The "Rating The Lotions" Story

It was an ordinary day. Going through the box of sun-tan lotions that we have left over from last year. I count 9 bottles that are either half full or half empty, depending how you view it. I was reading an article in a magazine about the magnitude of sunscreens and which are the best. One magazine polled their social media communities and asked which lotions are the most popular and most used lotions. Seems that the #1 lotion is Hawaiian Tropic. People love the sheer coverage and tropical smell. I must admit that it does smell like coconut, but it costs a pretty penny. Well I do have a bottle of Hawaiian Tropic with an SPF of 30. And, I guess you do know that SPF stands for sun protection factor. A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will delay the onset of a sunburn in a person who would otherwise burn in 10 minutes to burn in 150 minutes. The SPF 15 sunscreen allows a person to stay out in the sun 15 times longer. Now, you do have to realize that everyone burns differently. Someone with a dark complexion will probably take longer to burn than someone who is ghostly white. As my doctor said to me after I told him on my yearly visit that I used a 60 SPF sunscreen that he had recommended, "Looks like it didn't work!" So I went out and bought the 80 SPF. I probably got in the water too soon after applying the sunscreen and it all washed off. There are just so many factors to consider. Anyway, I also have 3 bottles of the #5 most favorite sunscreen, Coppertone Sport. This also got good reviews because it smells good. I have bottles of 80, 50 and 15 SPF. I do have 4 bottles of the lotion that Carol and I use the most, #6 NO-AD. Called No Ad because they don't advertise it and therefore can sell larger quantities for lower prices. And it works since it is #6 on the list. I have been using the higher numbered SPF because of the trouble I have with skin cancer. Use it many times during the day and end up using a bottle or more of it during a week. I have one other type of sunscreen that didn't make the list and that is the Vanicreme 60 which is recommended by my dermatologist. Sells in tubes in a drugstore and isn't cheap. And, according to my dermatologist, it doesn't work that well. It doesn't have a good smell, is so thick you need a putty knife to put it on and is hard to rub in to your skin. After the one tube I have purchased runs out, I will probably not buy anymore of it. Well, I will need to head to the store sometime in the near future and pick up another supply of NO-AD for our upcoming spring and summer trips. Lather myself and head to the beach. Maybe I'll see you there. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.