annahead

Hi everyone, Just curious what's the best sunscreen for very fair skin? Last year I used Total Block 65 for my face, Rit sunguard on my clothes, and Banana Boat SPF 45 for my body. I wear a hat, cover-up and sunglasses (except when in the water). I also avoid the mid-day sun as much as possible, and don't lay-out. Unfortunately, even with all my precautions I still got sun poisoining (but no sunburn) my last 2 days in Kauai last year. Big-time bummer. Is there anything else I can do, short of not venturing out doors?

starrsville

When I've gotten too much sun, I wear my Columbia long-sleeved tropical shirt made to provide sun protection while keeping you cool. I always keep on a ballcap and sunglasses...even in the water. I bought my shirt at the Bass Sportsman's store in Islamorada in the Keys.

But, it sounds like you have something else going on if you are gettin sun poisoning without sunburn. I'd consult a dermatologist.

I broke out in a red rash one time on a warm but not hot day on a mountain lake at 3000' elevation. Can't remember the name of the condition, but the dermatologist knew at once what it was.

At the very least he/she could recommend the best sunscreen for someone as fair as you.

babs001

I'm in the same boat - red hair and the very fair skin that goes with it! I tend to layer the suncreen. My moisturizer has it, my foundation has it. I use a hat and wear the sunblock clothing. I really don't like the way sun blocks/screens feel but I wear them anyway. The one item that I use that is not advertised to guard against the sun I found by accident. I use Prescriptives
Line Preventor. My husband and I went out of town one weekend and we accidentally left one bag sitting in the kitchen - my makeup, sunblock, hat, the whole nine yards. The only thing I had with me was a small container of the LP that I had in my purse. We went to an outdoor art fair and I knew I was cooked. By the time I got back inside to check the damage I discovered that I was pink everywhere except where I had applied the LP. I asked a sales associate about it later and she said that it must be because it is a shield against free radicals, etc, etc... Anyway, long story short, I use it religiously now,even on my hands. Of course, I don't sit out in the sun or anything, and I even have a parasol. I'm just trying to keep the damage from getting any worse. They say most damage is done by the time you are 20, and that was a long time ago for me!

babs001

I forgot it say that the actual sunscreen that I use on my face is from Dr Dennis Gross. It is formulated for the face. I order it from his web site.

Stephanie

Hawaiian Tropic has an Ozone SPF 70. They sell that in Florida. The best defense if you want no sun exposure is the sunscreen, the hat (get a wider brim), sunglasses and long sleeved tops and pants - linen or silk (fabrics that breath). Cotton is terrible when wet (slow dry) and you're more likely to want to get out of wearing it after a while. Saying all that it is nearly impossible to not get some sun exposure in the tropics or anywhere for that matter.

gail

What do you mean - sun poisoning? If you got no sunburn, then the goop and clothing did the job. If you are referring to the headache, nausea, fatigue that comes after spending time in the sun for some people (including me), then all the goop in the world will not work. Not sure what causes it - for some the logical explanation is dehydration - but it effects some people even if they consume enough fluids to float away.

As far as sunblock, most people do not apply enough. It is supposed to take about 2 ounces to cover a person - and if you look at the amounts in bottles, that is a lot of sunblock.

capecodnative

I'm very fair skinned and I use Bullfrog. I grew up in a coastal area, spend huge amounts of time outside and always got burned. Once I switched to Bullfrog, I never got a burn again. Even in Maui...spend an entire day swimming and snorkeling, reapplied twice during the day and barely got any color, let alone a burn. It's awesome stuff. I wear it all year round and haven't had any trouble.

mikemo

Walgreen's Ultra sunblock was highly rated by CR. I have used it in Panama, CR, USVIs and BVIs and in the mountains of Central Mexico. Once a day application was fine even snorkling and diving, 'tho I don't sunbathe.
M

MaureenB

Not sure if this is what you mean by sun poisoning, but my kids had a bad reaction to an SPF 45 brand name lotion two years ago. They were teens at the time, and it wasn't sunburn-- their skin got inflamed and really hurt them. Even after thoroughly washing off the sunscreen in the shower, their skin was painful for a day or two. I assumed it was a chemical in that sunblock. We applied aloe and Benadryl gel, which helped just a little.
I wonder if it's better to use an SPF 30 and re-apply it often, rather than trying to use a 45 or 60--?? It's fun having fair skin isn't it?!!

Billee

I really like Shisheido Ultra for the face (SPF 55). It's not as greasy as some, and I put it on my face and hands every day. I also keep their sunscreen compact in my purse for extra protection. Were you on any medication while in Hawaii? While taking meds during an illness, I noticed the little sticker that said "avoid sun", but went about my gardening, walking, etc. anyway. I had trouble with sun poisoning and now have sun damage. I am now very diligent avoiding sun exposure. Starrsville is correct in recommending a dermatologist.

mbuffone

The last time I went to the beach I forgot the beachbag that contained my sunscreen. So, when I arrived I ended up getting baby sunscreen (waterproof, not irritating and SPF 60) and I will never use anything else. No burn on my face, and I'm a red haired, fair skinned, green eyed girl.

The problem with most of the other sunscreens I tried previously was that it irritated my skin and wore off in the water. I would break out, and I am prone to sun blisters on my lips.

here_today_gone2Maui

http://www.docmartinsmaui.com/Page.bok?file=about.html

Fairhope

Some medications advise limited sun exposure --are you taking any of these?

jor

I'm a skin cancer survivor. Sounds to me like you are doing everything you can...which everyone should. I think you may have a special skin problem which you need to see a dermotologist for.

To everyone, PLEASE use sunscreen. A tan means that your skin has been attacked by ulta violet rays, sort of like a black eye means you have been punched. There is no such thing as a healthy tan.

kamahinaohoku

I second the suggestion for Bullfrog. Nothing gets through it, and it only comes off in soapy water. As I remember it, it was invented by a chemist for his little girl, who had platinum blond hair and blue eyes. I stopped getting a tan years ago when too many friends developed skin cancer, and I can still go to the beach with Bullfrog.

annahead

I guess some people were a little confused by my sun poisoning comment. The technical term is Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE) or sun allergy, or sun poisoning depending on who you talk to. It's not an allergy or poisoning, it just indicates hypersensitivity to the sun. The most common symptom is a hive-like rash, for me on my hands and arms.

Since I know I have PMLE I always apply sunscreen every 2 hours, wear long sleeves, a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, long pants, swimshirts etc. I also use a sun block for my face that is made for people with Lupus or skin cancer. It's called Fallene Total Block 65, it blocks all forms of light.

Consumer reports recommends Banana Boat sport, which is what I used last year. But the CR report is rather old, so I was just curious what others were using. Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I think I'll invest in some Bullfrog and a couple others just to see what works best for me!

paula1470

anna - I am a sales rep that calls on dermatologists and have been doing that for about 9 years with several diferent companies. Almost any dermatologists that I talk to recommends Total Block as the best sunscreen out there so sounds like you were using the right product.

One big issue about sunscreen is remembering to reapply. The SPF number only means how long you can stay in the sun without burning. So after an hour you should put your Total Block on again. Suncreens also protect only against UVB rays (they cause the redness). UVA and other rays are also damaging although they may not cause burning.

Someone else mentioned being on medications. Check out Total Block's website totalblock.com. They list medications that might have a reaction with suncreens. Seems like a pretty long list!! I don't work for Total Block but one of my friends did and I am constantly talking to my Drs. about sun damage.

cherie1

I have hypersensitivity to the sun too, Annahead. My favorite sunscreen is Sunceuticals Special Defense. It has block-out in it. However, sunscreen is just a back up for people like you and me, you really need to be fully shaded. I've found I'm only fully protected with a hat, sunscreen, long sleeves, etc. Still, my greatest find so far, and a real life saver (and vacation saver) is the sun umbrella I got from Sun Precautions, a company that sells protective clothing and accessories for those with sun issues. Sure, you first have to get over the self-consciousness of strolling the beach (and everywhere else) on a gorgeous day with an umbrella. But I'm past that...it sure beats being sick. Good luck to you.

GoTravel

Bullfrog.

No contest.

JJ5

At my lake in Michigan I have to cover myself at all times unless I am actually in the water. I too am the only lucky one in my family to have inherited my dad's very fair red hair skin. My siblings all get tan and don't burn(but that still isn't good for you.) I have burned so badly in the past- that I blistered (shoulders/ears too) several times before I was 20 and a few times afterwards so I have just learned to cover up besides the sunscreens. Every hour reapplying is really a stretch if I am out boating in/out of the water.

I'll try the Bullfrog - where do you buy it? Haven't seen it in my neck of the woods? I have used Total Block. Does Bullfrog last longer if you get wet? I find many products are washing away in an instant. From the name, it sounds like it may last.