The day after making the sunsticks, we headed to the Coast…. Santa Cruz, to be exact.
We arrived at noon, and apparently half the Bay Area had the same idea… it was crowded. It was also a beautiful, balmy 85 degrees, a perfect day to try out the sunsticks. We were there at the height of sun exposure: noon ’til 5 p.m.
Here’s the outcome of trying out the sunstick: I applied the sunstick all over my arms, shoulders, chest and legs. I came away with a nice bronze tan in front and lobster-red burn on my back, the only area where I didn’t apply. Had I stayed out any longer, my shoulders would have been next. I only applied the sunstick once, but I would have been wise to apply it one more time.
I applied it all over my 2 year old daughter. She didn’t burn at all, and she didn’t go in the ocean.
My 9 year old and 7 year old did get burned, but I realize now that they were primarily in the water most of the time we were there. I only applied the sunstick once but I should have at least two more times in the five hours we were at the beach.
This certainly is not scientific, but I would conclude a few pros and cons with the sunstick:
- Compared to nothing, the sunsticks definitely work to keep the skin from sunburn.
- This will definitely replace any sunscreen or sunblock I buy at the store.
- I would re-apply as necessary, and more often if in the water.
- It took a bit more work to apply than my other sunscreen recipe, but having this keep the hands grease-free was very nice.
- I’d recommend it more for having on-hand at the pool or park rather than an extended period of time at the ocean.
- It leaves a very light whiteness on the skin, which is handy to know where the sunstick has been applied, and it can be rubbed in easily.
- In temperatures cooler than 85 degrees, I’d use less beeswax in the recipe.
- If I wanted more spf protection, I’d leave out some beeswax and add more zinc oxide (although that would leave more whiteness on the skin).
- Applying the sunstick and then playing in the sand will cause a “sand-trap” on your skin, a mess to remove… on the positive side, sand makes a great exfoliant 🙂
- I have other sunscreen-related blog posts, like this one about its safety, this one about sun exposure, reasons why you should make your own sunscreen, sunscreen clean-up (after making it), a photo gallery of a customer’s sunscreen, and of course, how to make your own sunscreen sunsticks.
- According to the zinc oxide to lotion recipe, the spf calculates at about 15 spf, but I’d lower that to be on the conservative side.
- ALWAYS be cautious in the sun not to overburn. I need to listen to my own advice.
By the way, that roller coaster in the photo above… I rode it! My 13 year old double-dog-dared me, so I had to. Ride a roller coaster at age 41: cross that off the bucket list.
