Best sunblock lotion?

No.

The issue is almost all sunscreens, if they run in the eyes, sting. Also, the most effective sunscreen ingredients (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, mexoryl) aren't available (AFAIK) in a gel or spray formulation. BTW, be cautious when buying sprays. Many sprays are the same lotion you would get in a bottle, just with a spray top. Just as messy/greasy/etc. to apply. As a Dermatologist, I usually just suck it up and use the good stuff, which works, and just live with the greasy/heavy feel.

Having said all of that, I do occasionally use Coppertone Sport continuous spray--easy to apply, light feel (relatively)--works well though not as good at blocking UVA as the above. Also, some friends like Neutrogena Dry Touch lotion.

The other technique that works well is to get a stick (there are many now, including some that have Zinc Oxide in them) and apply them around the eyes. The stick formulation (like chapstick) doesn't run as easily into eyes.

If I am really sweating alot, I end up using a headband.

Hope that helps.

 

Neutrogena I use SPF 55 no irritation or fragrance does not sting while running.


http://www.neutrogena.com/ProductsDetails_329.asp?lProductLineID=15


Some suggest that using sublock, you will absorb radiation causing more harm more research is needed.

 

Some more details.

Zinc and titanium are reflectors, so little solar radiation gets into the skin.

I advise my patients that sunscreen is usually better than nothing, but is a last place choice (staying out of the sun, covering up, being out early or late, etc. are all much better choices).

For any die hard sunscreen users or sun avoiders reading this, it is worth considering having a vitamin D level checked.

 

+2 for Zinka.

 

The vit D made with exposure to the sun helps your body absorb calcium. I have never seen a "well tanned" older person who looks like they have osteoporosis, have you Doc? They always stand up so straight. Studies have also shown that colon and other cancer rates go down with exposure to sunlight. Anything else you want to ad Doc? Everything in moderation....... maybe?

 

I will live forever, for the sun shines out of my ass!

 

Not sure I understand your point. My point is that IF you choose to really avoid the sun (which, you'll note, I didn't suggest) you could be at risk of having a low Vitamin D level. As you stated, low vitamin D is associated with many disease states.

Whether or not it is sunlight, or D levels, is yet unproven (in other words, no one knows if supplementing your way to a normal vitamin D level is equivalent to sunning your way to the same measured serum vitamin D level). If you have studies that suggest otherwise, please post the references.

We do know that high sunlight exposure is associated with skin cancer--fact. How well sunscreen helps mitigate this risk is unclear. I tell my patients, very clearly, that sun exposure can cause skin cancer. I also warn them of the risk of low D levels and basically say we don't really know how the risks on each side play out (i.e. the risk of getting and having something bad happen to you from a skin cancer caused by the sun, versus the risk of getting and having something bad happen to you from another cancer from low D levels). I do suggest, for my skin cancer patients, that sunscreen is the third choice to lower skin cancer risk. The best way is don't go out in the sun, the second best way is to cover up, and the last choice is sunscreen. I understand that this is very practical, but life isn't fair.

 

I agree with you Doc. Almost 100%.
As a previous research biologist, I am aware, as I surmise you are, the reason certain types of research gets done. for profit companies pay for it). It wouldn't surprise me if there was a link between skin cancer and something in addition to the sun, or inconjunction with the sun................say maybe the parabeens in sunblock..Just MHO )

 

Weren't you the vice president of a publicly traded research biology company?

Or was it just "Some Stupid" endeavor?