sun safety: fun sunscreen

We all know how hard it is to get kids to apply sunscreen or to sit still when we try to rub it on them. Sunbow makes it easier with formulas that come in engaging packaging and are fun to put on. When I first sprayed my 3.5 year old daughter with the Dora the Explorer blue goop, she couldn't wait to rub it in herself. When I grabbed a different brand in haste the next day, she pouted all the way to camp because "I wanted the blue sunscreen, mommy!"

My son, age 5, feels the same attachment to the SpongeBob Square Pants version, which comes in yellow (his favorite color) and--btw--also smells like bubble gum. Personally, I'm just thrilled with the bright colored formulas (they are easily absorbed and dry clear) that are gentle on their skin, and the maximum protection (SPF 30) from UVA/UVB rays. Try Sunbow Sunscreen Spray ($9.99), Sunbow Sun Stick ($7.99) and Sunbow Zinc Oxide Cream ($12.99).

Sunbow products are available at www.sunbowsunscreen.comand www.drugstore.com.

go natural

If you thought trying to get your two-year-old daughter to get dressed was a challenge, try lotioning up the kids every day for camp! Talk about a stressful morning! JASON Naturals Sunbrellas Collection makes it easier with six all natural, non-greasy sunblocks that really feel like they're offering the maximum protection. Try Mineral Based Natural Sunblock SPF 30, Kids Natural Sunblock SPF 45, Family Natural Sunblock SPF 45, Facial Natural Sunblock SPF 20, Sport Natural Sunblock SPF 45 or Lip Balm SPF 25. They go on smoothly and absorb quickly, which means you can get them dressed and off to camp in...well, let's just say quicker than with other brands that take a while to rub in. I throw the tubes in their bags so they can reapply during the day. The best part: You'll have relief knowing they're protected when you're not around. Check out www.jason-natural.com for more info.

national sun protection day: keep your kiddies undercover, with Jason Naturals

It's only May 27th...there's a whole summer of slathering up the kids right around the corner. In honor of National Sun Protection Day, Jason Naturals Sunbrellas offers plenty of options to keep your family safe in the sun. At our hosue, we already use the Jason Kids Only Shampoo and Conditioner which we love, so we're excited to spend the summer with the brand's sun-smart sunscreens. Try Facial Natural Sunblock SPF 20 ($11.95), Family Natural Sunblock SPF 45 ($11.95), Kids Natural Sunblock SPF 45 ($11.95), Mineral Based Natural Sunblock SPF 30 ($14.95), Sport Natural Block SPF 45 ($11.95) and Lip Balm SPF 25 ($4.95). My kids love lotioning up themselves--hopefully I can tolerate the mess! JASON Natural Products are available at Whole Foods and other health and natural food stores in the United States and Canada, or by visiting http://www.jason-natural.com.

skin cancer awareness month: get too faced

Wanna protect your kids' lips and give them a chance to help others at the same time? In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Too Faced donates a huge portion of their sales of Love Lisa SPF 15 Lip Balm ($16) to the Too Faced Love Lisa Melanoma Research Foundation Grant. It's infused with soothing orange essential oils and a whole lotta love! Inspired by Founder Jerrod Blandino's sister, Lisa, who is battling Stage 4 Melanoma (and winning!), LL Lip Balm will protect your pucker from the sun's vicious rays while it moisturizes and pampers your lips. Plus, a huge portion of the sale of Love Lisa SPF 15 Lip Balm goes to the Too Faced Love Lisa Melanoma Research Foundation Grant to help find a cure for this deadly disease. Go to http://www.sephora.com/ to order.

sunscreen: apply now

"Hold still!" "Turn around!" "Stop moving!" "Lift up your arm!" Just a few simple orders you may find yourself barking while enduring the stressful task of applying sunscreen on your child from head to toe. And, obviously, no sunscreen is going to get the job done if you can't get it on them! This summer, KINeSYS is determined to make life a bit easier. It's unique microSPRAY® mist ensures a silky, even coverage for users of all ages. This non-aerosol ultrafine mist dries quickly, and allows skin to breathe. Add to that the newly launched GIRL sunscreen spray and you've got a great sunscreen that not only protects but is easy to apply. How it works: KINeSYS products contain topical antioxidant Tocopheryl Acetate(Vitamin E) to scavenge free radicals, offer protection with photo-stable broad spectrum UVA/UVBParsol® 1789, are oil-, alcohol-, PABA and preservative-free, and are water- and sweat-resistant. Try the SPF 30 Girl Sunscreen Spray (1oz $6.99 / 4oz $18.99). Rich in Vitamin E for maximum complexion protection, it sprays on lightly and has an unbeatable vanilla and green tea scent. More sunscreen options for you and your family: FUNSCREEN Sunscreen Spray ($6.99), KIDS SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray (1 oz. $6.99 / 4 oz. $18.99), KINeSYS SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray (1oz $6.99 / 4oz $18.99 and comes in a light-mango scent or fragrance-free), Performance Moisturizer with SPF 15 (1 oz. $6.99 / 4oz $18.99), Sun Protection Stick ($12 for heavy duty protection in hard to reach areas), Footspray ($14 for soothing foot relief) and the Analgesic Sport Stick ($14 for penetrating warm/cool pain relief). For more info about these products, go to www.KINeSYS.com.

expert advice: from Dr. Neal Schultz of DermTV.com

You can never be too careful with your kids in the sun. Face it: Those rays are strong and kids could care less--they just want to play! New York City-based cosmetic/medical dermatologist, Dr. Neal Schultz, the Internet's first daily skincare video show host, shares his "skinsight" when it comes to keeping your kids well protected.
1. "Regardless of whether the sunscreen says 'waterproof' or 'water-resistant,' it's going to come off after 20 to 30 minutes of kids playing in the water and needs to be reapplied at least every hour (see How to Properly Apply Sunscreen, Episode #11)."
2. "Choose a sunscreen with SPF 15 to 30 with 'broad spectrum protection' or with 'UVA' protection (see How to Choose the Right Sunscreen, Episode #13)."
3. "The first time to apply sunscreen is when washing your kids' faces and brushing their teeth after they wake up in the morning, instead of waiting till you go outside or get to the beach. This is to make sunscreen application part of a child's daily hygiene at an early age so it's put on every day of the year. It's best to start that habit early."
In addition, check out the booklet "Play It Safe In the Sun" by Perry Robins, MD, available from The Skin Cancer Foundation.
Go to www.DermTV.com for more great skincare advice from Dr. Schultz and answers to your most prominent skincare questions.

let the sun shine

Whether you're battling a cold, dry winter or a scorching hot summer, one thing you shouldn't leave the house without is sunscreen--especially for your lips. Thanks to Dr. T and the makers of SuperGoop, a natural, organic sunscreen company, it's easy to keep your skin and your lips protected from the environment. SuperGoop has no artificial colors, no unecessary chemical additives, and requires no animal testing. The formula is eco-friendly, packed with vitamins and minerals, and safe for the whole family. For those on the go (what family isn't?), stock up on the 4 Lips Pocket-Stick Set, SPF 30 Sun & Wind Protection 4 Lips ($19), a compact box packed with four individual lip protectant sticks. So everyone can grab their own and go! Kids love the wintermint and original flavors. Other SuperGoop essentials: the SPF 30 Bug-Away Spray, a deet-free two-in-one sun and bug protectant in a lightweight, lemongrass and cedar formula that offers broad spectrum sun protection, and the SuperGoop! Cabana Kit ($42),a beach tote for toddlers featuring a 5 oz. super-spray SPF 30 SuperGoop!, an SPF 30 Quick and Easy Touch-Up Stick with titanium dioxide and a lightweight 100% cotton sun hat for UV 50 sun protection in one of four breezy color combinations. You'll never be unprepared for the beach--or street--again! See www.SuperGoop.com for more info.