As is pretty normal around this parts, we seem to have gone directly from winter into summer, with no real spring in between. And we also seem to have gone from winter boots and coats to the danger of sunburn.
I've been in denial about all this but I noticed a bit of pink on my arms today and realized I need to start applying the sunscreen. You'd think this would be simple but it's really not.
I am extremely ambivalent about sunscreen. It's important as a means to help prevent cancer but much of it is filled with carcinogens. The kind that isn't can feel like rubbing on bread crumbs and leave cement like globs on your skin. I found one a couple of summers ago that was organic and everyone liked but it cost $52 for 147ml (5oz). In my house, one of these tubes didn't last very long.
I think I can justify something a bit more expensive that I use sparingly on my face but I need something that the kids can apply liberally without me hovering over them muttering contradictorily about coverage and waste (Blogger says "contradictorily" isn't a word but I think it ought to be and I'm going to use it).
Our fallback seems to be buying sunscreen with good sun protection power and recommended by doctors but still loaded with chemicals. Or to use whatever's handy and hope for the best.
I'm sure there is a better solution out there. Do you have an affordable, effective and safe sunscreen you can suggest? One that's good for sports? Good on your face?
I think I need to pull my head out of the sand. That might keep my head from getting sunburn but it's not a very practical way to spend our fleeing summer.
6 comments:
I can't help you with children, sorry, but I wear sun hats and long-sleeved white button-down cotton shirts in an effort to reduce the amount of sunscreen I need to slather on. Good luck avoiding all the carcinogens in the stuff that's "supposed" to keep us safe!
--Sarah
Looking forward to (hopefully) hearing some recommendations. Some of which would equally hopefully be scentfree.
Thanks for posting about this.
I use Kinesys. It's oil free/alcohol free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. It doesn't contain any parabins. It has a mild mango scent. I get a rash from the sun and this works for me. It's not expensive. Available at Costco and drug stores. Comes in a spray so it goes further.
Thanks- covering up is definitely the best strategy in some situations. Going to check out Kinesys, though, which sounds very promising.
Think baby from mountain gear, it's the only one that passes on EWC and I get it sent free to me. Most of it seems to be stuck in North van but they ship free, jo
Think Baby is going on the list! Thanks!
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