leaving main street – the sequel

I’m pretty pale.  Like it took me 3.5 months of living in the Caribbean to get tan lines.  I have the ability to can get a tan, I just choose to stay pretty clear of it when I have a choice.  We came from a very cloudy climate, so moving to 365 days of sun, we had to get savvy about sun protection really quick.  With all the information out there on harmful chemicals in sunscreens, I try to stick with the mineral versions.  Here is a short list with links of what we like and what we use daily and at the beach.

For the Kids:

Bare Republic Mineral SPF50 Sunscreen Stick:  – This one is so compact and easy to pack in my purse for on-the-go touch ups, goes on white so I know where it’s been applied and easy to rub in to wiggly faces.

Alba Botanica Tropical Fruit, Kids Spray Sunscreen SPF 40 – Easy to apply and rubs in clear.  I like the non-aerosol pump.  I also use the clear spray when we are out on the beach and already sandy.  Much easier to re-apply a spray then rub-in a cream to sandy skin.

For Me:

Face:

Before Make-Up: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, 1.7 oz  My dermatologist recommended this to me for sensitive skin types, I use it on my face and neck before I apply make-up.  It’s light and stays smooth under make-up.

After Make-Up:  Colorescience Sunforgettable Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Brush  This is great for touch ups on my face throughout the day after I put on make-up.  It’s light coverage and goes on like touch-up powder.

Body: Alba Botanica Soothing Sunscreen, Pure Lavender SPF 45, 4oz– When I don’t use the kids alba pump, I like this version, smells amazing and goes on nice and smooth.

So that pretty much covers what we have been using for the past year or so, and (knock on wood) we have had no major sunburns.  Lots of funky tan lines, but now putting on sunscreen is just part of our daily routine.