Fair skined Brides out there!!

Help!!

Ok, I'm 25yrs old and I absolutely give up on tanning..I always burn, dont really 'tan'. If I dont put sunscreen on every 1/2 hr forget it..i'm a tomato! but I'm ok with it, I'll love my skin as I age. However- what to do when I go to Mexico?? anyone know of a really good sunblock? I went to Jamaica a few years ago- put sunscreen on ALL the time , and I got sun poisoning (bubbles all over), but not an actual sunburn. Frustrating

I'm just looking for anyone who has had good experience with a sunscreen in a tropical area, or any self tanners?

I want to enjoy my the two weeks I'm in mexico, not be in pain from the sun

I went tanning first but I used Neutrogena SPF 80 - Spray on and i seriously resprayed myself every hour. I think that's why I didn't get burnt at all.

We took everyone's leftover sunscreen as they left because we needed so much of it.

You really need to be vigilant with reapplying - my husband got so burnt the first day there that he was peeling and itchy by midweek.

I'm not sure that the 80 was any better than the 45 that I switched to mid-week - as long as you keep applying and get in the shade if you feel the "burn" you should be ok.

Good Luck!

I have lived in the Caribbean for 15 years, and my youngest daughter is red headed with british white skin. My kids (6 and 9) have NEVER been sunburned despite living here year round and my pediatrician and dermatologist back in the US always rave about the "lack" of sun exposure on their skin. (although my littlest has managed to get a mess of freckles on her face)

First off I am a firm believer in long sleeve sun shirts/rash guards for intense sun hours (10-4). I love land's end for their kids and women's sun shirts (we have loads of them...lots of colors and very high quality! Best around.

For Sunscreen, the best for my youngest hands down is an Austrailian creme (can be bought in the US) called Blue Lizard. It's a micronized Zinc Oxide. It's the White stuff of years past except it has been developed to go sheer once rubbed in. UVA and UVB protective and is a barrier creme (it doesn't get absorbed in skin)vs most sunscreens which are absorbed (it's great and safe for babies and children). It's waterproof etc. I was out on Sunday in full sun from 8-2pm in high intense sun (I am fair and blonde) and am not burned in the least.

The other creme I have had success with (but I find I have to be more diligent with reapplying for myself) is Neutregena with helioplex recommended as well by a dermatologist. The creme is a bit lighter weight and I like that for me if we're going out and about as it's not as heavy, but for water/swim/kayaking/hard core beach time, I go with the blue lizard. Kids don't get a choice, blue lizard it is.

I additionally buy (you can usually find in supermarket/drugstore) RIT clothing SPF enhance. RIT makes clothing dye you throw into your wash. A while back they created this SPF that you add to your wash of clothes and it adds SPF protection to your clothes up to 40 washes.

Hope that helps, I would pick up some of both and see which you like. Remember you need to use a shot glass full of sunscreen per application (I go through a bottle at least for my girls per week if we're out and about). And reapplying is really important!!!

Krys

Oh yeah, my dermatologist said that above 40 SPF there isn't any difference. Blue lizard comes in 25 spf and is great for us (we didn't reapply on Sunday with the kids, they were fine)

Krys

The key to sunblock is to REAPPLY OFTEN! I am really fair, and when I go out in the sun, I try to reapply ever hour or so. I usually get SPF 40 or 50.

As far as sunless tanners, I'm using Dove Energy Glow right now, and it looks great. I've had several compliments recently about how great I look since I've "been in the sun." It builds up slowly, so you won't look orange. It should look make you look naturally sunkissed.

Great thread!! Thanks for asking!

Great answers ladies I appreciate the suggestions- I think I will swallow the costs and go with a nice Neutrogena. Here's to a summer of testing sunscreens/self taners!

I am the same as you, and I've had amazing luck with the Neutragena spray SPF45. It's SO easy to re-apply because you just spray it and it takes 2 seconds (plus there is a cooling version that actually cools your skin down). The only downside is that I run out of it pretty quick considering how expensive it is. But for your wedding, it's worth the cost!

Does the Dove self tanner have that "smell" that self tanners tend to have? I have used a couple of different types but can't stand the smell of myself, haha.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnh1983 The key to sunblock is to REAPPLY OFTEN! I am really fair, and when I go out in the sun, I try to reapply ever hour or so. I usually get SPF 40 or 50.   As far as sunless tanners, I'm using Dove Energy Glow right now, and it looks great. I've had several compliments recently about how great I look since I've "been in the sun." It builds up slowly, so you won't look orange. It should look make you look naturally sunkissed.

This is a great thread! I'm a redhead so tanning for me will never happen, but I may try the Dove Energy Glow - thanks mnh! As for sunscreens and sunblocks, ingredients and reapplication are the most important. Like Tropical Imaging said, Zinc Oxide is a sun "block," so it doesn't absorb into the skin. The same is true for titanium dioxide. Keep in mind, most sun "screens" need to be absorbed into the skin before they will work, so you need to apply about 20 minutes before going into the sun.

In the past, I have used Banana Boat for kids, but I may try to look for Blue Lizard. Thanks for the tip!