Sun Protection Tips When Traveling To The Beach

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Banana Boat® . The opinions and text are all mine. We have been waiting for summer, planning road trips and beach getaways and as soon as school was over we headed to the Florida Keys to kick off our summer traveling.  We had decided to do some island hopping so we stopped at Key Largo and Islamorada before ending our island adventure in Duck Key. When we go on vacation I always make sure to include something that everyone likes into our plans so this beach getaway was packed with lots of fun from dolphin shows and feeding parrot fish to climbing palm trees and eating the best key lime pie in the Florida Keys! We live in southwest Florida and there is always a gorgeous beach nearby just waiting to be discovered and this summer we plan to spend a lot of time outdoors.  Needless to say summers in Florida are hot and sunny and if you will be spending hours outside you really need to be prepared and protect yourself and the kids from the sun’s harmful effects.

Wearing sunscreen is a must but there are also other ways to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun. We always try to wear a rash guard over our swimsuits, wear large primed hats and protect our eyes with sunglasses. 

Tips For Applying Sunscreen 

Sunscreen does more than protect against sunburns, it protects against long-term effects that are not always visible, like skin damage and skin cancer.   You might think that everyone know how to apply sunscreen but I was surprised to learn that I had been applying sunscreen incorrectly for most of my life! For starters I was not applying it at the right time or in the right amount. So here are some great tips for applying sunscreen so that you get the best protection.

• Plan ahead.  Bring sunscreen for all outdoor activities, even if it’s just a stroll along the beach or a pick nick.
• Choose a sunscreen that is waterproof.  If your kids are at the beach or the pool chances are they will be getting wet so make sure to choose a sunscreen that is waterproof and preferably sweat proof as well.
• Apply before sun exposure.  Most of us wait until we are at the beach to apply sunscreen but sunscreen should be applied half an hour before sun exposure because it takes about 15 minutes for your skin to absorb the sunscreen.
• Choose sunscreen with broad spectrum coverage and SPF of 30 or higher.  When buying sunscreen make sure it says UVA and UVB protection.
• Apply at least one ounce of sunscreen.  Most of us do not apply enough sunscreen, a good rule is to apply 1ounce every time for adults, a little less for kids depending on their age.
• Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin.  When applying sunscreen we tend to forget the neck, the ears, under the arms or behind the knees, make sure you protect every inch of bare skin.
• Reapply, reapply, reapply! Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hoursat least every 2 hours, less if you and your kids will be in the water or sweating.
• Make it quick. The kids want to go back to playing and having fun at the beach so choose a product that you can put on quickly, we usually buy the sprays because they are easy and quick to apply.
• Make it painless.  Make sure you have a sunscreen that is alcohol free so that it does not sting. There is nothing worst than applying sunscreen on a child’s face and have them scream because it stings on their already sunburned skin.
• Make it fun. When applying sunscreen on kids make it fun: singing a song together while you put on the sunscreen is a great way to keep kids from whining or running off when you have not finished.

When we shop for sun protection we always choose Banana Boat ® products, it’s a brand we trust and we love the wide array of options and different SPF levels.  Our favorite ones are the Banana Boat ® KIDS sprays that go on easy and are water and sweat resistant, but the best part: they are not sticky or greasy like other brands so that the sand brushes right off.  The Banana Boat® Kids Tear-Free Sting-Free Continuous Lotion Spray Sunscreen SPF 50+  is the only alcohol-free, tear-free, sting-free kids’ clear spray and it goes on white (then disappears) so that you can see where you are applying it and don’t miss a spot. I love that Banana Boat® sun care products are tested in seven conditions – sun, pool water, ocean water, wind, sweat, sand and extreme heat – to provide safe and effective broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection for the entire family. You can find Banana Boat® at your local Walmart, all you need to do is follow the signs of summer for continuous sun protection. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Banana Boat® . The opinions and text are all mine.

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Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz

Paula moved from her native Guatemala to SW Florida with her husband and two children and together they are discovering what it means to live life between two languages.

Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .

When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.

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