Sunscreen for the beach

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As a youngster visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast, I hated wearing sunscreen. I wanted a carefree day to swim in the blue Gulf waters, build castles from the sugary sands or anticipate a seafood feast prepared from the fresh catch available at stores in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach.
But without fail, going without sunscreen meant one thing: a week of agony because of sunburn.
In those days, options were limited for sun protection. There was zinc oxide for faces (it was greasy and streaky and never got absorbed) plus a few items that smelled like fermented coconut.
On a recent beach visit, I forgot to pack the usual sun arsenal, so I sent my husband to a nearby store. His selections left me surprised - and sun-protected!
Zinc oxide has come a long way (baby). For children, it comes tinted to add an element of fun. For adults, there are formulas that are odorless and that disappear.
Sunscreens have progressed as well. There are special formulations for babies, for people engaged in sports and for those like me who are super-sensitive to fragrances as well as rays. There are lotions, creams and sprays, and they come in sizes to fit every situation, from hanging from a key ring to being large enough to protect a big family.
Just remember, sun protection is only is as good as the person using it. Reapplications are vital.

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