What kind of sunscreen do you use?
I’ve been asked this question a few times lately and I thought I’d share the answer here …
None.
That’s right - all summer, we haven’t used sunscreen.
I know your next question - how many burns have you all had?
None.
That’s right - all summer, no sunscreen, no burns.
Yes, I do own sunscreen. After seeing the Environmental Working Group’s Summer 2010 Sunscreen Guide, we bought some Badger SPF 15 sunscreen, but haven’t yet used it.
Want to know my sun rules?
- Out of the sun by 11 AM - short walks are okay (ie. heading home from the park or a friends’ house)
- If outside between 11AM and 4PM, make sure it’s somewhere with plenty of shade - very little sun exposure. Toddlers do NOT understand the concept of “stay in the shade, honey!”
- Outside again after 4PM
- Hats in the sun are a must
That’s it. Seriously. All summer we have played outside before 11 and after 4, making sure we’re in the shade if we’re outside between those hours. It may seem difficult, but I’d rather respect the power of the sun than slather chemicals on me or the kids in order to protect us. And it hasn’t been hard … it’s mostly been the opposite. We’ve been following a daily rhythm with times built in to enjoy outdoor play and indoor play, respecting our bodies’ need to rest when it’s hottest outside - have you ever had any luck with asking a toddler to come sit down it’s too hot to run around? I haven’t! It also means we’re getting sun exposure to give us Vitamin D.
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the summer without sunscreen 
Brandy said,
August 27, 2010 @ 5:04 am
Kim I never realized it but we mostly did the same all summer. Unless I took her to the spray park (pre baby)- I slathered her there. In direct sun between the bad hours.
Nice to see we were following the rules without knowing it
Uncle Dave said,
August 27, 2010 @ 7:03 am
ps. This year has be a low uv year. Less solar flares and storms. Meaning less radiation and less burns.. so don;t toss out that sunscreen yet, our sun is just momentarily on vacation.
Jen said,
August 28, 2010 @ 8:01 am
Great post Kim!
I guess my only concern would be the damage that the sun does, without necessarily burning your skin? Tanned (but not burned) skin is damaged skin. Any change in the color of your skin after time outside—whether sunburn or suntan—indicates damage from UV rays.
I am a faithful sunscreen user as the mother of an extremely fair skinned kid (and quite fair myself)! I have actually been burned few times in my life but already have an actinic keratosis on my cheek and have always followed shade/hat/timing rules for the most part as well. People can spend long hours in the shade while still receiving quite a lot of sun exposure and risking skin damage. This is because UVB rays, often considered the most harmful part of sunlight, can reach the skin indirectly. I agree that these are very important tools to respect what the sun can do to us (we follow them as well!) but personally I can’t toss my sunscreen just yet! If we are outside for more than just a few minutes we have it on.
Dave said,
August 31, 2010 @ 1:32 am
We’re farther south than you (We’re in Kentucky.). Thus, we tend to get a lot more UV here than up in the “Great White North”. :*) Plus, when you’re a farmer (or, at least, pretending to be one on the weekends), you have to be out in the sun (That old saying about “Make hay while the sun shines.” definitely applies.). Thus, the use of lots of sunscreen is mandatory.
The alternative to not using sunscreen here is bad sunburns. And, after having a friend who died from melanoma (which was probably induced by too much UV), and another friend who had part of his ear removed due to melanoma (again which was probably induced by too much UV), I’d definitely rather take my chances with the sunscreen than with the UV.
Dave
Nadine said,
September 4, 2010 @ 7:43 am
I agree with you wholeheartedly Kim. I’ve followed those rules for years too and I find they really work for me. I can tell if I’m starting to get a burn too and will get out of the sun. A long sleeve white shirt and a long skirt with a big floppy hat also help if you can’t stay out of the sun.
Nate’s only got a bit of a tan on his arms and legs. I’m unconcerned about any uv damage - we evolved in the sun and as long as we don’t bake ourselves, the Vitamin D can do a great deal of good. There’s been a bit of research that actually suggests that a lack of Vitamin D is strongly correlated with a higher population incidence of MS the immune systemand possibly other diseases of the immune system as well. In any case a lack of Vitamin D is not good for you.
Donna C said,
September 9, 2010 @ 9:37 am
I follow the same rules as you, except it’s between 12 and 3 that I make the kids come inside. Coincides nicely with nap/quiet time.
We went swimming a lot, but usually around dinner time.
No sunburns here all summer either. I did put sunscreen on them if we were going to be out in the sun all day, like the fair, zoo, camping, etc.
Lisa C said,
September 14, 2010 @ 12:24 pm
We used sunscreen twice all summer (and I have a fair redhead). Once was when we went to a water park, and once was when we were camping. I want my son to get enough vitamin D, which is hard when you live in a more northern area. If I think his face needs protection, I put a wide-brimmed hat on him. I doesn’t make sense to me to put sunscreen on all the time. Makes more sense to get out of the sun when it’s too hot, or to wear clothing as protection.