Do you use spray sunscreen? I totally see why you would, that stuff is convenient when you are trying to insulate a wiggly little one from the almighty sunburn. Turns out, though, that the stuff might do more harm than good {seriously, isn’t everything that is meant to be more convenient always worse for us in the long run? Why does it have to be that way?}.
According to an article on treehugger.com, spray sunscreens might be the worse culprits when it comes to chemicals that we probably don’t want on our bodies. While the chemicals are in both sprays and lotions, the sprays, “pose a great threat…because there’s the potential to inhale these chemicals.” Great. All I can think is now we have to choose, skin cancer or some other cancer as a result of inhaling chemicals?
The FDA has apparently been conducting their own study as to whether spray sunscreen benefits outweigh the potential harm, but no word back on that yet. In addition, the FDA has received reports of people catching on fire because they sprayed the sunscreen {it’s in an aerosol can, so it is flammable} too close to a BBQ or open flame {think campfires}. Yikes. Moral of the story: don’t do that.
So, do you use spray sunscreen? Or do you try to avoid it?
~Mavis
P.S. The article also cited the Environmental Working Groups’ list of the top 11 worst offenders. Here’s the list, in case you’re curious. Oh, and P.P.S. If your sunscreen isn’t on here, but you want to know how it stacks up, you can check out its safety rating on the Environmental Working Groups’ website, Skin Deep.
Here’s their list of shame:
- 1. Banana Boat Clear UltraMist Ultra Defense MAX Skin Protect Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 110
- 2. Coppertone Sport High Performance AccuSpray Sunscreen, SPF 70
- 3. Coppertone Sport High Performance Clear Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100+
- 4. CVS Clear Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100
- 5. CVS Sheer Mist Spray Sunscreen, SPF 70
- 6. CVS Sport Clear Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100+
- 7. CVS Wet & Dry Sunscreen Spray, SPF 85
- 8. Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Sunscreen Body Mist, SPF 70
- 9. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100+
- 10. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70
- 11. Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunscreen Spray, SPF 85+
Brandie says
Nope. That junk does not work. I have a house full of gingers and the few times we tried it we were burnt!
Lana says
Would not touch the stuff or most commercial sunscreens because of all the chemicals. The problem is that when you go to where others are spraying is around and end up breathing it because the air is full of it which I suspect is even worse.
Jennifer says
Don’t go out huge numbers of times that sunscreen is needed, but love the convenience and feel of spray on & as we typically apply outside and just on legs & arms, not really worried. It has always worked for us, even on my very fair grandson. We use a combo of powder mineral and liquid on faces & necks. Also noticed all the worst offenders were very high SPF’s. Once you get over 50 you’re not gaining anything according to our derm.
Miriam says
Yes, I do. I work with two mentally handicapped individuals and they hate the thick feeling of sun screen on their skin, but they will hold their breath and get sprayed down in a few seconds. The stuff works well for them with their pale, easily-burned skin, though I can’t remember what brand we use.
Crystal Rose says
I tried it when we were camping. It didn’t work out too well. It ended up going on unevenly so I had a streaky burn. Some spots were very burned, others not at all. Now I get to spend the summer with a splotchy tan. Never again.
Crystal says
I use and highly recommend Badger sunscreen. I ended up breaking out in hives at the beginning of last summer after I applied sunscreen for the first time that year. And then broke out in hives with the next three types of popular sunscreen, all from different companies with different formulas. I ended up trying Badger because it has a short list of ingredients and is missing many of the chemicals found in most sunscreens. And it not only works as sunscreen, it doesn’t make me break out in hives. So I have no idea what I’m allergic to, but it isn’t in this stuff! I have both the regular stuff they make and the stick version, which is easier to apply to the face.
Mavis Butterfield says
I LOVE Badger products!!! Great tip. Thanks Crystal.
Crystal says
They really are the best! I like being able to read and pronounce all of the ingredients. And the not breaking out in hives really helps me love them too!
Tammy says
Two summers ago my then-4-year-old daughter was inside playing while I was outside working. My husband was inside BUT she took advantage of a minute or two and emptied the entire bottle of spray sunscreen all over the bathroom. It was totally impossible to get off some of the surfaces she sprayed it on and my husband said, “That’s what we’re putting on our bodies????” So, no, we do not use spray sunscreen!
Leslie says
Ugh- my old employer provided sunscreen and bug repellent for days we worked into the field. I kept notice my nail polish was sticky. Then I noticed my plastic pencil was sticky. Turns out the bug repellent was melting both the nail polish and the pencils! :-O
Kirsten G. says
I’ve tried it and found that didn’t work that great. If there’s the slightest bit of a breeze, it just blows away even if you’re really careful.
Alison R says
We use Bullfrog brand spray but like any spray product (lotion, insect repellant, sunscreen) we rub the product in for an even coating. Have had great results with this brand.
Marcia says
Yep we use it all the time. I should buy stock in Coppertone.
Vy says
I use Badger or the Honest stuff, all natural and non-toxic, and as a bonus it makes my skin super soft. Also beware the mosquito repellent, I use the Honest stuff for that, too.
Amy says
I heard a radio report (NPR, I think) about the spray sunscreen triggering asthma attacks. Yikes. I have had so-so luck with the spray stuff. I usually use Neutrogena sunscreen lotion for the face (75 SPF), but I happened to find Aveeno Active Naturals SPF 50 lotion & I like it a lot. I use it on face, neck, & body. Goes on smoothly & isn’t sticky. I found it in TJ Maxx and even though Rite Aide & Walgreens sell other Aveeno products, I haven’t found the the sunscreen lotion at either place. I will have to look for the Badger product recommended by Chrystal. I’ve never heard of the Honest brand. Thanks for the info!
Jen Y says
I used to send the spray on sunscreen to camp with my son. He got a third degree sunburn when he was 8 at camp because the counselor didn’t make sure he wore sunscreen. It was so bad they made him stay in his cabin.
It was a good lesson & he’s been pretty responsible to wear it since then, at what cost we’ll see. I’ve always read severe sunburns as a child means skin cancer as we age.
We’re both VERY white & burn very easily. We constantly have to reapply. We wear hats, stay out of the midday sun as much as possible, ect.
I pretty much never use the spray because it’s so expensive. Even when I do, I spray a little on my hand & spread it on so I guess I wouldn’t really inhale it that way.
Ashley says
I use the Target brand stuff and my kids are not only still alive, but they are also not burnt to a crisp (after daily hour long walks, pontoon trips and camping weekends). I love spray on stuff because my kids can’t hold still for more than 2 seconds. I just make sure to put my hand over their mouth/nose when spraying, and spray it into my hand to rub it on their face. 2 of my kiddos are practically see-thru…so I’ve been very pleased with the Target stuff.
Talaena says
I agree! I personally prefer to NEVER use any sun screen, especially the big brand name ones. However, I do have really fair skin and have occasionally used it on my face, neck and shoulders but I use a more natural mineral based one that I can also pronounce all the ingredients on. I have a 2 year old as well and in the beginning of the summer I did use the mineral based products a couple times but now I just limit his sun exposure or cover him up.
My husband got burned a bit this summer working in the yard and we used a natural burn cream called Wounderful that I got from Fir Meadow Farms online store based in OR. (No she did not pay me to say that.) I just absolutely love the product and would recommend it to EVERYONE, it has so many uses.
Mavis says
Any cream called “wonderful” has great potential, I say! I’ll have to look into that and have some on hand just in case.
Tisha says
We use the spray. The creams would cause DH to break into a rash but not the sprays. As we live in the southwest and at a high altitude, the sun is also more intense than other areas of the country, so going without is out of the question.
Susannah says
No way! I’ve always shied away from the chemical sunscreens, even as a teenager. (Yes, I was one of the few kids in the ’80s who wasn’t working on my tan over the summer!) For years I used Clinique’s physical sunblock for the face until they changed the formula. I’ve tried Alba Botanica and Badger in the past; right now, I’m using Mineral Fusion Mineral Moisturizer SPF 40, which I really like. It doesn’t mention anything about being nano-particle-free, however, so when my supply is gone, I’ll start researching again to see if there’s an even better one out there that works with my extremely sensitive skin. A good place to compare the various brands (and their safety) is The Environmental Working Group’s website, which is mentioned in the Treehugger article.
Block Island Organics says
Nope. They are hard to put on evenly, often lost to the wind and inhaling them is not a good idea. Lotions / creams are the way to go.
Julie says
I use it only for the top of my back, the area that I can’t really reach with my hand (or where I have big chances to forget spots and get a sunburn), but that’s it, I use regular sunscreen for the rest of my body