On Test - Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sun Screen
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 8:57PM 
Alita, @TexasDevin's wife, was kind enough to give me sunscreen on race day that was far superior to anything I've used before. I finished the race with just a few red spots where it had rubbed off, which is typical of all sunscreens.
Triathletes need to take Sun protection extremely seriously. We spend far too much time in the Sun and skin cancer is probably going to take us out before a car ever does. The damage adds up and everybody should have a conversation with a dermatologist for a good scare.
As a former lifeguard and general idiot, I've spent way too much time in the Sun. I go to great lengths to avoid it now, training early and late in the day and indoors as much as possible. I also keep on top of sunscreen developments and try to use what is best.
You will notice the bottle above has broad-spectrum Helioplex in it. You want something like that. There is two kinds of rays that burn: UVA and UVB, and most sunscreens don't protect against both and don't qualify as "broad spectrum".
This stuff went on easily, rubbed in without a mess, and has a crazy-high SPF. Good stuff for working out or racing in the Sun.
You can search Consumer Reports for their tests on sunscreens in the past few years. They proved that not all of them are created equally and the UVA/UVB issue is very real. Do your research and get the best for your skin; you'll be wearing it for the rest of your life. How long that is depends on you.
Reader Comments (4)
that sunscreen is the bomb
What a great post. You are absolutely right and a great example. As someone who had a melanoma and (so far) survived, getting the message across 'don't wait until its too late' is spot on (pun intended).
Keep motivating.
I found this one really oily, but some protection is always better than none!
That's interesting, as I have picked this particular brand because it did NOT feel oily to me. I felt like I applied it and it soaked in and I completely forgot about it with no oily residue.
To each his own, I suppose.