what to put on first sunscreen or bug spray

Recommendations for Sunscreen and Bug Repellent - Deet or All-Natural?

Updated on April 28, 2008

T.H. asks from Litchfield, NH on Apr 25, 2008

17 answers

I'one thousand then confused! I've been trying to gradually reduce the amounts of chemicals we use effectually the house and making an effort to go as natural and organic as possible. In addition to covering my kids with long sleeves and pants and mosquito netting whenever possible I want to find a sunscreen and bug repellent for those "unavoidable" situations.

I've been researching sunscreens and insect repellents for kids and have come beyond opposing recommendations. I know that for infants a "barrier" type sunscreen is all-time, but are the organic/natural-based sunscreens this type? I'chiliad specifically looking at California Baby or Jason's, but open to suggestions.

Also, I read that the CDC and AAP both recommend using a DEET based insect repellent because they are proven effective, and to avoid anything with lemon eucalyptus and citronella because not plenty research has been done on these...just many natural formulations include these ingredients as alternatives to DEET.

So what'due south a well-meaning mom to exercise?

2 moms found this helpful

What tin can I exercise side by side?

Featured Answers

S.J.

answers from Hartford on Apr 26, 2008

Hi T.
I find my product recommendations on the Environmental Working Groups Cosmetics Safety Database. You tin wait up anything-insect repellent, sun screens, soaps, lotions, etc. They will give you a listing of ingredients and the safety rating for the ingredients and the products. I looked upward insect repellent and I noticed Buzz Away got a very low score. I bought this in a health food store and used information technology when I was pregnant on a trip to Puerto Rico. It was very effective. Here's the link to their website. If information technology doesn't piece of work only google Skin Deep and you tin become to it. Practiced Luck!

world wide web.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php

Southward.

M.T.

answers from Boston on Apr 26, 2008

I was in the same gunkhole last year. We tried a bunch of dissimilar natrual repellents, only none of them worked. Nosotros use the Cutter "Skinsitive" (I think that's what it'south called). It has the everyman concentration of DEET and seems to work well. The way I think about it is: I'd rather use DEET than accept them get bitten by a dangerous mosquito or worse yet a tick. Good luck.

More Answers

M.C.

answers from Boston on April 26, 2008

I personally employ the natural repellents - I honestly can't believe that lemon or other natural things would be as harmful every bit DEET! The just reason the CDC says that is to encompass their butts in instance of lawsuits. No one is going to study all natural products for condom because there is no coin in it for the big companies - and but because the CDC says so, doesn't make it true, trust me. =)

A.B.

answers from Boston on April 26, 2008

Hi T.. I take tried the majority of bugsprays out there that do not comprise DEET. Honestly, none of them worked well at all. My Dr. suggested finding the one on the shelf with the lowest percentage of DEET. They all accept how much DEET they have in them, right on the front of the tin can. You take to weight the options. I chose a small-scale corporeality of DEET versus all the things you lot can become from mosquitos!

Fifty.M.

answers from Boston on April 26, 2008

Hi T.,

I recently received an email saying that Listerine (the original medicinal kind) works well equally an insect repellent. I estimate y'all just spray it around the surface area to keep them abroad. I have not tried it yet, merely I practise plan on it. Although, I'grand non actually certain if you can spray it on your skin or what exactly is in it.

Fifty.

D.C.

answers from Boston on Apr 27, 2008

Hello T.,

We live upwardly in NH and get more bugs than I care to count, we purchased 2 mosquito magnets (1 for front and ane for the back) after trial and error about where to place them based on our activities in the thou, nosotros have seen a huge reduction. If you can notice a similar item that is solar powered you can place it anywhere in the yard.

Simply it doesn't cover ticks etc, so we still use additional precautions (lowest Deet available) when we are we are abroad from our 1000 or out almost dawn/sunset. Followed by vigorous washing of clothes and bodies when everyone comes in.

Bank check with your pedi, if infants are going to be out in the sun before 6mo, a prophylactic sunscreen is improve than no sunscreen.

As an esthetician and volunteer for the American Cancer Guild, I've heard center breaking stories of bad sunburns on infants ...

Find something that is safety, be cautious about chemical burns, and if you're unable to find something effective withal gentle like the Arbonne Babe Care sunscreen, then wait into the newer spf habiliment lines...like Lands End etc.

Skilful luck!
Deb

Thousand.T.

answers from Boston on April 25, 2008

I too merely spray bug spray on my childrens clothing, never on their pare. I utilise to spray it on the lower role of the stroller, wheels, etc to go along the bugs abroad!!!

S.H.

answers from Boston on April 26, 2008

We use Avon's Pare So Soft - it's amazing. In the four years we've used information technology - not a unmarried mosquito seize with teeth on the kids. I've started using at present equally I use to get eaten alive.

Good Luck,
S. (even so in Switzerland until July)

North.L.

answers from Boston on April 26, 2008

I understand your concern. I think y'all'll be able to find more organic/natural sunscreens without too much issue. Bank check with the Pedi about sunscreen on the baby but my understanding is that its ameliorate to cover your baby so after six months of age use sunscreen (but still effort to cover him/her as your first line of defense).

As for bug repellant, specifically tick protection....my girl got Lyme disease when she was ii (she's now 4) then we've been down this road. I've tried Deet products, Picardin products and natural products. My opinion is that they all work to some capacity. I live in a very wooded expanse nigh a brook with deer around so mosquitoes and ticks are everyday things that happen this fourth dimension of year. The Picardin products worked fairly well for us but because of where we live I go along the Deet products on manus, likewise (low percentage though). I've become a fan of the Skin So Soft past Avon. I'm also going to try to wash my family's cloting in eucalyptus oil (something my mom recommended but not sure if information technology works) to help repell them. One of the best means to protect my kids is to thoroughly bank check for ticks on them afterward they've been outdoors. The deer ticks (the ones that are really pocket-sized - nearly the size of a pin head) are the ones that behave the Lyme. BTW, I've alreay pulled a few ticks off my family unit...and nosotros're not even into heavy "tick season" nonetheless.

My 2 cents. Proficient luck!

P.P.

answers from Hartford on Apr 26, 2008

Deet is extremely toxic and tin eat clothing. It could be extremely hazardous to your 3 calendar month old even if you are just spraying it well-nigh him. I would stay away from that. All natural things dont e'er piece of work. There is another alternative chosen Picaridin which is safe, doesnt eat article of clothing, and is but as effective as Deet (y'all can find an article on Picaridin on CDC website). I sell AVON and nosotros have products with Picaridin and I also believe that Cutter might make a production with Picaridin in it too.

This is all I use with my kids who are both autistic and have severe allergies and all of my customers adopt it likewise, to the other ones we offer.

That is the bug guard. As far as sunscreen there are sunscreens out there that are made for babies that should be safe to utilize. Just avert the hands where they put them in the mouth. I dont call back avon has any baby sunscreens simply I know i used to use water babies (I remember that is what it is called). Its been a long time.

P.S.

answers from Portland on April 26, 2008

Hi T.,

I am an independent consultant for Arbonne International and would be more than than happy to send a sample of our baby line that has a sample of the infant sunscreen. Our products are all made without the use of chemicals, animal products and past products, and artificial fragrances. Nosotros are a botanical based product company, merely we practise non use basics in our baby line. Allow me know if you would like to attempt and sample and I volition get it in the mail on Monday!
Pam

C.R.

answers from Boston on Apr 26, 2008

Hi T.-

I've tried different natural bug repellents, and the only one I accept plant that seems to piece of work pretty well is "Herbal Armor" by All Terrain. It does have citronella in it- just I don't see whatsoever safety concerns nigh it- unless a kid were to drink it. I wouldn't spray anything you utilise on a child, because so you risk them inhaling the spray, but either spraying information technology on your hand fist and rubbing it on, or going with a cream, would limit exposure to anything you apply. I just don't feel right about using DEET- it has been "ok'd" in children just if used on clothes and not touching their skin in any way- but usual usage often involves more than unintentional contact with it.

J.S.

answers from Hartford on April 25, 2008

Honestly? We use Cutter in the family version. It's DEET-free and it works well. I get the spray, and use it ONLY on the girl's wear, I don't spray their skin. I do the aforementioned for myself.

You might besides try a gardener'south and golfer'southward flim-flam. Take a fabric softener sheet, the kind you stick in the laundry dryer, and tuck it into a pocket here and at that place. It keeps away pesky biting insects, because they don't like the scent.

K.D.

answers from Providence on Apr 26, 2008

hi T.,
have y'all heard of arbonne product all their products that are botanically based pure rubber and benefical. they have a full line of sunscreens babe and developed.they have an awaken aromatherapy spray that works also repels bugs..... bank check out my website www.myurbeautiful.myarbonne.com if y'all take any questions email me at [email protected]____.com expert luck K.

Chiliad.P.

answers from Boston on April 25, 2008

I wouldn't suggest spraying bug spray on their clothes equally the spray is toxic, the residue is on the wearing apparel, which tin absorb into the peel. The Health company offers natural products we equally squad members accept come up with combinations of or Torso Satin Balm and Tea Tree oil (a natural insect and bug repellent). Or nosotros mix Sol-U-Mel and Tea Tree Oil to spray on clothing. That's simply 2 of many. If you are looking for economical simply very constructive products contact me. Our store has been involved with World Day for 23-years. The integrity of the company is verifiable with the Amend Business Bureau. Have a 90-twenty-four hours challenge and if y'all are not satisfied with the products, there is an empty canteen guarantee and you tin get your money dorsum on the products.

Yard.
http://livetotalwellness.com/mykid

A.L.

answers from Burlington on April 28, 2008

I recall the California Babe sunscreen and bug repellent is a adept option. Information technology's pricey--but gets groovy ratings from EWG (another person gave that link--I think information technology's aweseome for figuring out how to take care of my family unit w/out lots of chemicals). And, if you're not in a malaria area (though yous may be in deer tick land?) then I'm guessing a better adventure is getting an unpleasant bite or two rather than daily slatherings with known chemicals. This stuff is alwasys such a quagmire to figure out! Skillful luck!

J.D.

answers from Boston on April 26, 2008

Hi T.,

I always try natural products whenever possible - especially skin products. Everything we rub all over ourselves seeps into our bodies so the less chemicals the better I think. I institute a great all natural sunscreen last summer. It's chosen UV Natural Sunscreen. I bought information technology from www.katescaringgifts.com. It's non cheap but it worked really well for my family - and nosotros accept pretty fair skin. It's SPF 30+. Even though it says that it'south a non greasy formula, I did find it a niggling greasy only however worth using. I've likewise used Herbal Armor insect repellent which I got at Whole Foods I think. Information technology is Deet costless but I think it works pretty expert. I hope this helps.

Jen

davishapper.blogspot.com

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