Infomercial time

Yes, Hornblower, the rabid anti-consumerist, won't let kids watch commercial TV, fast-forwards through all the advertising in front of videos - that Hornblower, will now dedicate a post to tell you about a product.

But it's all in good cause. Because this product has the capacity to save lives.

It is sunscreen. And not just any sunscreen - this is the best sunscreen I've tried to date. I am just a teeny bit obsessed on this subject, and have tried pretty damn near every sunscreen on the market. Roo is a freckled red haired god who looks like he should be skipping around heather wearing a kilt and wrapped in a blanket of fog. He did not evolve to be in the sun. I'm blond & blue-eyed, & though my skin does actually tan in a lovely way, I'm paranoid about skin cancer & ugly, old, sun-damaged skin. I have had my share of bad sunburns as a child which put me at higher risk for problems now. Amelia & Hugo are both blue-eyed blondes. We spend a lot of time outside; we love beaches and boats and water play. We wear UV shirts, and hats. And we wear lots of sunscreen. Every day from spring to fall. I actually wear it year round because I found a light foundation I like which is SPF 15.

This is all just to say - I know my sunscreen & I'm telling you, this baby is good.



It's Neutrogena ACTIVE. Comes in SPF 30 & SPF 45 (I get the 45). And the cool thing about it is that a few minutes after putting it on, it dries to an invisible haze. Really! There is no greasy film left on your skin. It is truly amazing. Anyone with oily skin, or anyone who doesn't like the heavy feel of most sunscreens, will really be surprised by the feel of this one.

And remember folks, you can be conservative in your social views and in your politics and in your finances .... but with sunscreen you must be LIBERAL. Don't skimp it on - slather it on. We go through bottles and bottles of it each year.

Another thing: sunscreen needs to soak into the skin for it to work. You need to apply it at least 15 minutes prior to exposure to the sun. If you apply it when you get to the beach (as I see many families doing), the first 15 minutes you are there, you are not fully protected.

Oh, and one more thing. Skin cancer isn't just about ugly moles that need to be carved off your body. It kills. Skin cancer can enter the blood stream and be carried away and lodge in all kinds of organs. It is deadly.