What You Should Know About Sunscreen + Blue Lizard Sunscreen Review

As a melanoma skin cancer survivor, I’ve learned a LOT about sunscreen. In this post, I share 4 things YOU should know about wearing sunscreen plus a Blue Lizard Sunscreen Review.

In case you haven’t been a reader for long or it’s your first time at SEBG, it’s appropriate for me to share that…

I’m a Melanoma Survivor.

In fact – at the end of this month, I will be celebrating my 14th birthday being melanoma free! Just 5 months after getting married, at the age of 26, I went to a dermatologist for the first time for a skin screening.

I had a mole on my lower leg that seemed to have been changing for a year or so and just felt that something wasn’t right. Turns out it wasn’t. My biopsy came back as Melanoma.

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, these cancerous growths develop when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations (genetic defects) that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. It is estimated that 9,940 people will die from melanoma in 2015. – Source.

Luckily, my Melanoma had been caught early enough that my surgeon was able to remove all the cancerous cells with surgery, without the use of any other types of treatment. I have been melanoma-free for almost 14 years now – say it with me, WAHOO!

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After the diagnosis, I swore to myself that I would never be embarrassed of my pale white, full of freckles, skin and I would embrace sunscreen like never before… and I have. It was definitely a wake up call and now I share with anyone who will listen the things I learned from going through this health scare.

So today, I’m going to share with you the 4 Most Important Things About Sunscreen from my perspective – a Skin Cancer Survivor!

Wear It

Simple, right?  But it’s true, don’t just buy sunscreen for your kids or just take some along with you when you go to the beach, wear it and wear it every day.

Sunscreen can be worn right under your normal moisturizer and makeup for your face, which is so important, but don’t forget about the rest of your body!

Melanoma most frequently appear on the upper back, torso, lower legs, head and neck. In females 15-29 years old, the torso/trunk is the most common location for developing melanoma, which may be due to high-risk tanning behaviors. – Source.

So what should you take from that [other than run, don’t walk, far far away from tanning beds]?  Apply sunscreen everywhere. I know when I used to go out in the sun, I put sunscreen on my face and shoulders – neglecting my legs, which is where my Melanoma appeared.

In addition to sunscreen, cover up!  I like to wear full body suits like my Albion Fit swimsuit so I’ve got back up to my sunscreen. I also use any excuse I can to wear a fun sun hat!

Reapply Your Sunscreen

It’s important to know that dermatologists recommend reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours. That means a moisturizer or makeup with sunscreen in it, is not going to give you protection all day. You need to reapply at least every 2 hours.

If you are in water, like at the lake, pool, or at the beach – you’ll have to reapply even more often. Be sure to read on your sunscreen package how long it lasts in water.

Wear the Right Amount of Sunscreen

Why wear it if you’re not going to wear it correctly? Well, even a small amount of sunscreen is better than none, BUT it’s important to know just how much you should be applying.

Blue Lizard Sunscreen recommends a using 1 ounce for an application – that’s about a shot glass full of sunscreen each time you apply. And once isn’t enough – remember, you should reapply every 2 hours to maintain your sunscreen’s SPF.

Choose the Right Sunscreen

Now you know you need to be wearing it and you know how much you should be wearing… but oh my at the choices in the sunscreen aisles! What should you look for in a sunscreen?

Broad Specturm, UVA/UVB protection, Titanium Dioxide, and Zinc Oxide are some of the terms that were singled out for me when I asked my dermatologist what I should be looking for in a sunscreen. Blue Lizard Sunscreen fits all 3 of those.

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen originated in Australia, where standards for sunscreen are the highest in the world. Even though Blue Lizard is now manufactured in the U.S., we still adhere to those strict standards to offer the most advanced formulations available in sun protection.

Using only the highest quality ingredients, Blue Lizard delivers clinically proven, broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection in a mineral-based, water-resistant, SPF 30+ formulation. Our patented BPA-free Smart Bottle™ changes colors in the presence of harmful UV rays, reminding you to cover up.

We offer an array of products for every skin type and outdoor need. It’s no wonder Blue Lizard is the brand most recommended by pediatricians, dermatologists, pharmacists, and moms that know a thing or two, nationwide.

For those who are interested, check out how EWG rates Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen.

Blue Lizard Sunscreen Review

I use Blue Lizard Sunscreen on myself and my girls, both on our face and body. I’ve found that the sensitive version works best as some sunscreens with zinc oxide cause bumps on our faces. This one doesn’t.

blue lizard sunscreen face vs sensitive

As long as we reapply like we should [remember every 2 hours!], this sunscreen totally protects us. It was even one item that I made my Disney Cruise Packing List too!

Pale is In! If there is anything I can teach my girls, it’s to be happy in the skin that they’re in – pale, white, full of freckles, or smooth. When I was a teenager I laid in more tanning beds than I care to admit.

I let the “Get a base tan, it’ll keep you from getting sun burnt” lie fill my head.  Now we know better… apply sunscreen, don’t tan. It is not worth it.

I’m also very excited about their Sensitive formula as both girls and I have sensitive skin when it comes to sunscreens and I always have an issue with sunscreens on my Face – loving seeing that they have a few different formulas.

My Mom’s Dermatologist actually recommended a local sunscreen to her years ago and she passed the name on to me then, which just happened to be Blue Lizard – because it’s manufactured quite local to us, in fact in the town where I graduated college!

This post was originally published in April 2015. The latest update was April 2023.