I recently got a Booney hat for $17. I think that's the best way to save money, just cover up so you won't need it. Of course, that's not acceptable to some people, but it'll work for me.
Sunscreen Savings: How to Spend 50 Percent Less without Even Trying
Photo: Di The Huntress
Sunscreen is not just a priority in most homes, it’s a household staple. Staying protected while running errands, keeping the kids covered during sporting and leisure events, and general day to day use make this product a standard budget line item that adds up to big bucks fast. A close friend recently let me in on a little secret. She consistently spends at least fifty percent less on broad-spectrum sunscreen protection than most people she knows. She doesn’t clip coupons, and she doesn’t even sale shop for it. I put her secret to use this past week with absolutely no extra effort, and you can too. Ready to learn how it’s done?
First of all, let me say I wish I had known this years ago. It makes me shudder to think of all the unnecessary money I’ve spent on sunscreen when I could have been equally protected for less. However, I know it now and I’m passing it on to you.
Sunscreen Savings Strategy:
- Instead of shopping in the sunscreen section, go to the regular body lotion section.
- Look for one with sunscreen included.
That’s literally all there is to it. The brand my friend turned me onto was Lubriderm. They make a general moisturizing lotion with an SPF of 15 that is available on Amazon (affiliate link). The price I paid at the nearest Super Target was roughly eight bucks for 16 ounces, versus the same price for 8 ounces of several brands in the sunscreen section.
Bonus Tips:
- Use your mad spy skills on your newspaper’s weekly circular ads. Summer’s coming, and there will likely be sales.
- If a coupon falls into your lap, use one. This is exactly what happened to me last week, and I saved an extra two bucks.
- Use a non SPF bargain lotion at night to stretch your sunscreen savings even further.
SPF 15 is the highest sunscreen protection level I know of in the regular body lotion section. Those needing a higher SPF for special situations or cancer recovery may want to check out the generic product lines of various drug stores, as I recommended in a previous affordable toiletries article. (Hint: Walgreens makes an SPF 70 which rated well in the cosmetics safety database.)
Do you know of any other brands offering body lotion with SPF? Got another sunscreen savings strategy? Share your information in the comment section below.
Related Readings: Killing Yourself to Be Pretty , Cheap Sunburn Remedies and Free Shopping at Walgreens.
More Articles for Summer: Backyard Barbecues on a Budget, Pineapple Recipes on the Cheap, Simple Summer Menu Ideas and Cocktail Recipes for Summer.
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For those who wear make-up, many brands have sunscreen built into them, just like the lotion you mentioned. And the lotion and make-up are easy to find year-round, not just in special displays.
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Adam, I agree. The hat with the extra flap or brim for coverage is one way to go. I've also seen it used lots as a supplement to what people are already wearing.
Julie, you raise a killer point about the cosmetics. I'm in the process of switching over in the face moisturizer / foundation departments. Using regular sunscreen on my face breaks me out, so I am now using a Neutragena product that has SPF 15 and retinol on my face. It works well, but I thought I'd try a greener product. Haven't found one with sunscreen as far as moisturizer's concerned. That being said, if I could find a general moisturizer, I've heard the Bare Minerals makeup has lots of natural sunscreen built in. So I might go that route.
As you also mentioned, it's cool that the base lotions and cosmetics are available all year. It's hard for those up north to head out on a cool tropical vacation and not be able to pick up sunscreen before they go, so being able to grab some affordable factor fifteen without stress is a nice hack that lots of people can use.
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I'm going to argue that spending money on sunscreen that stays on during outdoor activities like swimming and exercise is worth it. Yes, yes, you should probably reapply. But you should also be getting a sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB's.
Still, when I worked as a lifeguard THE BEST WAY to limit sun exposure was to cover up--ok, fine, I wore a farmer hat and a rash guard and you may not want to do that. But there are tasteful and comfortable ways to keep the sun off you without wearing sunscreen and I highly recommend those as well. You'll save $ and save your skin.
Simple in France, you raise a good point. There are certain exposure situations that are more extreme than the others. For those situations, we cover up with a higher SPF at our house too. I guess my point is more about the day to day uses where you know you need some coverage, but aren't going to be on the boat all day needing SPF 50 on your nose and neck.
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I appreciate products with built in sunscreen, but the problem is that many people (myself included) don't wear enough lotion or makeup to get the sunscreen coverage needed. If you like to wear your foundation very sheer, it's likely that you're not getting enough protection, no matter what the SPF.
I slather on sunscreen, THEN put on makeup. Given everything that sunscreen should do (protect your skin from increased risk of skin cancer and minimize sun damage that can cause premature wrinkling or discoloration), I'm happy to pay for good sunscreen.
As noted, 15 isn't high enough for many sun-sensitive people. It wouldn't do a thing for my fair-skinned husband who works outside in the summer. But the big concern I'd have with this suggestion is that body lotion is not waterproof or sweatproof, making it a poor solution for the beach or for outdoor exercise.
I agree Q, which is why I mentioned in the article it wouldn't apply to every situation. But to be perfectly honest, 90 percent of the time when I need sunscreen, SPF 15 is fine for me. For a full day at the beach, I would use something different as well. I just see many people I know dishing out for the super expensive varieties just to wear out and about for a day of grocery shopping which seems like an expensive way to go when you could stretch out the expensive stuff with the body lotion. Maybe I just know more than my share of sunscreen enthusiasts . . .
You can also follow me on Twitter and Trek Hound.
Every dermatologist I've ever heard says that 30 SPF is a minimum. And most people don't use enough lotion (or especially makeup) to get all the protection. You're supposed to use a teaspoon for your face and, if I remember correctly, three shot glasses for your body.
*and* I recently read an article that said that when you use half of the recommended amount of sunscreen, you actually get the *square root* of the protection, not half. So if you use 45 SPF and you only use half of that, you're not getting 22.5 SPF. You're getting closer to 7 SPF.
I do use SPF body lotion sometimes but I see it as bonus sun protection, not a replacement.
Dermatologists recommend at least a SPF 30 for exposed skin. The problem with sunscreen is that most people don't use enough of it, and they do not apply it in advance of going into the sun. Lotions with SPF 15 isn't enough protection, and with skin cancer on the rise, it's really important for everyone to get the correct info about sunscreen and how to use it.
Read the AAD Factsheet.
Thanks for the additional resource, folks. Personally, dishing out for a dermatologist isn't something I've ever made a financial priority although I can see how some people would.
Since we're on the subject however, I seem to remember a medical expert on one of the morning news shows not too long ago (can't remember if it was CBS or NBC) mentioning that there is some debate now due to a certain study that found we are not getting enough vitamin D due to overuse of sunscreen. She wasn't recommending we go without, in fact I recall her being clear that the medical community disagreed on this somewhat with some being in the "relax about it a bit when out and about, but go crazy when at the beach or on the boat" camp and other medical professionals still touting the "overload it and get as much protection as possible" advice.
In the end, everyone will need to make their own call as to what they feel comfortable with, and consult a family physician when it doubt. Personally, I'm comfortable with what I suggest above, but I'm not exceptionally fair-skinned.
You can also follow me on Twitter and Trek Hound.
You can get vitamin D in a supplement, according to my dermatologist (whose visits are covered fully by my insurance). I have had skin cancers removed and I'm on a first name basis with my dermatologist. Her firm recommendations for the entire family: SPF 30 on all exposed skin all hours of daylight. Even cloudy days ...from CDC: "* UVA rays are present throughout the day and are the most important cause of premature aging of the skin. In addition, UVA rays are responsible for photosensitivity reactions and also contribute to skin cancer.
*** UVB rays are intense from 10 am to 4 pm and are most responsible for sunburn and skin cancer development.
* UVC rays are filtered by the ozone layer and do not reach the earth’s surface.
I have learned to check every time I go to my local $0.99 store as soon as it cools off because usually in November/December or so, they get in a huge shipment of Banana Boat products, including the spray on sunscreen that I love to use on my kids when we go to the beach (I hate trying to rub in sandy sunscreen!) and this last time that I stocked up, the earliest expiration was Jan 2011! They were all SPF 30 or 50, too.
The last time I stocked up, that's the same trick I used. It was several years ago and we're down to just a spray-on oil of SPF 30 and a tin of a particularly high SPF (yes, I'm officially too lazy to run downstairs and check) for nose and ears.
Not sure if I'll be able to make that last until the end of the season, but I'm sure going to use the factor 15 body lotion to help me stretch it out until I find another similar deal. Thanks for pointing out that tip!
You can also follow me on Twitter and Trek Hound.
The SPF 15 body lotion in your article is UVB only and does not contain any of the active ingredients that provide broadspectrum UVA protection: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, and mexoryl SX.
Another alternative is to
1) use physical blocks (clothing, zinc, titanium) instead of chemical whenever possible
2) use proper nutrition to reduce your skin protection needs
3) work up unprotected sun exposure carefully
I eat a primal/traditional foods diet and no longer sunburn, although I only use zinc cream in the most extreme exposure situations. And I'm Irish. I've never not sunburned in my life. But at this point, I'm so chockablock with Omega-3s and antioxidents, and so low on sugar and insulin, that my skin can manage graduated sun exposure without damage. All without Vitamin D deficiency or five bucks a day for chemical sunscreens.
As for sunblock, a few tubes of inexpensive zinc oxide diaper cream last the summer.
I simply buy the "No-Ad" brand. Their name tells it all. They don't advertise, so it's called No-Ad.
And it's WAY cheaper.
AND, they come in HUGE bottles. So not only do you get WAY WAY more, like probably double the amount as normal brands, but it's almost half the price.
And it works just as well. I've used it for years now, for me and my kids.
And it comes in high SPF's also. I usually use SPF-50 or so.
My ONLY complaint, is that I've started using, and gotten spoiled by, the clear, spray on sun blocks, and No-Ad doesn't have those. Darnit!!!
But if you don't mind the old fashioned "rub it on" routine, this brand is the way to go.
Ew...I sound like a commercial! I promise I don't work for them!
LOL!!!!
From the CDC:
* UVA rays are present throughout the day and are the most important cause of premature aging of the skin. In addition, UVA rays are responsible for photosensitivity reactions and also contribute to skin cancer.
* UVB rays are intense from 10 am to 4 pm and are most responsible for sunburn and skin cancer development.
* UVC rays are filtered by the ozone layer and do not reach the earth’s surface.
My dermatologist (visits covered by my insurance) recommends SPF 30 every day, all hours of the day, regardless of the weather. You can get Vitamin D from a bottle.
SPF 15 is fine in the winter, but if you need more there's SPF 50 in a small tube face lotion made by Cetaphil.
The other advantage to using a face lotion vs. traditional sunscreen is the face lotion tends to have more "slip" so it goes on smoother. Often the higher the SPF, the thicker the lotion.
It's my way of getting my husband whose sports a couple of big scars from the derm's knife, to wear a higher SPF sunscreen in the summer.
Great tip on the face lotion. Is it in the regular skin care section, or with the sunscreens?
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Dermo visits (for skin cancer treatment prevention) are covered by most insurance - even my crummy grad school plan covered one "skin check" per year. You may need a referral from a PCP.
While body lotion with sunscreen is great, if you are going to be outside for any length of time, you need to reapply your sunscreen. You don't necessarily want to be putting body lotion on in certain situations. I buy my sunscreen at the dollar store. You can get a variety of SPF ratings and it works just as well as the name brands.
High-index sunscreens are not always that easy to wear.
My advise is - don't buy a big tube of a 50+ sunscreen without having tried it first. Better to buy a small bottle and find one you like than to get stuck with a huge bottle.
There is an SPF 15 lotion by Vaseline that I think is the best deal around... it is a large bottle (I think 20-something ounces) for about $5 at Walgreens
Good one, Candice! I'll have to check that out. Is it broad-spectrum like the Lubriderm, or did you happen to even notice? It would be easy to miss looking for it, is why I ask. Thanks for stopping by.
Heya
I work with KINeSYS and just wanted to let you know that we have a Family Kit which includes several bottles of sunscreen spray in a variety of SPF protections, as well as fragrance free version and also a kids and girls specific version (the girls sunscreen one is scented with green-tea and vanilla extract and smells delicious like cotton candy!). The kits are cost effective because there is a savings when you buy multiple bottles at one time... It's worth it if you have a family to keep safe from the sun all summer long. In case anyone is interested, here is the link http://bit.ly/cKX3fH | http://www.kinesys.com/kinesys-skincare-products.php?pg=kinesys-sun-care...
