I’m always amazed when people tell me they don’t use sunscreen. I’ve even heard medical professionals and outdoor guides say they hate sunscreen. I’d expect both these groups of people to know better. I understand not liking the way sunscreen feels. I don’t, either. But those of us pale-skinned, sun-damaged people who have repeatedly had basal cell skin cancers cut from our various body parts are more willing to put up with greasiness. And if you’ve had melanoma, you’re probably willing to take a bath in the stuff. However, I just found a sunscreen that’s a lot less greasy: Skinnies Sungel SPF30.

Introducing Skinnies Sungel SPF30

Skinnies Sungel SPF30 is a new waterless sunscreen developed in New Zealand. Because it’s waterless, a little goes a long way.

Have you ever read official sunscreen application rules? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, most people only apply 25-50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen.  The AAD advises, “Apply enough sunscreen to cover all exposed skin. Most adults need about 1 ounce — or enough to fill a shot glass — to fully cover their body.” Yuck! Plus, you’re supposed to reapply it every two hours. That means that if you follow the instructions, you’ll use up a four-ounce bottle of sunscreen in a single day at the beach.

But Skinnies advises that a pea-sized blob will cover your face, neck and ears. Add another pea for each arm and I’m covered for most of my normal activities.

The thing that grosses me out the most about sunscreen is that feeling of it accumulating in my elbow creases. I can feel Skinnies in my creases a little, but not nearly as much as my usual water-based sunscreens.

A few other things I like about Skinnies:

• TSA compatible at 3.4 ounces
• Vegan!
• Not tested on animals
• Biodegradable ingredients
• Babies and pregnant women can use it, which is reassuring

I’ve been testing Skinnies this summer in outdoor situations, such as kayaking, hiking and tubing, and so far I haven’t been sunburned once.

Climbing Old Baldy, Wisconsin’s highest sand dune, while protected by Skinnies Sungel.

Heliocare

The same PR firm who reps Skinnies also sent me samples of something called Heliocare. For the sake of blog research, I’ve sacrificed my body as a Heliocare guinea pig. This one-a-day supplement comes in a vegan capsule and contains the South American Polypodium leucotomos fern, which contains antioxidants and is supposed to slow the skin’s aging process, protect it from sun damage and possibly prevent skin cancer. Ferndale Healthcare calls this Fernblock® PLE Technology. And they’re located in Ferndale, Michigan. That’s a strong fern game. After taking Heliocare for a few weeks, I haven’t turned the age clock back to 25 yet, but I’m not sunburned. It’s possible the Heliocare is working with the Skinnies to keep me as pale as God intended.

Bottom Line

At $32.95 for 3.4 ounces, Skinnies is way more expensive than I’ve ever paid for sunscreen. But as I mentioned above, it lasts longer than a properly applied normal tube, so you can’t make a fair ounce-to-ounce comparison. At press time, I’m seriously considering investing in a new tube once my sample runs out.