All:
I am a very fair skinned WI boy and need to wear sunscreen whenever i’m out training (unless its a early or late day session). I am wondering what everyone’s thoughts are for sunscreen. I need something in the 30+ range, but everything I have tends to make me sweat way more than if i didnt wear it. In addition, it tends to get into my eyes especially on the bike where you can’t really wipe it away easily (due to your glasses).
Any advice on brands, types, etc?
SCAPE. Best out there. One application pre swim in an Ironman and zero burn all day.
+1 on Scape… However it has disappeared cannot find it anywhere!
I love the spray-on SPF 50+ banana boat sunscreen. I don’t even tan when I’m out for hours in Colorado.
Jodi
Just started using Mission. I love it. It is fantastic and more breathable than my prior brand: http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11882395&cp=3598609&parentPage=family
My prior brand, which is also good, but, not quite as breathable, is Coppertone Sport continuous spray (up to 100 spf): http://www.coppertone.com/coppertone/products/Sport/index.jspa#Sport-CoppertoneSPORTContinuousSpraySPF100Plus
I like the Neutrogena sport 100+ face and spray combo. Sweat and water proof. Very nice. No breakouts.
Try the Banana Boat Baby Spray. It is tear free. Stays on even after the swim. Doesn’t sting your eyes when you sweat.
I’ve been using the banana boat 50SPF sport spray. I find it works well enough for preventing a burn, but it isn’t breathable and runs (and burns!).
I haven’t heard of some of the brands you mentioned. I was just looking at the coppertone tonight, but wanted the experts opinions before I just wanted $7 on something I didnt like.
neutrogena spray 50 or 75spf. No burn even after hours running or cycling.
+1 on Scape… However it has disappeared cannot find it anywhere!
btw, based on the recommendation i looked online and it looks like it isn’t sold in many places however REI is the most common retailer. I think I may try some of this since its sunscreen designed for athletes. Heck…they even have Ironmen in their ads!
I use Coppertone Ultra Sweatproof 100+.It’s thick/tacky stuff. It lasted my whole IM with one pre-race application and I didn’t get burned. It was a non-wetsuit IM and I’m not sure if peeling one off will take the sunscreen off or not.
+1 on Scape… However it has disappeared cannot find it anywhere!
btw, based on the recommendation i looked online and it looks like it isn’t sold in many places however REI is the most common retailer. I think I may try some of this since its sunscreen designed for athletes. Heck…they even have Ironmen in their ads!
It was in the Boulder REI as recently as February…no longer on their shelves…in fact, just went to REI website and it’s not there.
I was going to ask the same question as the OP and wanted to know if anyone out there has used any natural sunscreens like this: http://www.kabanaskincare.com/
Selling for $30 at Whole Foods - but someone who has had a melanoma scare, I’m looking for the BEST - and one that won’t give me cancer because of what’s in it.
Check out Watermans - watermansappliedscience.com/
It’s a great outdoor sunscreen / sunblock. Many athletes use it, especially the surfer dudes. Good ingredients also. Badger is a good sunscreen / sunblock but a bit thick.
And last but not least, here’s an independent report of sunscreens and their ingredients including the best and worst of sunscreens (“Hall of Shame”) found at EWG (Environmental Working Group) - http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/
This should have you “covered” for the summer !!
Cheers !
Darkhorsetri check out - I think this may be what you’re looking for:
And last but not least, here’s an independent report of sunscreens and their ingredients including the best and worst of sunscreens (“Hall of Shame”) found at EWG (Environmental Working Group) - http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/
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I was going to ask the same question as the OP and wanted to know if anyone out there has used any natural sunscreens like this: http://www.kabanaskincare.com/
Selling for $30 at Whole Foods - but someone who has had a melanoma scare, I’m looking for the BEST - and one that won’t give me cancer because of what’s in it.
Definitely look at the Environmental Working Group website referenced above. Not only do they review the safety of the ingredients, but they rate (separately) the UVA and UVB protection of each sunscreen. Click on the “Best Beach and Sports Sunscreen” link under Best Sunscreens.
Scape was formulated by one of the guys who formulated Neutrogena, so Neutrogena is pretty similar.
Thinksport makes a great sunscreen. Sorry, didn’t mean to turn this into a LA thread 
But really, it is great sunscreen.
Some of the sunscreens recommended are very bad for you. Yes, the sun is too when you are out in it that long but really take a look at the stuff that goes in your sunscreen. This is a helpful website for determining how good/bad the ingredients are:
http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/
If you have kids then PLEASE look up your sunscreens and make sure they are safe for them especially. At least as safe as can be determined based on current science.
To answer the question we usually use Badger. REI used to carry it and I think they still do. It goes on relatively thick but stays on. Yes, it is expensive but what the heck isn’t that is any good.
No-Ad Sport 50…hands down. For the money and protection it’s a win, win.