't want this look at the office. Hairpins or combs would probably come out too easily, and you wouldn't want to risk losing a nice hairtoy like a Ficarre in the lake. A wide brimmed hat is nice too; just don't depend on it for sun protection.

bunniee

wtchmel · June 3rd, 2003, 09:27 PM

I like most of the ''sport"" sunscreens. I need a sweat/waterproof formula. I'm very white, and have had at least one sunburn every year of my life(i'm 37). Also, don't forget your head, especially if you have a part. I just got my head totally burnt over the memorial day weekend. Wear a hat if it's feasable. Have a good time.

Melanie

LongRed · June 4th, 2003, 01:58 AM

I second the vote for Nutrogena (sp?)
I have very fair skin and it works well for me!

SMELLS GREAT TOO!

h2odogmom · June 4th, 2003, 08:51 AM

hi there,

i just wanted to suggest ocean potion baby sunscreen (spf 50) as an option. i spend a great deal of time outdoors (fellow austinite too) and this stuff works well. it does contain parsol though in case you're sensitive to it. i personally cannot use any sunscreen on my face that contains this ingredient which is a bummer since it's in almost every commercial brand.

for my face i use md forte spf 30 which is a combination broad spectrum product containing both physical blockers and traditional chemical ones and it doesn't leave a whitish cast to my skin. i'd use this allover my body but the stuff comes in ridiculously small tubes.

as for straight physical blockers, the newer ones with micronized zinc seem to help avoid the pasty white look. i've been thinking that i would like to switch to a total physcial sunblock for body and face if i can just find the right one!

HTH

Jonobie · June 4th, 2003, 09:26 AM

Cool, some great options there.

Thanks, everyone! I guess I need to start figuring out what "physical" blockers are. I know very little about sunscreens, I guess. I have a tech job -- the only tan I get is the from the glow of the computer monitor. ;-)

Cheers,
Jonobie

euphrasyne · June 4th, 2003, 10:43 AM

Bananna Boat SPF 50 waterproof in the black tube. I love this stuff; It lasts a long time, so I don't have to reapply as often.

Cheryl

Bethany · June 4th, 2003, 12:30 PM

One thing I do know is that you're supposed to make sure the sunscreen has zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or avobenzone (Parsol 1789) in it. They're the most effective ingredients for screening out UVA rays (the cancer-causing ones.)

I think my sunscreen is from Coppertone...

Anne · June 6th, 2003, 09:00 PM

I like Elta 30+

I've tried every sunscreen out there it seems and they've always been to shiny or greasy for my oily skin, the wind blows and my hair sticks to my face :what:

The Elta I use isn't water proof, but I don't need a water proof one, it's light, not greasy or sticky, no smell, non-irritating, an actual physical block meaning it's zinc oxide based and it doesn't make me break out.

Violeta · June 7th, 2003, 05:56 AM

IMO, it really depends on you skin

, so far I’ve tried a tone of sunscreens and reacted to all of them so I am still looking for the perfect one.

heather · June 9th, 2003, 01:31 AM

if anyone's curious, the water proof sunscreens are supposed to be more zit causing than the water resistant style.

the only suncreen i've been able to stand wearing on my face is all terrains terrasport 30. it uses micro zinc oxide (5%) and it doesn't feel any greasier to me than normal face lotion. and it doesn't give me "shiney face", gack..i bought it online at prolithic.com. this is a victory for me, because for the first 34 years of my life, i haven't worn anything on my face due to i hated how everything felt, all slimey and chemical laden.

on my body i wear banana boat baby magic 50. it contains a variety of screens, including titanium dioxide (5% also) does look a little pasty, but it's cheaper than the crap i put on my face.

h

Bethany · June 9th, 2003, 09:17 AM

I gather that the avobenzone is what gives you the "shiny face" but that it actually clogs the pores less than zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (the other 2 effective UVA-blocking ingredients.) So it's sort of a trade-off.

heather · June 9th, 2003, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bethany

I gather that the avobenzone is what gives you the "shiny face" but that it actually clogs the pores less than zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (the other 2 effective UVA-blocking ingredients.) So it's sort of a trade-off.

i thought people on this board were using zinc oxide to clear up their blocked pores? i know it's supposedly astringent, maybe that's why. dunno. h