Heimlich and I have decided to try out a broad spectrum sunscreen -- one that will block both UVA and UVB rays (as opposed to the old sunscreens that block UVB only). A the beginning of the season, we got a tube of Badger 15SPF broad spectrum sunscreen [amazon.com].
Broad spectrum sunscreens are quite a bit different than your father's sunscreen. It definitely has a strong, medicinal smell to it. And it takes much longer to apply (it's more of a paste-like). You have to spend more time and care rubbing it in.
This particular brand seems to separate into a paste and an oil after it has been sitting for a while. So, you have to get them to mix first.
Initially, we were in for quite a surprise: it seemed like you couldn't tan at all with this sunscreen on (not that we are looking to tan). Even with a generous application of our old sunscreens, we would still tan after a few hours in the sun. But with this new stuff, you don't even tan (which is excellent evidence that it is blocking far more than our old stuff used to). But then this weekend, Heimlich got badly sunburnt while using it (and even reapplying it frequently). So, we're still investigating.
As with all sunscreens, it has to be reapplied frequently to really be effective. It appears that we haven't hit upon the optimal usage pattern yet.
Labels: review
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