JJ5

Oh yes, I did use that Walgreen's Ultra Sunblock as in the above post, as well. It is good, and it did work in the Caribbean last month. But I didn't swim much there, and I'm really looking for something that lasts in water. If it's "heavy" or oily, that's ok. Does Bullfrog come in different forms?

GoTravel

Bullfrog is a SPF 36 Gel that surfers swear by. I figured if they say it works, I'm on board.

It guarentees waterproof, sweatproof, UVA/UVB protection and it dries instantly. If saltwater doesn't take it off, it is pretty good.

If you don't have a surfshop near you, try Walmart.

JJ5

Thanks!

cherie1

Geez, I think I'll try Bullfrog too!!!

GoTravel

www.bullfrogsunblock.com

"BullFrog Sunblock delivers all-day waterproof sun protection with just one application."

"Up & down the California coast, the "locals" tell about it. An incredible creature called BullFrog. While it started out on dry land, its destiny was determined by the water. World class surfers soon claimed BullFrog "an amphibious wonder" providing them with sun protection which was as durable in the water as they were, defying the elements of time and the scorching sun. Today on the beaches from Malibu to Maui to Miami, BullFrog is the trusted one for those who face hours in the sea and sun. Whether you swim, sail, bike, jog, snorkel, hike, ski, or merely splash around, surfer-tested BullFrog is a reliable companion for trusted sun protection.

BullFrog, just ask surfers, for you and for your kids, it's the World's Best Sunblock."

amwosu

I use Skinceuticals Sport SPF 45 which is sweatproof and waterproof and contains the physical barrier zinc (Z-Cote) while many lotions use a chemical barrier. I get it from an aesthetics dept. in a cosmetic surgeon's office but it can be found online as well.

cherie1

I use Skinceuticals too, it's great stuff. In my earlier post, I called it Sunceuticals. Oops. I just used my last drop over my vacation last week in Florida. Can't decide whether or not to try the highly recommended Fallene Total Block for something new...

lck454

I too suffer from PMLE, and it sounds like Bullfrog may be something that may help me. However, I also like to get a tan over the summer months, and was just wondering if you still get a tan while using Bullfrog, or does it completely block all tanning?

GoTravel

Put it this way, I spent two weeks on a sailboat in the Bahamas one June. I was outside on the boat from sunup to sundown for two weeks solid. I used Bullfrog and only Bullfrog the entire time. I never once burnt and came home with a savage tan

lck454

If it will prevent PMLE, and still be able to get a tan, I'm buying Bullfrog!! Nothing more disappointing than waiting all year for a vacation at the beach, then having to limit your sun exposure due to a severe rash from PMLE!!! Thanks, Go Travel, hopefully you've just saved my vacations from now on.

GoTravel

What is PMLE?

lck454

It is short for Polymorphous Light Eruption, or sun allergy. It looks like small, watery blisters of the skin. It happens early in the year when you first expose the skin you've had protected from the sun during the winter months. Usually hits the chest, upper arm, shoulder area. Typically goes away in a week or so, and the skin "hardens off' after being exposed to the sun a few times. But when it first hits, more sun exposure usually makes it worse. That is why I'm looking for a sunscreen/block that will protect from the outbreak of PMLE. Go to the beach in May, and after the first day I have to be careful about removing my shirt because of the PMLE and it getting worse.

poetryite

This is probably too late, but here goes: Having Lupus for many years has been challenging,too. I also react to many of the harsh sunscreens (the ones that probably work the best)and have great difficulty finding the right ones.(I have to use different sunscreens or sunblocks in different areas,e.g.ONLY titanium dioxide on my face,Bullfrog Superblock Lotion 45 on my arms (cannot use Bullfrog gels that are SPF 36-go figure!) I'm sensitive to the Fallene Total Sun Block and it was a very expensive experiment, I'll say. My dermatologist is one of the best and he has difficulty finding one that doesn't cause me irritation of the skin. Bullfrog Spray is the greatest thing for my child who has a tendency to burn like a redhead because her skin is very fair. So, my advice is to experiment with the cheapest ones that work the best-Bullfrog products and Panama Jack's SPF 75 before moving on to the expensive stuff. Hope this helps someone.

tartangal

In addition to applying a liberal portion of sunscreen you need to reapply it at fairly frequent intervals (as much as every 90 minutes if you are perspiring or swimming-even if it says waterproof, I believe). I know a number of the sunscreens already mentioned state they provide great protection, but unless they contain Parsol 1769 (avobenzone), titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide they are not protecting anyone from both UVA and UVB rays. It's criminal the way the FDA allows companies whose sunscreens are not properly formulated to claim their products offer skin cancer protection.
Adding antioxidant-rich moisturizers under the sunscreen can help. It's even possible that a vitamin supplement containing PABA can help protect you. I heartily recommend the wonderfully formulated non-irritating products from Paula's Choice (www.cosmeticscop,com)

TxTravelPro

My favorite is not available in the US. I buy it in Canada and the UK...
Here's an article about it:

Burn, baby, burn

The other thing we worried about in Montana was being toasted by the sun. Only a fool goes out without sunscreen these days, and spending hours in the middle of nowhere digging up dinosaur bones would have left us in bad shape without it.

So, like everyone else, we slathered on our SPF 45 and 48 sunscreen and kept ourselves sunburn free. And believe me, if you missed a spot, you knew. (To be accurate, I bet most people didn't "slather" it on. Using sunscreens properly require that you use plenty, something most people don't do.)

Anyway, about sunscreens: Some work by physically blocking the sun from your skin; think zinc oxide and white noses. But most of us — those unwilling to look like some strange tribal warrior — use the typical chemical sunscreens that absorb the nasty ultraviolet (UV) rays.

See, those UV rays get your pigment cells (called melanocytes) to produce melanin, which makes you tan. Trouble is, those melanocytes are easily damaged by UV rays and can cause skin cancer. (UV rays are a form of ionizing radiation, which makes them Bad; see my column on the subject from April.) The tanner you are, and the more often you tan, the greater your chances of cancer.

Here's the thing about sunscreens: Even the ones with the high SPFs — like the 48 we used in Montana — only block some of the UV rays, the ones known as UV-B. The other major kind, UV-A, are less powerful but there are more of them. (UV-C is the most powerful, but is absorbed by the atmosphere.)

But it's the UV-A rays that can age skin and cause skin cancer. In fact, it may be the primary cause of skin cancer; it's possible that sunscreen only prevents you from burning, but doesn't protect your cells' DNA from damage. (A five year study at the Queensland Institute for Medical Research in Brisbane, Australia, found that using sunscreen didn't reduce the risk of melanoma or basal cell carcinoma in adults.)

All this leads us to Mexoryl.

Mexoryl was developed by scientists at L'Oreal. (Yes, you read that right. L'Oreal has one of the most advanced dermatological labs in the world.) It blocks UV-A rays, something other companies weren't able to achieve because the chemicals would break down too quickly. With that problem solved, L'Oreal started selling products with Mexoryl back in 1993.

Today there are lots of sunscreens using Mexoryl (either Mexoryl SX or XL), and they provide far, far better protection than those that don't.

But Mexoryl isn't legal in the US. The Canadians have it, the Europeans have it, that Japanese have it, the Australians have it, the Mexicans have it, the South Americans have it — but not us. It was, in fact, submitted for approval to the FDA on June 28, 2001, but still that approval awaits. And so do Americans.

Well, maybe not. Today there's this Internet thing you may have heard of, which allows you to shop around the world and buy these better sunscreens easily. (People have been selling it in major cities for some time, in fact, although it's an 'under-the-counter' product.)

A quick Froogle search will come up with about two dozen places selling major-brand sunscreens with Mexoryl. They're not in the States, but they're happy to provide you a price in Yankee Dollars; some even offer free shipping.

There's plenty of speculation about whether and when the FDA will approve Mexoryl (the agency itself can't comment). Till then, you have to decide what's more important: Listening to the FDA, or preventing skin cancer. I know which way I go.

Stephanie

I am fair too - what you are doing is fine, it not to good to get super obsessed with something you can't avoid. what is so stupid are the people who stay outside for hours and use no protection and get burned then complain and want sympathy. The more you expose your skin gradually to the sun daily (30 minutes at a time), the better your skin gets use to the sun and can protect itself naturally. Even the fairest skin can get a slight tinge of color over time which is natures way of protecting itself.

beentheretwice

Stephanie:
I would question your advice. According to dermatologists, tanning is the display of damaged skin. AND, the damage is cumulative over your life time. Your skin may toughen up like protective leather, but that ain't the way I want to look!

Annabel

Sunscreens with Mexoryl are the way to go. You cannot get it in this country, but you can order it online from Canada. I get Ombrelle from L'Oreal in spf 15 with Mexoryl,which blocks 92% uva rays. I think I pay 17 per bottle from Canada, but it is worth it.

I have sensivite/fairer skin and used to get red bumps on my skin, which is called sun poisioning. It is a combination of things, irritating sunscreens and your skin getting too hot. Go into the water and cool your body down as often as possible. Since I lowered my spf and go into water often, I no longer have this problem. My dermatologist told me the higher SPF, the more irritating it is. She explained to me that SPF = the amount of time you can spend in the sun before getting burned. I use 15 and reapply often. I never ever burn, and never get dark, which I prefer.

Also the best way to prevent sunburn is to apply sunscreen after your shower in the morning to your ENTIRE body. You do get sun thru your clothing and bathingsuit. Many people do not use enough sunscreen either...really slather it on and rub it into your skin. So many people wait to get to the beach or outdoors to apply which is wrong...sunscreen actually takes a good 30-45 minutes to work. By applying it first thing all over your body, with a lower SPF, you will be protecting your entire body and not irritating it. If you use an spf 15 you should reapply every 2 hours.

I know everyone is different, but this is what really works for me. I am not a doctor but it sounds like annahead is irritating her skin with harsh sunscreen due to the high spf. Try lowering the spf, reapplying often and cooling you skin in water.

Annabel

Ohh forgot to add....sunscreen turns into cement on your skin. It binds with oils, dirt and sweat. It is very important to thoroughly cleanse the skin with mild soap and a washcloth or a scrunchy thingy. The buildup of sunscreen on your skin will also cause irritation which leads to the red bumps. When I am on a beach vacation, I take a shower in the afternoon to scrub all the stuff off, then start all over again. I only do this if I am out in the sun all day...the sunscreen gets gross after a while.

Also, for a face sunscreen, I use Murad oil free tinted spf 15. It does not clog pores, and it looks really good on your face. I change this every 2 hours or so by either washing my face or using proactiv face cloths.

All these things work for me...It might sound excessive but if you hve sensitive skin, it's what you gotta do.

seetheworld

My youngest is blonde and blue-eyed and very sensitve to the sun. We use Coppertone Sport (48) because it is non-greasy and long lasting.

In addition to protecting your skin from harmful rays, protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses!