Raise your hand if you’re spending more time outside now that it’s summer!
Raise your hand if you want to make sure your family’s skin is protected from the sun!
Raise your hand if you forget to reapply sunscreen pretty much every day!
You know what? This isn’t working. I can’t see your hands.
I’m going to assume that many of you are like me. You lather up yourself and your kids before going to the beach or the park, and you pack extra sunscreen for later. You have every intention of reapplying after a few hours, and rarely do you do it.
This is so routine for me, it’s ridiculous. I reapply my kids’ and my sunscreen when I notice our skin turning pink. Obviously, this is too late, and we’re busting out the aloe a few hours later to treat our crispy sunburns.
Not cool.
NOT THIS YEAR, THOUGH!
Sorry for yelling, but I’m pretty excited. About a month ago, I was contacted by Sunscreen Bands. Have you guys heard of these? They are bracelet-type things that tell you when it’s time to reapply your sunscreen, and they really work.
You know what doesn’t work? The sunscreen my in-laws bought in bulk when then visited four years ago. I was still using it, and if not for Sunscreen Bands, I wouldn’t have know it was no good until we got home with fuschia skin. Apparently sunscreen does expire, and should be discarded after about three years.
How Sunscreen Bands Work
Apply sunscreen, following the directions on your sunscreen label.
The sunlight will activate the band, turning it dark purple.
Apply sunscreen to the band, and wait 15 minutes before diving in the pool or ocean. Don’t get it wet right away, is what I’m saying.
As you stay in the sun, the band will gradually change color from dark purple to light purple. When the band turns lavender, reapply.
When any part of your Sunscreen Band turns cream, it’s time to get out of the sun or cover up. You have reached your maximum sun exposure for the day based on the SPF of your sunscreen. Cream-colored bands can’t be used again, but can be recycled, as they are made from recyclable materials.
See specific instructions from Sunscreen Bands HERE, but here’s a quick little visual for you.
My kids and I have some delicate, pasty skin, and it deserves better than the attention I’ve been giving it. Now, I can easily see when it’s time to lather up again, and because the system is based on color, even preschoolers can say, “Mom! My bracelet is changing color!” instead of “Mom! My shoulders feel burny!”
I’m not gonna lie, one of my favorite things about Sunscreen Bands is they make my wrist look like I did something cool to need a wristband. Maybe a beer garden? Possibly a concert? Amusement park admission? I’m all being SPF conscious, and looking fly.
Where to Find Sunscreen Bands
These things are everywhere! You can get your own badass bands directly from Sunscreen Bands, or at these other retailers:
A Giveaway!
And now, how about some goodies? Sunscreen Bands is giving one of you a “fun in the sun” gift basket! Enter the Rafflecopter below, before Saturday 7/19/14 at midnight, for several chances to win!
Sunscreen Bands sponsored this post, but the opinions, as always, are my own. a Rafflecopter giveaway
I like winning things.
Fo reals.
Never mind the kid; I need these for MYSELF! I’m terrible at reapplying.
ME, TOO!
How cool are those?!
This is a brilliant idea!
I always forget to reapply sunscreen. And I always end up burned. At least half of the summer I look like a sad lobster. It isn’t good.
I’m right there with you, Tracie. I don’t even want to think about the long term consequences of my poor memory.
This is a brilliant idea, particularly for me….I’m good with getting the kids applied but always forget me, especially re-applying. And when you’re in the sun all day…welll….we’re headed to North Carolina in a few weeks, so I think I need to hunt some down. Although it would be fun to win some, too!!!
Me, too, Jenn! You need these. Order them from Amazon right now, and then when you win, you’ll have some for the last few weeks of summer!
Smart, smart, smart! We need these! Thanks for introducing a cool new product, Amy.
Your fair-skinned family totally needs these. Thanks for the tweet!