Day 148
I may have cancer and I may be (mostly) bald, but I have my little Cuppy baby and her equally adorable (but too heavy to pick up) brother Snowball.
As promised, I’m back. Today was spent researching sunblock. Now that I have skin cancer and am going through radiation treatments I have to be even more careful in the sun. I researched a little on the web and found that the Skin Cancer Foundation gives its seal of recommendation to a few products. To get their seal of recommendation they products must … (quoted directly from their site)
• A sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher
• Validation of SPF number by testing on 20 subjects
• Substantiation for any claims that a sunscreen is water- or sweat-resistant
• Acceptable results for phototoxic reactions and contact irritancy testing on 20 subjects
• A sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher • Validation of SPF number by testing on 20 subjects • Substantiation for any claims that a sunscreen is water- or sweat-resistant • Acceptable results for phototoxic reactions and contact irritancy testing on 20 subjects
They endorse recommend products by Avon, Colorescience, MD SolarSciences, PCA Skin, and Shiseido with their Active Seal. They define Active as … (quoted directly from their site)
“Active” products should protect the wearer from extended sun exposure, such as exposure received outdoors during recreational activities. Examples might include high SPF products, sport sunscreens, zinc oxide/titanium dioxide sticks, and baby products.
To be awarded the “Active” Seal products must meet these criteria:
- UVB protection: A sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Validation of the SPF number by testing on 20 human subjects.
- UVA Protection: A critical wavelength of 370 or Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD) of 10, as tested on 10 human subjects.
- Acceptable results for phototoxic reactions and contact irritancy testing on 20 human subjects.
- Proof of photostability.
- Proof of water resistance.
Sounds good. Right? Sure. However, the recommended products are super expensive.
Avon
Anew Solar Advance Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 30 $34
Anew Solar Advance Lip Sunscreen SPF 30
Anew Solar Advance Eye Sunscreen SPF 30
(I couldn’t find the lip or eye sunscreen on Avon’s website)
Colorescience
Sunforgettable SPF 30 Powder $50
MD SolarSciences
Mineral Screen Gel SPF 30+ Sensitive Skin $29.50
Mineral Screen Lotion SPF 40 $36
PCA SKIN
Active very water/sweat resistant SPF 45
(has to be purchased from a clinical practice)
Shiseido
Shiseido Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream N SPF 38 $32-$34 at Sephora
I asked on Twitter what sunblock people recommended and my husband’s friend, who surfs and another Tweeter, who I’m pretty sure doesn’t surf recommended Bullfrog. I looked it up online and one is an SPF 30, which includes insect repellant (mosquitos love me) and the other is an SPF 50 mist. I’m thinking about buying the SPF 30 with the insect repellant for my body and perhaps purchasing one of the MD SolarSciences products for my face. While I was at Target today I picked up Neutrogena’s SPF 60 for sensitive skin for my face. It contains the same active ingredients as the MD SolarSciences (Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide) and it cost less than $10. However, I was reading the info on some of the sunblocks Surfer Dude recommended and in one FAQ I learned something that I did not know before purchasing the Neutrogena sunblock.
According to Headhunter Surfscreen’s FAQ the FDA does not recognize the term waterproof. (quoted directly from their site)
What is the Difference between “Water Resistant,” “Very Water-Resistant,” and “Waterproof”? A lot. The FDA recognizes the terms “water resistant” and “very water resistant.” It does not recognize the term “waterproof.” If a sunscreen says “waterproof” it’s just marketing hype from the maker himself.
I don’t actually plan to be in the water but I’m wondering if water-resistant also means sweat-resistant. I plan on buying a hat in addition to good sunscreen so I’m hoping the Neutrogena SPF 60 plus a big floppy hat will protect my face and poor radiated head.
Thus concludes our class on sunblock. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment. I love you all.
Love,
~ me ~
With Lupus I have to have a good sunblock myself between most of my meds making me super sensitive to sunlight and the lupus itself I totally Understand. The best one I could find for a reasonable price is the one you bought the neutrogena. It has worked well for me so far I hope you find it helps you as well.
Love and Hugs,
Joy
Joy, how do you handle the ickiness of the feeling of the Neutrogena on your face? I was miserable all day with it on my face.
just an fyi from someone with extremely sensitive skin (on my face) I buy a formula designed for babies (Baby Faces, by Hawaiian Tropic being a fav) Otherwise, I get more skin damage from the irritations and breakout than I ever would from being in the sun.
They come in spf 50 and higher, but I don’t know where they fall within the other guidelines
Angel, that Neutrogena crap I bought was awful. I felt like the Joker (Heath Ledger’s portrayal) in the Batman movie. It was heavy, thick, pancake makeupy. I spent most of the day thinking I wish I could go home and wash my face.
Running to my purse to see which one i have thinking mine is not same as yours as it is light to put on and not heavy at all I am using: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 100+ with Helioplex, I love it none of what you described and light when you put it on. I hope you see this post I had not had a chance to come back here to repost till today. Oh ya it says waterproof on it but we know it really probably isn’t after your research lol but I still like it. ;)
Hugs,
Joy
Thanks Joy :-) I’m going to as my Oncologist when I see her on Friday.
you will have to let me know what she says about it or what you end up using i love summer but the summer sun she don’t love me lol so if you find something really good and affordable from your visit to the doc let me know :)
Big Big Hugs!
Love ya,
Joy
I asked her what she recommended and lo and behold it’s the Neutrogena. Ugh, with a side of ugh. Oh and positively NO SUN w/o a hat. I need to go buy a hat.