Dwagenheim

What works for you guys? I hate burning my eyes out with lotion when I start sweating.

What lotion works best to protect you from the evil sun?


Dave

velocipedio

Wear sunglasses and don't put any sunscreen above your eyes. That solves the problem. I use SPF 45 in the summer, and I wish we could get the Coppertone Sport [the blue container] in 45 in my neighbourhood, but I can't, so I use the regular Coppertone SPF 45 [white container]. I still get a tan, though... whatever that means.

ljbike

Paceline makes a product that's available in some Bike Shops called "Ironman Triathlon" SPF 44. supposed to last 8 hours even in water. (These are the same guys who make "Chamois Butter.) I have friends in California who swear by it. But here in Maine, we haven't seen enough sun to worry about burning. I'm sure that will change and will start using it then.

RonH

I use Coppertone Sport Sweatproof Dry Lotion, SPF 45. I also have a visor on my helmet to shield my forehead and eyes from the sun. And Smith sunglasses help too.

When the weather is really warm, I wear a bandana under my helmet to limit the amount of sweat that runs into my eyes.

Allister

I live in Queensland, the skin cancer capital of the world, and... um... I don't wear any sunscreen when I'm riding. [see my status line]

RegularGuy

Silly me! I read your signature line.

wabbit

Allister, that's just really risky!

As for me, I use Coppertone or Neutrogena, SPF 45. They aren't greasy and have no smell. Hawaiian tropic is effective but very greasy, although that's good if you like to moisturize!

However, I don't like to use those on my face. For that I use Biotherm sun block or Vichy. They are both hypoallergenic and non greasy so they don't make me get zits, and are good for sensitive skin.

cycletourist

This very issue has me considering trading my helmet for a wide brim hat. But so far I haven't done it because I can't decide which I'm more afraid of.... skin cancer or head injury.

Joe Gardner

Bob, get a cycling cap, they fit just fine under a helmet. As for sunscreen, i use a Copertone bronze (brown bottle) with a SPF of just 8. Its a very low SPF, but i use the stuff almost every day. I have yet to have sunburn.

RiPHRaPH

definitely the coppertone sport. but for the forehead i use a chapstick w/ SPF. i've even used the snap on plastic 'brim' that came with my model helmet.
or maybe i can kick it old school and wear a mullet hairdo.

the best sun protection for me is to ride at 6am and finish by 10.

Roughstuff

I don't worry about my skin as it is protected by my helmet. But on my world tour i did net a lesion on my lips which had to be surgically removed when i got to Santiago, Chile. Mucus membranes are more sensitive to sunlight, so watch out on your trip south.

roughstuff

martin

I use Block Up Plus Dry Sport by Fruit of the Earth. I use the SPF 30, but, I believe they also make SPF 45 or something close to it. This stuff is pretty good and is water/sweat resistant. I have used it for a few months now and am pretty happy with it.

Performance or Nashbar included some samplers of the Coppertone Sport spf 30 sunscreen. I haven't used it yet, but plan on keeping one in my pocket when I start riding in the mid day sun for more than a couple of hours.

LittleBigMan

Jack Benny of cycling that I am, I use something called, "No Ad."
(Meaning it's Not Advertised anywhere.) It doesn't wash off easily and the SPF 30 never lets me burn.

It costs about $7.00 for a 16 oz. bottle.

b_rider

I like the NO-AD SPF 30 sun block for my arms, and legs.

For my face and neck I use a product called Face Stick SPF 30 sun block, it is made by Chap Stick & looks like a big chap stick. You apply it to your face and neck, and even if you sweat it does not run into your eyes.

If I am out on a long ride, more then 4 hours, I carry the Face Stick with me as well as Coppertone SPF 30 no rub spray sun block. All you do is spray it on and go. I put some in a smaller spray bottle to carry with me on the bike.

LittleBigMan

Dang.

Both products sound great: a non-runny sunblock and a spray-on for a quicky!

hunterseeker

I've found that a lot of the so-called "sweatproof"/sport sunblocks still tend to run into my eyes when I sweat -- not good when you're riding or doing other sports. For the past few years, however, I've had really good results with a sunblock stick put out by Neutrogena

(Neutrogena Healthy Defense Sunblock Stick; spf 30)

it's sort of like a chapstick in that it's a waxy solid stick. I imagine chapstick might work okay, too, but the applicator for this is bigger. I haven't noticed a problem with blemishes with this stuff, although it *is* decidedly greasy. Still, it's the only thing I've found thus far that hasn't irritated my eyes even when I've been dripping with sweat. I sometimes apply this stuff pretty close to my eyes, too, and haven't had a problem.

I've tried a similar product (from Banana Boat, I think) that was a sunblock stick for kids, but I found I got a bad taste in my mouth when I used it (which means, I guess, it tastes bad, and it runs a bit).

The stick format is also nice 'cause it's easy to keep around (no sunscreen squirty mishaps).

I'm not really particular about the sunscreen I use for the rest of me -- I tend to choose a kind that's intended to be sweatproof/waterproof.

-Cathy

Dwagenheim

I am going with 3 different lotions. I just got some Coppertone Oil free for my face, and I had some leftover Bullfrog that I'll use for my arms and legs, as well as about a half a bottle of Coppertone Sport (which was making my face break out on my FL tour).
I figure after a couple months, I'll find the perfect one, but by then, my skin will be so tanned, it probably won't be as important! No, thats not true. I'm sure sunblock is good always.

Dave

John E

As you may have guessed from my location and my avatar (my maternal clan tartan), I am a Celt living at 33 degrees latitude. I protect my freckled hide primarily by avoiding the midday summer sun. When I do venture out into the midday sun with the mad dogs and Englishmen, I use SPF15 or higher sun screen on my arms and neck, and wear a knit shirt with the collar turned upward to shade my neck.

One consequence of aging is that I really do need to start wearing some sort of cap under my helmet to avoid burning my slowly-expanding bald spot! In other respects, my helmet is a pretty good source of shade. When walking or jogging, I wear a broad-brimmed straw hat.

Bikes-N-Drums

I use Coppertone Sport 45 on everything except my face - I have another one specifically for the face, because according to my girlfriend, 'regular sunscreen makes your face break out'.

wabbit

For some reason, the drugstores around here don't stock coppertone sport 45- only 30. I have no idea why. No one I asked at the store seems to have a clue. There is just no such thing as customer service anymore. However, I find that aNeutrogena makes a great sunscreen available in 45- non greasy lotion.

1oldRoadie

Being part Choctaw, I don't burn..I just get redder.

Captain Crunch

I use Coppertone Sport SPF 30 and find it works very well. I do not put any above my eyes as my helmet will keep the sun of that portion of my head.

New studies have shown that any SPF over 30 is just a marketing gimmick and does not give you any further protection than SPF 30. Don't waste your money on SPF 45's.

Mike

LittleBigMan

I remember being told that spf 45 is not really necessary for adequate protection, sort of like overkill. But I could be wrong.

I have extremely fair skin and spf 30 has kept me
completely burn-free in the hottest Florida and Georgia summer sun for several hours of exposure.
I was amazed (but the eye-sting thing and bad taste is always a downside.)

I decided that, during summer, it was "hip to be greasy."

Cadd

Here SPF 45 cost only about $1 more than SPF 30 (other stores sell them for the same price). But I would rather risk losing that dollar than to take the risk of getting burnt.

Do you have a source of that new study? It would be interesting to read. Thx.

hosehead

I used to be a lifeguard back in high school and I learned this interesting bit of information: The FDA (here in America) only regulates sunscreen with SPF 4 through 15. Anything under 4 or over 15 is pretty much reputation. Banana boat SPF 30 probably is not the same as, say, Coppertone SPF 30. I just use Kroger oil free SPF 15 for everything. It's cheap, it stinks, and it works. My little white-skinned red-haired nephew uses Shade SPF 45. This was recommended by a doctor. It works well for him.