SPF

[MiketheKid]

How much stronger is the sun in the Caribbean compared to up north? I live in NY, near the beach, and usually use SPF 4 or 8. I don't have a very dark complexion or anything, I guess I'm just not extremely prone to burning (though I def. will burn if I have no sunscreen).

What SPF would everyone recommend while I'm down there? I don't want to burn, but would like to tan a bit, too. I just keep hearing about how much more intense the sun is down there.

[Cruise Specialist]

Mike use no less then a 30 SPF the Caribbean sun is brutal.

[GenCan]

Originally posted by MiketheKid:
How much stronger is the sun in the Caribbean compared to up north? I live in NY, near the beach, and usually use SPF 4 or 8. I don't have a very dark complexion or anything, I guess I'm just not extremely prone to burning (though I def. will burn if I have no sunscreen).

What SPF would everyone recommend while I'm down there? I don't want to burn, but would like to tan a bit, too. I just keep hearing about how much more intense the sun is down there.

I use SPF 30 minimum.

[MiketheKid]

and do you get any sort of tan with 30?

[drlivingston]

I always use my Clinique spf 15... It is spray on and oil free. Even without a good base tan, I do not burn while wearing this stuff.

[Sandy]

I live in NY, near the beach,

Jones? Gilgo?

I don't tan, I just burn and peel, so I use 45. My dermatologist tells me that even getting a tan is not good for your skin.

Sandy

[GenCan]

Originally posted by MiketheKid:
and do you get any sort of tan with 30?

I was born with a natural tan. :-)
I wear sunscreen everyday. I'm more concerned with pre-mature wrinkling than anything.

Have you tried sunless tanning, Mike? Spray on tans are great and they look natural. Also, there are several products that you apply like lotion and gradually get darker.

[MiketheKid]

I'm about 15-20 minutes from Jones Beach, but thats not my beach of choice (a bit too crowded). I ususally go to this "private" beach on Point Lookout called "Malibu". Also, a friend of mine has an apartment in Long Beach about 3 blocks from the water, so I've been there alot. Are you familiar with any of this?

And as for spray-on tans or tanning creams - I find it difficult to pay for something that is free. I've also seen some bad, orange fake tans that have turned me off. I know it would be alot healthier in the long run. I'm also not a tanning fanatic who spends all day in the sun, and I almost always wear some sort of SPF, so I'm not too concerned with wrinkles. Plus, I'm too young and stupid to be worried about wrinkles yet anyway, so I'll just pay the price in 20 years.

[Larry in Miami]

I normally use SPF 30.

[Chef Ken]

Yes the Caribbean sun is intense. I use Australian Gold, SPF 8. I believe it's more about watching the amount of time you spend out there. The sun from 1:00 to about 3:00 can fry your skin if you simply use a tanning oil. Been there, done that.