Disclaimer: I received Blue Lizard sunscreen to review and giveaway. But all opinions are my own. I wasn't compensated in any other way. This is serious!
I don't know how to start tactfully so I will just start with the fact that May is the start of summer in California but it is also, appropriately enough, Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Skin CANCER. Yes, the C word. I hate that word and all that it stands for and everyone it has hurt.
Turns out, skin cancer is serious. There are 3 common types of skin cancer and melanoma is the most deadly. Melanoma kills an estimated 9,940 people in the US annually. In March, SD Dad was diagnosed with melanoma on his arm. It was found during a routine dermatology screen. Thank goodness for the routine visits because it was found early and he had to have a pretty good size chunk removed from his arm.
My cousin's sister in law is a pretty awesome dermatologist who cares about ingredients, is a mom and cares about SD Dad. She recommended Blue Lizard as the sunscreen we MUST use on ourselves and our kids. The SDKidz are only half Indian so they need sunscreen all the time too! So, before I even contacted Blue Lizard about working with them on a review, I was already using their products. We have bottles of this stashed EVERYWHERE in our house, our cars, my purse and our gym bags. SD Dad is an avid cyclist and I am a runner. With the amount of time we spend outdoors, sunscreen is a MUST!
These are a few of the major reasons why Blue Lizard Sunscreen is recommended by dermatologists and moms everywhere:
· Originally created in Australia, where sunscreen standards are the strictest in the world. Blue Lizard is now made in the U.S., in Johnson City, Tenn.· Pharmaceutical-grade sunscreen made by Crown Laboratories with the highest quality ingredients.
· Ranked as one of the top sunscreens by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
· Five sunscreen formulas available: Baby, Sensitive, Face, Sport & Regular – All are broad spectrum UVA/UVB coverage (SPF 30+…all the coverage you need!)
· Baby & Sensitive are paraben-free, chemical-free and fragrance-free; Face is also oil-free and all formulations are mineral-based containing Zinc Oxide.
· Sport & Regular are extremely water resistant. These formulas meet Australian standards of staying on in 240 minutes of whirlpool water.
· Blue Lizard’s patented PBA-free Smart Bottle™ changes color from white to blue (or pink for Baby formula) when it is exposed to harmful UV rays reminding you to put on sunscreen.
So on Memorial Day, me and some of my Moms Run This Town mommas headed out for a hike. It was very cloudy and misty and not a day you would expect UV rays.
It was perfect tough hike weather though!
I wanted to climb out on to the "Potato Chip" but I was scared! So slippery!
But I did stop to take a picture of the sunscreen and you can see that even fresh out of my hydration pack, the lid is a little bluish!
Then, when I got home, I decided to take a picture of everything I am giving away. A 3oz Face, 3oz Sensitive, 3oz Sport, 2 Baby sachets and a color-change bracelet in blue bag (not pictured). (ARV: $ 44.17) But look...after being in the open for just a few minutes, the lids are blue. On a cloudy day! The bracelet you see and the lids you see are specially designed to change color when exposed to UV rays! This was a HUGE eye opener for us! Even on a cloudy day with no sun, there are UV rays looking to cause damage! (You can read more about Blue Lizard here)
Blue Lizard has very generously agreed to sponsor a GIVEAWAY for you. They have also given me a code to share with my readers: Use code P20SDMOM for 20% OFF orders over $35. (Expiration 8/31/15). My family uses this sunscreen everyday. This is a staple in our house which is why I reached out to them so I could share it with you!
Contest runs 5/26/2015 to 6/1/15 at 11:59 P.M. PST
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. 1 winner will be selected via the Giveaway widget. Open to Residents of the US 18 years of age or older. Must have a non P.O. Box mailing address. Winner must have a valid email address.
Winner will notified via email (if available) and/or blog post, and will have 24 hours to claim prize. If original winner does not claim prize within 24 hours, an alternate winner(s) will be selected.
Contestants must enter on the Giveaway widget in order to win.
All winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn. Winner will be provided the prize directly from Blue Lizard. Substitutions unlikely but may apply. SD Mom not responsible for failure of Blue Lizard to deliver product.
Contestants must enter on the Giveaway widget in order to win.
All winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn. Winner will be provided the prize directly from Blue Lizard. Substitutions unlikely but may apply. SD Mom not responsible for failure of Blue Lizard to deliver product.
As always, I am linking up with Sara at Lakeshore Runner for Tried it Tuesday!
I am also linking up with Tuesdays on The Run with the awesome Patty from My No-Guilt Life, Erika from MCM Mama Runs and April from Run the Great Wide Somewhere.
So tell me, have you had any experience in your life with skin cancer? How about someone you love? Be honest, do you use sunscreen now? I would use Blue lizard whether they sent me the sunscreen or not. We are loyal forever fans in this house!
As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom
I use sunscreen every day
ReplyDeleteI do not know anyone with skin cancer but have known several women who have battled, and thankfully won, their battle against breast cancer. Even though I'm African-American, I ALWAYS wear sunscreen!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this brand! LOVE the idea of the bottle turning blue! Need to go buy some now!!
ReplyDeleteKristin Goodson
ReplyDeletemarleykristin@hotmail.com
I don't know anyone close to me who has dealt with skin cancer. I do learn about skin cancer and the effects of sun damage and it motivates me to protect myself. I don't want to risk my life especially since I have a son!
This is a great giveaway. I am extremely fair skinned and have to get checked every 6 months because I had a precancerous mole removed when I was younger. I ALWAYS wear sunblock and am very conscious of the sun when I am out because I am terrified of getting skin cancer.
ReplyDeleteWearingsunscreen is a must! Even in the winter when it's not sunny out. I wear it everyday. Not just for outside runs.
ReplyDeleteYes - definitely need to be more careful about this. i haven't lost anyone I love YET. Hope to keep it that way.
ReplyDeleteYes, we wear sunscreen
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine has had skin cancer and now must get checked regularly! I try to remember to wear it every day.
ReplyDeleteskkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
Thank you for sharing! I have recently been on the search for a new sunscreen with good ingredients. This is perfect timing!
ReplyDeleteNo skin cancer, but I got sick from the sun when I was younger and now I am careful with my kids.
ReplyDeleteyes, my sister and my mom. I use sunscreen daily year round and keep some with me I also try to stay covered up a hat shirt, etc.
ReplyDeleteNot yet. I'm surprised. I'm not careful at all....learning from my mistakes and being careful with the kids.
ReplyDeleteMy dad had melanoma. I had my first "thing" cut out of the back of my leg almost two years ago. I try to wear sunscreen every day.
ReplyDeleteI don't use sunscreen like I should. I'm half African-American so I generally don't burn, but I do know that doesn't matter and I SHOULD use it.
ReplyDeleteMy dad had skin cancer and had surgery on his arm. He was lucky to catch it early as it had not spread to his lymph nodes yet. It was scary though. I'm even more careful about my sun exposure now.
ReplyDeleteI always try to use sunscreen, working in healthcare it's unfortunately something that I see a lot with more active people
ReplyDeleteno but I always wear sunscreen.
ReplyDeleteI love Blue Lizard! It's one of about 3 brands that I buy and use on my kids. With super pale skin, it's a necessity.
ReplyDeleteI try to remember to use sunscreen as often as possible. My grandma had melanoma many years ago.
ReplyDeleteMy dad has had skin cancer more times than I can count, unfortunately. I am a sun baby but you can bet that I slather sunscreen on like it's my job!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother has had some cancerous spots removed and I always wear SPF now! I wish my mom would have made use it more as kids b/c I had so many burns as a child.
ReplyDeleteI do, and try to be very good about sunscreen use!
ReplyDeleteOne of the attorneys I met in my current job died of melanoma. He had previously had various patches of his skin removed. Then he went into the hospital to have some more serious, related surgery. On Thursday he was emailing people saying he'd be back in touch on Monday. He died, from the cancer, over the weekend. People simply do not understand how serious skin cancer is. Yes, when caught early it can often be removed and nothing more happens; but that's not always the case.
ReplyDeleteOh, and tanning beds are evil and should be illegal.
No skin cancer and I try to use sunscreen
ReplyDeletemy mom and uncle have both had skin cancer...I use sunscreen too!!
ReplyDeleteI have not had skin cancer. I wear sunscreen when I spend time outside -- I have sensitive skin that burns easy.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I know anyone that has had melanoma. I try to wear sunscreen daily.
ReplyDeleteFortunately no, but I wear sunscreen all the time.
ReplyDeleteWe have not had any skin cancer in the family. We use sunscreen daily.
ReplyDeleteSadie B.
My mother-in-law has skin cancer. I wear sunscreen all the time, especially since I live in the desert.
ReplyDeleteMy grandma and aunt have both had skin cancer on their heads, face, hands and arms from too much time in the sun while gardening. It has caused me to think twice before heading to the beach or out for a run.
ReplyDeleteI've had an uncle with skin cancer. I'm a ginger, so I'm always careful to try and use sunscreen. I've learned my burned lesson more than once.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anyone who has had skin cancer and I am allergic to many different types of sunblock but put it on my kids every day.
ReplyDeleteI have several family members who have had skin cancer - fortunately no melanoma.
ReplyDeleteI do use sunscreen. I don't know anyone with skin cancer.
ReplyDeleteMy mom had skin cancer removed and since then I get checked every year. Last year I had a mole removed that was pre-cancerous so I am very cautious and always wear sunscreen - I make sure my kids always have it on too.
ReplyDeletedemureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
Yes, we all use sunscreen now.
ReplyDeleteNo skin cancer in my family. When she was two, my daughter's father brought her back from a weekend visitation with a severe sunburn. I had to take her to the ER for treatment. Since then, I insist on sunscreen for all my kids.
ReplyDelete