Our Sun Safe Tips for National Sunscreen Day

It’s hot in Florida right now. No, really, it’s hot. Between high UV index levels and temperatures inching near 100 this weekend, it’s important to remember your sunscreen now more than ever. What better day to remind you than on National Sunscreen Day, May 24.

We asked around the TouringPlans office to see what type of sunscreen is a go-to product. Here’s some of the replies.

Rikki Niblett

I’m a fan of the spray. Any spray version that is SPF 30 or higher. Make sure you hit areas like your ears. (I missed them last time and they got burnt.) And be courteous and don’t spray in a crowd of people.

Laurel Stewart

I really dislike Coppertone, the official brand of Disney, so I always have to BYO. I prefer Neutrogena spray. (The lotions come off on my clothes, the rental car, basically everywhere.) In general, I try to wear lightweight, but high-coverage, clothing as opposed to depending on sunscreen, though.

Angela Dahlgren

We tend to go with rub-in mineral sunscreens that are ocean safe.

James Rosemergy

I’m strongly Team Spray, SPF 30 or higher. It’s very easy to apply on the go, and my hands don’t feel greasy afterwards as they do with lotion.

Erin Foster

There was an article in the NY Times about how some of the ingredients in most sunscreens disrupt hormones — which, wait for it, may result in cancer. So, damned if you do and damned if you don’t. That said, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Non-Greasy Sunscreen Stick (SPF 70) is the one I always have in my bag at Disney. Easy to apply in specific areas, like if you realize you forgot to do your ears. It’s not messy at all. And it doesn’t bother other guests when you’re applying like a spray might. But if we’re at the beach and I’m trying to cover a lot of kids, then spray it is.

Julia Mascardo

After years upon years of applying sunscreen and still burning, the doctor explained to me that I’m one of the people for which “normal” (re: hormone-interactive sunscreens) simply don’t work. So, team mineral sunscreen it is for me. I’ve found a mineral spray (but non-aerosol) I like that is 12% zinc oxide: Pacifica SPF 30. It has that great coconut smell and doesn’t feel quite as sticky as some mineral-based ones do. Two things I’ve learned: First, if you’re wearing sandals or flip flops, make sure you put sunscreen on the top of your feet. Sunburns there are miserable. Second, if you’re using mineral sunscreen that isn’t a spray, it is possible for enough of it to get in the whorls in your fingerprints that your biometric scan at the entrance to a Disney park may not work. Be prepared with your ID just in case they need to re-set things.

Tammy Whiting

My two cents are — pay attention to the expiration date. I got a horrific sunburn while fully covered in expired sunscreen.

How about you? What’s your go-to sunscreen? Got any tips on how to stay sun safe? Let us know in the comments.