While I was on vacation last week I used some spray on sunscreen that I had bought last year-NO AD brand 30 SPF. It was the kind that sprays on in a thin mist and you don’t even have to rub in. It was fast, easy and convenient to spray the kiddos down whenever we were going to head to the beach or the pool (which was, of course, every day!).
I didn’t think much of it until today-2 days after we got home. The kids and I were getting ready to go in the back yard and splash around in the inflatable pool. The spray on stuff was all out in the camper, so I grabbed a tube of regular sunscreen that I keep in the kitchen (in our house the kitchen is right next to the sliding glass door that leads into the back yard).
Can you believe that it took me almost 10 minutes to rub sunscreen onto both Princess and Buddy? In the process my hands got all goopy, the kiddos wouldn’t stop wiggling around, Princess’s hair kept dragging in it, and I had the nearly impossible task of keeping them both out of the pool for a few minutes while it sank in.*
This got me thinking. As a frugalite, it hurts me to spend more on the spray stuff when I know the tubes/bottles are cheaper and just as effective. There is, however, something to be said for ease of use. Spraying the kids down had only taken about 2 minutes each, and was much less messy. So the question is, is the additional cost in this case worth the savings in time and effort for me.**
The ease of use issue wins out in this particular case. I think it is because of the FREQUENCY of use. If I only had to slather them down once or twice a year, I’d just deal with it. I know we will be spending lots of time outside as the summer progresses, both at our house, the local state parks, our friend’s land (where blueberries and blackberries abound) and the playground, and I will be using sunscreen almost daily. Spending 10 minutes a day applying sunscreen is just annoying! (and that doesn’t even take into account those reapplications you are supposed to do that I always forget about.)
So I will go ahead and use up the rest of the sunscreen that I have on hand, and plan all future purchases to be of the easy spray on variety-of the cheapest brand available of course!
*Yes, I know that you are supposed to put it on 30 minutes before going out, but that rarely happens in my household-call it poor planning if you must. Honestly, with our French/Italian heritage on my side, both kiddos got skin that tans up beautifully, rarely burning. The only reason I even bother with sunscreen is for the future health of their skin.
**These types of decisions are always very individual, depending on a persons budget and personal priorities. In my case I can easily afford either type, so the question comes down to philosophy and priorities.
sunscreen
frugal
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I try to put my sunblock on right after I shower. Florida sun can zap right through an olive complexion. I never would have believed it until I friiiiied one year…
Jenn- Just so you know- Tanning, not just redness and burning, is a sign of sun damage. Obviously, with a naturally darker complexion it is less of a concern, but sun avoidance during peak hours is important. Good for you to keep them covered. Hope this doesn’t come across as overbearing.
Anon-Thanks for posting your comment. I guess I wasn’t very clear in the post-it is because of the actual sun damage that I even bother with sunscreen-In our norther NY climate, I’m not really worried about the sunburn factor on the kiddos even if I didn’t use sunscreen.
Good idea to save yourself from skin cancer!!! You can get it cheaper(same brand) at Big lots or the dollar stores if it is too high priced. Skin cancer would be more expensive as human life is priceless. It is worth it!!! Have a great week!! Annette
Oh you many want to get a good price on rentals of dvd movies. The club is a good price or at Safeway stores thier dvd machine is great!!! The prices are wonderful!! It’s a great way to beat the heat!! Annette
What it comes down to is…your time and your sanity are worth something, too! And we save money in some places so we can spend a little more in others, don’t we? So all the money you save by being frugal more than makes up for the extra you spend on the spray.
In deciding which sunscreen is the better option, you should also take into account the fact that you use less of the spray stuff per use, so it actually wastes less and lasts longer.
Glad you had a good vacation!
Anything that helps make sunscreen easier for use is a good thing, IMHO. Most people don’t wear it often enough, so it’s great to hear about folks using it regularly!
I am glad you use sunscreen on you and your kids. My mother has had skin cancer twice.
Yup-gotta protect the kiddos!
Actually, though that sunscreen will prevent them from burning, nothing in it will protect them from the skin damaging UVA rays. The ONLY 3 ingredients that work for UVA rays are Parsol 1789 (avobenzone), titanium oxide and zinc oxide.
The ingredients in that sunscreen only protect from UVB rays and that’s what SPF indicates.
Sunscreen is expensive but you need to read labels, otherwise it’s just a complete waste of money,
Thanks for the info Anon.