kids' sunscreen recommendations?

I've got a super-pale redhead with very sensitive skin. I try to keep
him covered up as much as possible and I slather sunscreen on him, but
the one I'm using (Banana Boat Kids' tear-free SPF 50) seems to be less
than effective -- as in, he pinks up almost immediately, even after a
thick coating. DH read somewhere that all sunscreens are not created
equal; does anyone have a brand they like? Thanks!!

Barbara...

Some important sunscreen rules:

(1) Sunscreen is NOT immediately effective. You need to apply about
20 minutes before you go out into the sun. I've read that you should
the RE-apply 20 minutes after you're in the sun, but we've never done
that. (If you're using a physical barrier product, you don't need the

bizby40...

Well, I use Banana Boat Kids 30 on my ghost-white son, and have never
had him burn while wearing it ever. I guess that recommendation
doesn't help you though. :-)

20 minutes.) I've seen families put the sunscreen on when they get to
the pool, then wonder why they burn. Well, that's why!

(2) Make sure you're using enough sunscreen. Most people don't.

(3) SPF refers to how much extra time you get before burning. If your
son would burn in 1 minute without sunscreen, SPF 50, applied
correctly, gets him 50 minutes. That's it.

As to brands, I've never heard that any one was more effective than the
other, assuming similar ingredients. We're a Coppertone Sport family,
mostly because One tolerates the texture and scent of it best. Maybe
you could try a different formulation (eg, one with titanium dioxide or
zinc oxide, if its not in what you're using.)

JennP...

Good old Coppertone Waterbabies. I've never had either of my kids burn using
it.

Nikki...

The kinds with zinc oxide work pretty good. My fair skinned boy doesn't
like it much because it takes a long time to soak in. I will rub him down
1/2 before we leave and that helps and I always make him wear it if we are
going to be out a long time. If it is shorter time I use the SPF 50 kids
stuff but it doesn't have the zinc oxide so it soaks in.

Em
mama to Micah, 11/14/04

athena...

My fair skinned boy and I both use Banana Boat kids, SPF 30 (and put it
on more often. IIRC, more than SPF 15 is just more chemicals, it
doesn't actually protect longer). He is prone to eczema and BB is one
of the very few creams that doesn't give him a rash. We just bought
Blue Lizard (I think!) from Australia that the pediatrician
recommended, but I haven't tested it for rashes yet on him; it worked
well for me. I don't like the sprays- I don't think it gives enough
coverage.

Take care,
Lisa

cara...

Coppertone Water Babies SPF 45, hands down. We live in an are where we
have to use sunscreen year round, so I've tried most of them. Apply
very generously and every 2 hours especially when playing in the water.

L....

Bullfrog. I think they even have a kids' version.