Sunblock for the face?

KneeBumps · Post by **KneeBumps** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:35 am

Thought I'd bump a subject from an older thread up to the top here. What are folks using to block sun on the face near the eyes? I use various brands of pump SPF 50 to cover head (bald!), ears, neck, and the stick to cover under the eyes, temples, but if I get that stuff too close above or near the eyes it's sting city, go in and wash it off. Can't seem to get used to the zinc - always wind up with the white smear all over everything.

Just spent a week in the sun in NC, and while the pump spray protected the areas I was able to cover with it, the area above and below my eyes is totally fried. With my history of sun exposure (never wore any block or even sunglasses as a beach lifeguard in the 60's/70's), I need protection!

Anybody using any of the newer zinc oxide formulations? I read about weaker zinc preps that are effective without the white goo? Anybody got any good info/sources?

jimithesaint · Post by **jimithesaint** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:03 am

Kneebumps
I use Aloe gator 40+ gel. Works great for me in the broiling sun(Tropics or summer OBX). My buddy also swears by it (and he has a big ole bucket head w/o much hair and it works for him too).

The gel is thick so it doesn't wash off

It doesn't seem to irritate my eyes too much and mine are very sensitive especially in bright sun

http://www.aloegatorsuncare.com/products.htm

PS hope you got some of that swell last week
Jim

surfhorn · Post by **surfhorn** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:32 am

Been using the 'Aloe Gater spf 40 for Kids' for years. We picked it up for our childdren when they were small and found it worked well. My wife won't use anything else.

And for us members of the Tribe of the Thinning Hair, get used to wearing a neoprene cap when its cold and a sport cap when its hot. Or make the move to a Gath helmet.

I started wearing a hat full time about 5 years ago after I got an ear douche at The Wedge one Labor Day weekend. It took me until mid-November to get my hearing back. And that was serious; I'm a pro musician and couldn't hear anyone else who stood to my right. Hard to play in tune and try and balance with other musicians when you can't hear.

KneeBumps · Post by **KneeBumps** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:26 pm

Thanks, Sounds like the Aloe Gator is the ticket. I'll give it a shot.
JimTS, yup, Hattie was unreel Fri AM, still fun Sat for a while til the Canadian tourons piled in. Timed it perfectly this year!

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:45 pm

Bullfrog Olny thing I use on my ugly bald head.
But will try the aloe gator stuff.
The bullfrog works great when I rember to use it.

This year I started using a cap.
I look like a dork but it works great.

Hats on land as well as staying out of the sun.

john - · Post by **john -** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:18 am

excuse an in the ball park sideways digression!

anybody sporting surfing sunglasses as a regular protection device?

Still seems odd to me that these things have not become almost mandatory in summer for surfers...Im yet to sport them but that might well be due to a lack of choice and discussion...I always...well almost ...wear the gath. I weasr sunnies any other time im outside!

surfhorn · Post by **surfhorn** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:37 am

Excellent point, dorje. Eyes burn just like the rest of one's body. The reflective light off the water's surface really makes it bright when we surf.

When we went ot Baja on extended surf trips, I've used a cheap pair of sunglasses with a keeper while surfing - but not very often. Most likely I would wear a visor, tied around my neck with some string.

After I hit 50 y/o, I've found that my eye sight isn't what it used to be. Now all the surfers bobbing around in the water are getting to be fuzzy blobs. Maybe its time for prescription surf goggles - and have them tinited to cut down the brightness.

KneeBumps · Post by **KneeBumps** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:51 am

dorje,
I've tried sunglasses a few times, but it sure hurts when they get smashed into the bridge of your nose on a big fall! My brother in law wears sunglasses and a hat, seems to spend most of his time lookin for em in the wash...
But, I have been looking a little more seriously lately at ads for tinted prescription swim goggles ...anybody tried them? (I was also thinking of a non-tinted pair for the pool so I can actually see where I'm going, and to check out those cute triathletes I swim with)

DarcyM · Post by **DarcyM** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:03 am

Bumps - if your losing coverage on top as well, why not skip the sunblock ritual altogether and get a Gath helmet with sun visor? You may still need a little sunblock on the face, but the helmet and visor will take care of head, ears and eyes. Plus they're made for surfing and will probably last forever. I know a few surfers around here that wear them all the time not just for collison protection but for sun protection as well. Probably worth the investment if you're prone to skin cancer.

slats · Post by **slats** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 10:15 pm

try putting a bag over your head...

rick mottola · Post by **rick mottola** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:36 am

i use clear zinc oxide on my face in florida. works well.

KneeBumps · Post by **KneeBumps** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:52 am

Rick M Thanks, what's the clear zinc product called and can you find it in drugstores?

rick mottola · Post by **rick mottola** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:40 pm

here ya go. Ocean Potion makes the stuff. i get it from wally-world.

http://www.opotion.com/cart/product_inf ... ucts_id=65

KneeBumps · Post by **KneeBumps** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:57 pm

Xclnt thanks! I'll give it a shot

KneeBumps · Post by **KneeBumps** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 7:12 am

Rick, the ocean potion works great- thanks for the tip. I was in the water and on the beach all day Sat with one application- no burn, and no eye sting. Thanks! BTW CVS carries it here, and a generic with the same ingredients- about the same price.
Doug