In summer, I put on Aveeno SPF 15 body lotion (comes in a pump) right out of the shower. Later, when I’m actually in the sun, I use Aveeno SPF 30 or Neutragena Dry Touch on the places that are most exposed. I’m very fair - blue eyes, blonde hair, and haven’t had a sunburn in many years. I like the “base coat” of the Aveeno SFP 15 - it’s really a moisturizer, so doesn’t have the smell and stickiness of sunscreen. Layering and reapplying are the most important thing to do to avoid a burn.
Sprays create a cloud of droplets which could be very bad for the lungs, so if you are going to use sunblock every day, it is best to use a non-spray sunblock.
sorry, nevermind.
I really like the Aveeno body lotion that gourmet mom referenced above. it’s not sticky or greasy, great for wearing all the time.
BB- I never thought of that. When I go biking outdoors, I use a spray sunscreen (Neutrogena) on my body. But I also apply it outdoors.
Romani - I bought a “natural” sunscreen at Costco last year that has no PABA. It was horribly heavy and I returned it. I mean, those people on the “skin drier than the Atacama” thread would think it was too heavy! Costco being Costco, they accepted the return. I’m not sure if all the PABA-free sunscreens are like that or not.
Years ago when spray sunscreens first came out, I ruined a pair of sunglasses - it was breezy and the spray blew back in my face and etched the plastic lenses - probably the alcohol and propellants. Made me realize that it’s nasty stuff.
Our EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 arrived (ordered from Amazon). My daughter and I have been using it for about a week now and both like it. I worried after reading post #16 but so far neither my daughter or I have had any problems. She has acne prone skin; I don’t. I worried that perhaps I needed something more moisturizing. However, I have large pores on my nose and some brown spotting on one cheek and read that this moisturizer/sunscreen helps with both. We’ll see. So far, so good though.
Thanks.
So far so good with the Olay. The CeraVe is a little bit more oily than I would like but my skin hasn’t rejected it so that’s good.
^^ I just started with the Olay too. So far it seems light and comfortable. Let’s see how it works out.
Be sure to check out the EWG (Environmental Working Group’s) website to see if the sunscreen you’re buying is rated high for developmental and reproductive toxicity and cancer.
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/595138/CeraVe_Suncare_Sunscreen_Face,_SPF_50/
Wow. The EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is rated at 3 which is pretty good. I can live with that. Now I need to look up some other choices I considered.
Just got back from Cancu, Mexico. I bought the sensitive skin Oley 15 SPF because of this thread. It was cheap, $8.99 I believe. I used other 30 SPF on the rest of my body.
The sun was strong and I applied sun screen often. The only place I got a burn was the top of my right foot where I obviously missed. And it was a day walking in and out of shade other than a beach. But it was a strong burn on a very small strip of my upper foot. It made me realize how bad it would have been for any/all parts of my body would have burned if I had not applied sun screen.
The SPF 15 Oley worked as well as the SPF 30 stuff I used on the other part of my body.
The SPF isn’t really to protect me from getting burned, it’s because the sun triggers my Lupus symptoms… so 30 is the absolute minimum 
Thanks for the link, Susan.
Physical barriers, like rash guards with SPF protection and hats will always provide superior protection to sunscreen, according to my dermatologist.
My lived one with lupus wears long-sleeved polyester, long pants and hats a lot to minimize sun exposure and lupus flares.
Of course, be mindful of reflected radiation as well, off ocean, sand, water, glass, etc.
I prefer to just live like a vampire and avoid the sun 
But in all seriousness, yes I do wear protective clothing and I will be working on the hat thing. I’ve always been bad about hats but I’ll get better.
You could carry a parasol like in the old days.
Something I appreciate about Asia is using an umbrella to keep off the sun. Here, I’d feel like a raving lunatic. In Bangkok, with Asian family, my stepmom and I share an umbrella to shade us both.
Here, I do live like a vampire, walk and garden at dusk and dawn.
As mentioned above, spend money on good hats that really stay on the head and are comfortable.
There are some especially good sun reflective umbrellas which are very popular in HI. Some are golf style huge while others are small folding models.
At an accepted students event for parents an hour long talk was given outside of a historic building in full summer sun about 30 feet away from a large tree with enough shade to cover the entire group. The shade was too far away to stand in and still hear the presentation. Halfway through I remembered that I had an umbrella in my purse and moved to the back of the group and opened it. Several parents looked at me in envy and several more did the same thing. Speaker still didn’t have a clue. If she had ever paused for questions I would have suggested moving to the shade. It was a very interesting talk though.