Summer is quickly drawing to a close, but that didn't stop us from discovering some new sunscreens to protect you and your little ones from the harsh rays of the sun. These spray-on sunscreens are quick to put on, cool you down, and allow for non-greasy coverage of skin, which is something that we love. We've been testing some of them out this summer and they worked pretty well. Here are some of the ones available.
Living in a sub-tropical climate can be brutal if you're not used to it. The sun hits hard, hard enough to make you sick (headaches, sunburns) if you're not careful. It gets even worse during the summer months. During a recent trip to a pharmacy, I discovered something that I hadn't come across before. I've been aware of the dangers of the sun, especially since my wife is a redhead, but since I have brown skin, I rarely concerned myself with sunscreen.
The spray-on suncreen we tested was from Neutrogena's line and it was very effective. Application was a cinch, and the mist had the added benefit of actually cooling us down while we sprayed it on. It's non-greasy, so you don't feel sticky after you put it on. It protected us well during the last few months. These sunscreens are usually sweatproof and most come in waterproof versions. Some of the sprays for adults and kids can go up to SPF100+, but SPF30-85+ usually does the trick in most situations. When used diligently, a one of these spray-on sunscreen cans can be quickly used up, so its best to keep a spare.
1. Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids SPF 70+: This is definitely a nice spray-on sunscreen. The one we tried had a light scent to it, so it wasn't fragrance-free. We didn't know its effectiveness, so we applied it per the instructions, and updated it a few hours later (this summer, it's been about 100°F when it didn't rain). It worked very well and we didn't get burned. It can be applied on dry or wet skin.
2. Coppertone Kids Continuous Spray SPF70+: This sunscreen is photostable, and offers broad spectrum protection (most of these sprays offer this). It comes with a vitamin to further enhance the skin's protection.
3. KINeSYS Kids SPF30: This is a microspray, kind of like the Nivea's Kid's Caring Sun Spray and has the added benefit of a non-aerosol can. The Nivea sunscreen is adequate, but not as pleasant as the ones that come in an aerosol can. This also means that the Nivea sunscreen will apply in larger-sized gobs that will need to be rubbed on, instead of a mist. The KINeSYS is a microspray, so it applies in a mist.
4. Huggies Little Swimmers Continuous Spray SPF50: Like the other sprays, this one has a non-rub application and will get into those hard to reach places.
5. Banana Boat Kids Tear-Free Continuous Lotion Spray SPF 50: Just like many of the sprays above, this one is also alcohol-free.
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http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse/sunscreen:+SPF+greater+than+30/
Yeah - those are great but... look at the ingredients! Also they stain the hell out of your whites - as in stained so yellow you have to turn them into rags or dye them another color. Sometimes less convenient is MORE convenient in the long run...
Another problem with the sprays is that the chemicals don't just get into your skin, you and your child inhale them. Double bad. You should be pushing healthy alternatives like covering up and using a mineral-based sunscreen. Such a shame. How about an article about which sunscreens won't poison your child next time?
I'm too paranoid (and far too pale) to use only the spray-on sunscreen. The first application is always the old fashioned lotion that I smear on myself. Might use spray-on for reapplications but I want to make certain every inch is covered the first time.
As far SPF, our dermatologist suggested to me (very pale redhead with very blond son living in NM), that 50 SPF with UVA/UVB protection is all that is needed as long as enough sunscreen is applied the first time and then reapplied every little bit. The SPF 80-100 are just marketing ploys and people will still sunburn with these because they don't reapply.
I agree. I would not use a sunscreen with those chemicals. I have been using a spray this summer...
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=164734&catid=190163&aid=338666&aparam=164734&scinit1=pla&scinit2=%7Bkeyword%7D
For those of you who like the spray on sunscreens (also as a redhead, I'm too paranoid for them) Consumer Reports tested several and found the Target generic Up and Up brand to test the best!
It's not just the nasty chemicals that range from carcinogens to serious hormone disruptors or the inhalation factor. My husband works outside in Southern California nearly every day, and the medic on staff at his job refuses to hand out spray sunscreen (even though it is always requested) because it clogs pores, preventing the skin from being able to cool off the body by sweating and causes heat stroke. There are many chemical-free pump spray sun blocks on the market now.
I thought the Up and Up stuff smelled awful.
You can avoid much of the inhalant issue by spraying into your hand and then rubbing it on your child. Then you also know you didn't miss any spots.
If you're going to spray on your hand and rub on the child, why not just use cream?? I used to use sprays but then I found out they get inhaled AND swallowed. yuck.
Such drama here. I use a physical sunscreen (zinc oxides) inside the house (30' prior would be nice) then have the sprays as a reapplication agent for arms and legs. And wear hats!!!
Are we really so spoiled that we can't rub sunscreen on our kids with our hands? Bring a cloth and some water to wipe your hands off and let your kid roll around in the sand and get covered in it, that's part of the fun of going to the beach.
I agree, spray on sunscreen is genius for small kids. I love the stuff and always keep it in the car. Banana Boat for Babies SPF50 is the best on the market in terms of ease of use. When we use it, we spray it directly on the kids and haven't had real issues with missing spots, etc.
But we really limit its use because the toxicity rating is so high. And I don't think the inhalation issue has been researched at all. We reserve it for times when we are either going to use the spray or go without.
For routine, daily use we use a far less toxic mineral sunscreen as well as hats and SPF50 long sleeve shirts for the pool. Lands End makes SPF shirts that wear well and are fairly priced and frequently on sale.
I find the California Baby face stick very easy with the kids and they find the stick less annoying than rubbing their face with sunscreen. I always do it while they are still strapped in their carseats. ha. We rotate between unscented California Baby, Burts Bees, and Badger for the body. All work about the same and we are used to the ghosty sheen.
Mineral sunscreens are just much safer. Tanned skin just looks like skin damage to me now.
KINeSYS offers a pump-based sunscreen that works pretty well. I don't like it enough to make it our main sunscreen but the risk factor is pretty low.
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/265528/KINeSYS_Kids_Alcohol-Free_Spray_Sunscreen_with_Parsol_1789%2C_Fragrance_Free%2C_SPF_30/
Clearly, mine is a minority opinion, but I love this stuff for re-applying at the pool or beach. It's hard to get a 4 and 1.5 year old to stay still while you try to apply suncreen. Guess I'm spoiled.
Consumer Reports specifically recommends against using any spray sunscreens on children until the recently launched FDA studies on the potential hazards are complete:
http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2011/07/spray-sunscreens-should-not-be-sprayed-on-kids-at-least-for-now.html
All Terrain makes a pump-spray (really more of a squirt lotion) sunscreen that was well-rated in EWG and Safe Mama. The spray application is so much easier on my toddler than cream. I spray several pumps on her arms or legs (not face, I use a clear zinc stick for that) and then rub it around. I'm hoping that the thicker quality of the lotion means it doesn't have the same inhalation risk as the sprays featured above, but that may just be hope against hope. It is greasy but I'm OK with that. It's on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/All-Terrain-KidSport-Natural-Sunscreen/dp/B004TSLDWI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314294187&sr=8-1
And also comes in a more water-resistant formula. And also comes in creams for the more traditional use.
Thanks for pointing out the problems with these spray-on sunscreens. I use the adult version on myself when I go gallivanting out in the Taipei sun, which is still pretty hard, and it works great.
....and there are only about 4 applications in a bottle. Ridiculous product. Needs to go away completely!