KINeSYS Sunscreen: Sun Protection Beyond Summer - Sun Safety Series

Although most of us have prolonged sun exposure during the summer months, sun protection should not be limited to June through September. Parts of our bodies still get exposed to the sun's UV the rest of the year, so it's definitely a good idea to keep sun safety in our minds. Even if we are not directly under the sun, several surfaces do reflect UV.

My Postpartum-Friendly Swimsuit

I gave birth during the spring and knew that I would not be bikini ready for the summer. Actually, since having Big B, I haven't worn a bikini. I still wear 2-piece swimsuits, but now, I'm all about the tankini with matching bottom. I own one pair, something vintage-inspired, and wanted a different style from that. I was thrilled to find a swimsuit that was cute and sporty. More importantly, it is made of UPF material for sun ptotection.

Sun Protection All Summer Long with Solartex (Giveaway)

As school starts and summer slowly fades away, I am so happy that I found so many amazing companies that offer sun protection gear to share with you during my Sun Safety Series 2012. Swim suits with sun protection built in are now a must for my family. I have full confidence that my children's skin were completely protected from the sun's harsh UV because of these awesome products.

All-Natural Sunscreen? Yes, Please.

Prior to having kids, I was not as eco-conscious and didn't go out of my way to look for natural/organic ingredients. My purchasing behavior has certainly changed, especially when it comes to my kids. I look first and foremost at the ingredients when buying products for my kids' personal use. In addition, I read reviews from other green parents.

Flap Happy® Hat Review (Sun Safety Series 2012)

When my son was younger he didn't like to wear hats. I didn't want to force him to wear them and hoped that he would eventually take to them. This past year, he decided that he likes wearing hats after all, to my relief. Hats are a great way to protect your face and neck from the sun. We own several types of hats from baseball caps to bucket hats. It's definitely more than a fashion statement, it's about sun protection.

Lightspeed® Canopy Review (Sun Safety Series 2012)

Keeping cool under shade is one way to reduce sun damage caused by UV rays. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies under 6 months of age should not have prolonged exposure to the sun. However, keeping the baby indoors (and me along with him) is not always possible when I have an active preschooler who loves to be outdoors. I know it's not always easy to find shade at the beach, lake, or park. The solution for me was to bring along my own shade. Last year we discovered awesome outdoor gear to keep us protected from the sun. We toted our Lightspeed® Quick Shelter everywhere: lake, park, local fairs. This year, as our family grew by one, we upgraded to the Canopy. We've taken it out for a test drive and we love it so far.

Baby Banz Chlorine Resistant Suit Review (Sun Safety Series 2012)

Summer is right around the corner and water activities will abound. My oldest son loves playing in the water and I have no doubt that the baby will too. Of course, being out in the water and under the sun means diligence in sun protection. In search for products to spotlight for the Sun Safety Series 2012, I found Baby Banz.

Sun Protection Zone Greenbeanz Hooded Jacket Review & Giveaway (Sun Safety Series 2012)

According to the CDC, one way to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays is to wear long sleeves and pants. I've worn long sleeves made of very thin, light material and I doubt they provided any protection. One of the reasons I like clothing made of UPF material is that sun protection is built in. I don't have to worry about reapplying sunscreen because the protection doesn't wear off over time or if subjected to sweat or water. UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor and it is how much UV radiation the fabric blocks. My family owns several outerwear and swimwear made of UPF fabric and we love them.

Super Quick & Easy Kale Chips

As the holidays (and massive feasting) are right around the corner, I thought I'd share a snack that is not only guilt-free, but is actually good for you. Homemade kale chips are easy to make, free of preservatives, better than store-bought chips (even the healthy alternatives), and did I mention easy to make? But before I get to the recipe, just a little bit of background info.

Goodbye Sun Safety Series

As National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month comes to a close, so does my Sun Safety Series. Once again, I would like to acknowledge and thank the following companies for their support and sponsorship.

REVIEW: Sport-Brella

SUN SAFETY SERIES

In continuing with my Sun Safety Series, I review an umbrella which is a great on the go item for parents with active children. It not only provides shade and protection from the sun's damaging UV rays, but also from other elements like rain. Remember, today is "Don't Fry Day," so be safe: use sunscreen, wear protective clothing and accessories, and seek shade when outdoors.

PRODUCT

Manufacturer

SKLZ

Social Networks

Facebook

Products

Sport-Brella

Materials

100% polyester

Made In 

China

Price

$59.99

MY THOUGHTS

Assembly

All products are assembled.

Design 

This umbrella is huge, 8 feet wide. It offers a lot of protection from the sun, thanks to its circumference and the side flaps. The "windows" on the Sportbrella are awesome. Although this umbrella provided shade, when there was no wind, it got hot underneath. We usually opened the "windows" to cool off. I would say that it's more stable on grass, at least the stakes are more secure on grass than on sand. The company does provide bags for sand to stabilize the umbrella. I love that the material is UPF 50+ for sun protection. 

Durability

So far, so good.

Functionality

This has been a useful product for us. My family has used it at the beach and at the park. It was perfect for providing coverage while my son was building sand castles. My aunt actually bought one after she saw us use it at the beach. We have repositioned the Sport-Brella to provide maximum coverage, since the sun moves throughout the day. It's was easy since the whole thing is not too heavy. It was also easy to set up and take down, like most umbrellas.

Price

I bought the Sport-Brella at Costco last year and I don't remember paying $59.99. It is a bit pricey. However, I am guessing that most good quality outdoor equipment doesn't come cheap.

Safety

We have not had any safety issues with this product.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. The product in this review was purchased by my family. The opinions expressed in this post are solely mine. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

REVIEW: Sun Protection Zone DuckSkinz

SUN SAFETY SERIES

For my Sun Safety Series, I've reviewed products for children and the whole family. I now introduce a product just for moms (and dads). My mom gave me this item as a gift, knowing how much I care about sun protection.

PRODUCT

Manufacturer

Social Networks

Facebook, Twitter

Product

DuckSkinz

Materials

27% nano bamboo charcoal, 63% recycle polysester, 10% spandex; SPF 100, UPF 50+

Made In

Thailand

Price 

$45.00

MY THOUGHTS

Design 

I like that my DuckSkinz is pink. I like that my DuckSkinz has a full-zip closure. I love that my DuckSkinz offers sun protection due to the UPF material used. The men's DuckSkinz has more color options, unlike the women's, which only comes in pink.

Durability

I've had this for almost a year and it still looks good, not worn out at all. I usually wash in the washer and hung to dry, not under direct sunlight.

Functionality

I have used this jogging, taking walks with my son, and as a cover up at the pool. If the weather is not too hot, I've worn it outside instead of using sunscreen. It's great. I would wear it golfing, but I haven't touched my clubs in years. My husband has worn his DuckSkinz fishing and golfing. He likes it and feels very comfortable being active in it.

Price

It is a bit pricey, but you are paying for a good quality all-purpose outerwear. Not that I've looked, but I don't know of other comparable products that are cheaper.

Safety

I have not had any safety issues with this product.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. The product in this review was purchased by my family. The opinions expressed in this post are solely mine. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review. I received permission from the sponsor to post their trademarked brand/logo on my blog. 

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Sun Protection Zone SunSkinz (US) 5/29

SUN SAFETY SERIES

There are several ways of protecting children from the sun's damaging UV rays including applying sunscreen, staying under the shade, and wearing protective gear (clothes, hats, sun glasses). For my Sun Safety Series, I've reviewed several products that my family just love; from sunscreens (TruKid™, Episencial®) to shelters (Quick Shelter). Another product we love offers sun protection that doesn't wash off. This company created swimwear that is both fashionable and offers broad spectrum protection.

PRODUCT

Manufacturer

Social Networks

Facebook, Twitter

Materials

High-density yarn

Made In

Mexico

Product

SunSkinz Long Sleeve Suit

SunSkinz Long Sleeve Rash Guard

SunSkinz Shorts

Price

$15 - $25

MY THOUGHTS

Design

Both the Long Sleeve Suit and Long Sleeve Rash Guard are comfortable to wear and allow for movement. He doesn't wear the Shorts because they fall off. The slim elastic is not very tight and doesn't provide support. Did I mention the cute designs? I love the orange Long Sleeve Rash Guard with the turtle. What's nice about the one piece is that there are snaps which allowed for easy diaper changes.

Durability

Maintenance is easy, just throw in the wash and hang to dry. 

Functionality

I discovered Sun Protection Zone during a Costco Roadshow. At first I was hesitant about buying it because my son already had a couple of swimsuits, but was glad I did. My son loves the water. We have a pool, live near a lake, and the beach is 15 minutes away. Trying to get him away from the water long enough to reapply sunscreen is sometimes challenging. I didn't have to worry about that when he wore his SunSkinz. As their tag line suggests, it's protection that doesn't wash off. Yes, I still reapplied sunscreen on his legs and face, but at least it's not the whole body - toddlers are so impatient. SunSkinz offers 100 SPF/UPF 50+ Maximum Broad Spectrum UV Protection and functions in chlorine and salt water. I would definitely recommend this product to parents. 

Safe

We have not had any safety issues with these products.

GIVEAWAY

Prize

A SunSkinz swimwear of your choice.

Rules

1. Open to US residents, 18 years and older. 

2. You must complete the mandatory entry before the extra entries. Failure to complete the mandatory entry disqualifies all of your entries.

3. Leave a separate comment for each entry.

4. If you are selected, I will verify all of your comments. If I can not verify your comments, I will choose a new winner.

5. The winner will be selected by random.org and notified by email. 

6. The winner will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. 

7. Giveaway sponsor will be responsible for shipping prize to the winner.

Timeframe 

Giveaway ends May 29, 2011.

Mandatory Entry

Visit the Sun Protection Zone website and comment on what product you would choose if you won.

Extra Entries

Keep in touch with Just Another Hat (1 entry per method)

Google Friend Connect (Follow button on the right sidebar) 

Email - only a confirmed subscription will count

Facebook - include your first name and last initial; only "likes" from personal accounts will count because a page "like" does not affect statistics

Twitter - include your username

Spread the word about the giveaway (1 entry per method)

Blog, Twitter, Digg, Stumble (Sharing is Caring button at bottom of post)

Note: Please include the permalink in your comment. Feel free to use the sample below. Please do not post on your Facebook wall. Facebook has a rule against posting on your wall as an entry to contests.  

@JustAnotherHat #giveaway: #win a SunSkinz #swimwear of your choice (US) - ends 5/29. Sponsor: @SunProtectZone http://tinyurl.com/3k3obnz

Enter my other giveaways (1 entry per giveaway)

Show some sponsor love (1 entry per method)

Facebook, Twitter

Good luck!

Thanks to Sun Protection Zone for sponsoring my giveaway.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. The products I reviewed were purchased by my family. The sponsor is providing the winner with the prize. The opinions expressed in this post are solely mine. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review. Facebook is not associated, in any way, with this giveaway.

REVIEW: Episencial Protective Face Balm & Soothing Cream

SUN SAFETY SERIES

A while back, I posted a review of the Episencial® Sunny Sunscreen. Now, I have the pleasure of sharing two more products from this awesome company for my Sun Safety Series. 

PRODUCT

Manufacturer

Social Networking

Facebook, Twitter

Product

Protective Face Balm

Soothing Cream

Active Ingredients

Protective Face Balm: Zinc Oxide

Soothing Cream: Oat Kernel Extract

What you won't find: synthetic additives  

Made In

US

Price

Protective Face Balm $5.99/0.75oz

Soothing Cream $10.99/4oz

Current Promotion

Episencial® is partnering with Dermstore.com in an effort to spread the word about Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Get 15% off all Episencial® products with the purchase of Episencial® Sunny Sunscreen! Use Promo code: DSSUNNY. This offer is valid from May 16-23 only.

MY THOUGHTS 

Design

Similar to the Sunny Sunscreen, the Protective Face Balm and Soothing Cream were easy to apply, not thick or greasy. Both have a very faint fragrance, but nothing noticeable after application.  My son and I used the face balm on our lips, and you do have to rub it in a little bit so that you don't see a residue. As an Eric Carle fan, I love all the packaging for Episencial® products. My son noticed the caterpillar right away on the soothing cream and face balm tubes. I think that seeing the caterpillar made him excited to try the products. In addition to oat extract, the soothing cream has calendula; it's my number one trusted ingredient for treating my son's rashes. Although designed for dry, itchy, irritated skin, the cream can also be used soothe after sun exposure.

Functionality

I used the Sunny Sunscreen on my son's face and used the face balm on his lips. I have been looking for a natural lip balm for my son and was glad to have this to try. He kept licking his lips after I put it on (I've tasted it, it's not flavored), since this product is made from all natural ingredients, I was not concerned at all. I also used the face balm on my very chapped lips. After about 48 hours of use, on and off, my lips were once again smooth. Unfortunately for my son, he got a very mild rash on his bottom. We've been using briefs for potty training for the last few weeks, so it's not a diaper/pull-up rash. Whatever it was, it was gone after 1 "treatment" of the soothing cream. I am a fan. 

Price

These are a bit pricey, but definitely comparable to other natural, organic products on the market. 

Safety

We have not had any safety issues with this product. Both my son and I have tasted the face balm and no reaction.

GIVEAWAY - CLOSED

Thanks to Episencial® for sponsoring my giveaway.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received the products for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this post are solely mine. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review. I received permission from the company to use their trademarked brand in my blog. Facebook is not associated, in any way, with this giveaway.

FEATURE: Eco-friendly reusable glass water bottles

SUN SAFETY SERIES
So far in my Sun Safety Series, I have focused on products that are used to prevent damage from UV rays. In this post, I focus on another related topic: hydration. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, keeping yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of (non-alcoholic) fluids is one of the best preventive steps you can take to avoid heat-related illness. Similarly, consumption of alcoholic and high-sugar drinks cause fluid loss. The Institutes of Medicine published a report with guidelines of how much water people should consume. Keep in mind that beverages (like tea and juices) and moisture in foods add to total water intake.(2) In addition to heat, other factors such as elevation, exercise, medical condition, and pregnancy/breast-feeding also affect how much water you should be drinking.(3) In general, women should be drinking approximately 9 cups of water and men 12.5 cups. Water intake for children vary by age.(2) May 1-7, 2011 is Drinking Water Week.

I know of at least four choices for reusable beverages containers for people on-the-go: ceramic, glass, metal, and plastic. One property of glass that makes it superior to the others is that glass will not absorb or leach any thing into the liquid it holds. Naturally derived, glass is chemical, BPA, and phthalate free.(4) Therefore, users do not have to worry about toxicity or any added taste to their beverage. Additionally, glass is 100% recyclable.(5) In my research, I found the following companies that sell reusable glass bottles. Aesthetically, they each have unique features that appeal to a wide variety of personalities and taste. Most of the information presented below were obtained either from the company's website or from a representative. September 2011 is Recycle Glass Month.

Company	Bamboo  Bottle Company™	Be Truly You™	Lifefactory™	Love Bottle	Rivé™	Tekeya®	tap water™
Sample
Volume (oz)	17	20   28	9   16   22	17   32	12   16	16   18   22	9   17   32
Mouth width	Wide	Wide	Wide	Narrow	Wide	Wide	Narrow
Sleeve	Bamboo	None*	Silicone	None*	Silicone	Silicone	None
Beverage temperature	Cold Hot	Cold	Cold	Cold	Cold	Cold Hot	Cold
Dishwasher safe	Yes except bamboo	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Made in	China	Canada China US	France Poland US	China	China	Japan	Italy
Glass material	51% recycled glass	20% recycled glass	Raw materials	25% recycled glass	Raw materials	AcraGlass®	<50% recycled glass
Price range	$25	$16-25	$12.99-21.99	$12-20	$20-25	$19.99-24.99	$10-12CAD

*Sold separately


For more information about the companies and the products they offer, please go to the respective websites.

(1) CDC
(2) Institutes of Medicine
(3) Mayo Clinic
(4) Corning Museum of Glass
(5) CalRecycle

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. The opinions expressed in this post are solely mine. I received permission from the companies to post their images on my blog.