Sunscreen or Sunblock for Body

[sprocketta]

Now that I am in NC, I find I am spending more time outside. I also went from wearing t shirts to tank tops because of the coming heat. So more exposed skin and more sun exposure. I got burned over the weekend (I had sunscreen on my face but hadn't thought to get any for body yet). I ordered some Neutrogena on Amazon but the tubes seem small. I have decided I will put sunscreen  or sunblock on all my exposed skin every single morning when I get ready (was only doing my face before). I need something quality in a good quantity. Want to take care of my skin without breaking the bank. That Carolina sun shines something fierce, but I'm loving more time outside. Thanks in advance!

[Chris38]

Good on you for taking sunscreen seriously!! 🙂

Two things that I would stress.  

1.  Sunscreen isn't just for summer!  We notice it more because it's hot, we're wearing less, and there's fewer clouds, so if we're not careful, we can brown and burn... but that sun is out 365. During the rest of the year, you can probably get by with either extending your face protection down your neck, but don't forget your hands and arms.  I like SUPERGOOP! - Handscreen SPF 40, but honestly, anything you like for your body will work just fine.  I still miss Neutrogena's old hand cream with sunscreen, but they don't make it anymore.

2. Read the fine print... "Must reapply every two hours." What you put on your face and body in the morning WILL NOT carry you through your day.  I like SUPERGOOP! - Defense Refresh (Re)setting Mist SPF 40 Mini, but I know that's spendy. 

All that said, take a peek over on the Consumer Reports website at their latest article on drugstore sunscreens. (You need a membership to see all the ratings, but the top ones are unmasked in the article.)

[sprocketta]

Thanks @Chris38 I was thinking about my hands but didn't think it made sense with washing my hands so much.

[ather]

@sprocketta  I actually just was researching sunscreens for the body a few weeks ago. My recommendations are sun bum the mineral one, liv clean mineral and aveeno mineral. I’ve looked into all these and have been using them on me and my son when we go out to play!!  

[missjeanie]

I'm way less picky about my body sunscreen too @sprocketta.. I tend to gravitate towards Ombrelle and Blue Lizzard, but I use a lot of Hawaiian Tropic (I like that coconutty sunscreen scent), Nutrogeena, and Sun Bum as well.  I try to pick them up when they're on sale at the drug store or if I see them at TJ Maxx (Check expiry dates). I go through ALOT of body sunscreen and usually use a lotion but I also keep a spray at my door and at work for easy touch ups through the day.  Good luck on your hunt!

[sprocketta]

Thanks @missjeanie a friend of mine just picked up some Sun Bum and is supposed to tell me how she likes it. I am using the Neutrogena now and picked up the Banana Boat. I'm applying liberally so I'm not willing to spend a ton on it. I remember being on a vacation many years ago and my mom and I tried a spray. We ended up with spattered burns because we didn't spread it out enough. That was bad!

[missjeanie]

Oh ouch @sprocketta !  I remember having a similar burn one time years ago with a spray... my spray direction didn't take wind into account!  I'm much more careful these days and only use sprays for touch ups from time to time.  I'm glad you found some less expensive ones to try out, I often go through a bottle a week and I live in a climate where Im only left with exposed skin for a much shorter time frame than you would be!

[GG84]

@sprocketta 

I use Sun Bum on my exposed skin when I’m outside (except my face). I quite like it. I’m on the super pale, burn easily side. 

[sprocketta]

@GG84 that's the 3rd vote for Sun Bum. Thanks. Gonna give it a shot.

[gingerleigh]

@sprocketta I haven't been able to catch it in stock for months, but I love Supergoop Forever Young Body Butter. It comes in a 5.7 oz squeeze tube, and the active ingredients are Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 7.5%, Octinoxate 7.5%, and Octisalate 5%. I am thinking of having a look for it on their brand website. I was disappointed to not be able to restock this during the most recent Sephora sale, but they do have sales there on the brand site occasionally as well.

SUPERGOOP! - Forever Young Body Butter with Sea Buckthorn SPF 40 PA+++

[gingerleigh]

On the Supergoop site I see the packaging has changed and it is now a generic looking "Body Butter". I wonder if they reformulated it?!

They did --

"P.S. This is a new reef-safe formula, meaning it's now octinoxate-free––and you won't even notice a difference in texture, feel, etc"  Hmm I guess when it comes back to Sephora it is coming without its false advertising of "Forever Young" 😜

[sprocketta]

@gingerleigh thanks for the recommendation, but this is WAY out of the price range I'm willing to spend given I'll be using it daily on a large portion of my body. I've heard good things about their facial sunscreens though.

[gingerleigh]

Now that I think about it, I never used it anywhere but my neck, hands, chest, and actually I also used it on my face. That must be why I felt like it was a good deal, as the tube is 3x the size of the usual sunblock for face. It felt like cold cream going on and I really liked it.

I spent most of summer 2018 in Oklahoma, and I tanned 2 shades despite religiously applying sunblock every 2 hours. It kept me from burning, but it didn't keep me from needing to buy new foundation shades! Looking back, I realize that I was perspiring it away much faster than I was reapplying it. I live in the PNW and I feel like sunblock sticks on here quite a bit better than it does in the South due to the cooler temps. So, that makes price a more sensitive factor.

@sprocketta 

I'm interested to find out if gripping primers and setting sprays can help sunblock stay in place, and if they could have any effect on their longevity whether lengthening it or shortening it by affecting the chemistry of the sunblock, and so on. Every now and then I do an online search trying to find an article that is talking about the topic.

[sprocketta]

@gingerleigh I sweat a lot and use a water-resistant sunscreen for my face because of it. I know I need to be better about reapplying. You must have been out a lot! I've heard other folks on BIC mention needing a different foundation shade for summer. That's really an interesting question re: the gripping primers and setting sprays.

[quspork]

@sprocketta  I've had good luck with Banana Boat Ultra Sport (50 spf). It comes in both a cream and a spray. Target sells twin packs of it so I always grab some during one of their "spend $xx in suncare and get a $5 or $10 gc" events. 

[sprocketta]

@quspork thanks! That's a much better value than the Neutrogena I just started using. Also thanks for mentioning Target. It was a hair cheaper there than at Amazon ($.01/oz including tax) and I ordered some for drive up. I guess the user of gas probably equals them out, but it's a short drive). Thanks for the recommendation.