Coppertone Sunscreen

COPPERTONE^® CLEARLYSheer^™ Sunscreen Review 

BzzAgent Review

As a BzzAgent, I received some free samples of both the mist/aerosol and lotion forms of the COPPERTONE^® CLEARLYSheer^™ sunscreen.  I thought it was kismit - we were going on an extended family vacation with my parents and brother & sister-in-la at the beach in Avalon, NJ!  I was excited to take it along and really give a thorough review!

I did try the both types of samples before going to the beach - but I wasn't outside for that long and really didn't have much to compare to...  The beach was more revealing!

Me, Hubby & Lil Bubba

First - Scent was great!  I LOVED it!  Not too heavy and good for any occasion outside.

Second - Mist makes it really easy to use.  Spray on and rub in and go!

Third - Really light feeling and would be great for under makeup.

Fourth - Aerosol mist is expected to feel cool on application, but may people said it stings.  I found that trying to reapply it after exposure to sand, sea and wind on the beach did make it sting - so I only used the lotion for reapplications. 

Overall, I'd say it was a very good sunscreen and I didn't burn anywhere - and as you can see, I am quite pale.  The sun and me just don't do well without a mediator!  

4 Suns out of 5 Total!

Chemistry Connection

What causes suntans and burns is the UV (Ultraviolet) rays in the sunshine.  UV radiation is just one type of electromagnetic radiation that the sun emits.

Even when the sun is hidden behind clouds, UV radiation isn't blocked out - that is the visible light that is getting obscured.  UV radiation has enough energy to penetrate the clouds without much problem.  These rays then still can cause damage to your cellular DNA which could (possibly) turn into skin cancer.  So remember to wear protection from UV radiation even on cloudy days!  

Your corneas also need protection from the UV light - so wear proper sunglasses that are rated to stop UV radiation!  This will prevent cataracts later in life!

Steve Spangler has some cool experiments with UV-changing beads that you can do too. Click on the picture for the link to his site!  

Here's a video explaining the beads: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YfCwiGZffo

For the first 5 people who respond to me, I'll mail you your own UV color-changing beads - I have some extra!  (Please email me at couponbp@hotmail.com)   Hope you comment if I email you back and let you know you have been selected to get some UV-sensitive beads!

2014 MiniResolution Update

Background: I knew I wouldn't keep a gigantic New Year's Resolution like "Lose weight" or "Be healthier" either because they were too big or too generic.  So I decided to make a Year of 12 MiniResolutions - one new one starting each month.  They would be something small that I would change that month along with all the ones I made previously.  I figured, I could do something simple and once the whole year had passed, the sum would be greater than the parts!

So here, at the half-way point, I'd like to discuss how it is going so far...

JANUARY - I thought I'd fess up to the fact that I don't always wash my hands after doing diaper changes or going to the bathroom - even not washing my hands when preparing foods.  Sometimes I'd only use water and no soap - so I promised myself to wash after each diaper change and to always use soap and really wash well.  I thought this would be healthier because it might help eliminate germs and keep our home "cleanier."  I've been pretty good - sometimes I catch myself almost forgetting to wash my hands as Bubba takes off from her diaper change, but I think I've managed 95% or more!  We didn't have any major colds/flu this season - maybe that is part of it!

FEBRUARY - Well, I had a dentist appt halfway through this month, and thought I'd better get back on the flossing bandwagon - especially since I've suffered lots of cavities in the past.  Yes - it would help my teeth, but healthy mouths have also been shown to help overall health. (http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oral-health-the-mouth-body-connection)  I also thought it would help save $$$ in the long run too!  The dentist said that they could tell I had started flossing again and my gums looked healthier.  I can't wait until they see them this summer!  

MARCH - This month I decided to keep it really simple - Have a daily vitamin in the morning along with a glass of juice/water/milk to help my fluid intake.  I know I don't drink enough for the day - so I thought this would be good on 2 small fronts.  I'll be honest - I didn't really notice any difference, but I had pretty much been taking a vitamin sporadically previously and the amount of liquid I drink isn't huge.

APRIL - This one has been challenging for me to keep because I never want to really do it.  I have 8 different morning stretches I do - pretty simple, but I just never like any kind of exercise.  I didn't think this would help my weight, but I hoped it would make my flexibility better.  I picked many different places for examples - but some of them are from here and I really always liked the one I used to do in my school's Yoga class where you reach up to the sky and go onto your toes while inhaling and then on the exhale, you try to reach down and touch the floor.  Good news, I can reach further to the ground, but my muscles always still feel stiff in the morning.

MAY - Okay, being a SAHM, I thought I should do something to improve my housekeeping skills.  I decided to always have the sink clear of dishes before I go to bed.  I think looking at a sink of full of dirty dishes is disgusting and I thought Terry would appreciate the clean sink in the morning as he got ready for the day.  Bad news, Terry doesn't care - so the one of the big reasons I did this, is moot.

JUNE - This one has been really hard - I didn't realize it, but I was constantly consuming soda products throughout the day - now I limit myself to 1 only.  I know it doesn't seem like a big deal - but the first few days, I suddenly realized how much soda I had been consuming.  I was flabbergasted!  I miss all the soda, but I hope this will soon wane and I might be able to give it up all-together sometime!  I figure it will help my teeth, save me calories and also help save my bones - see the background connection here.

All these steps remind me of the classic Chemistry demo - The Iodine Clock Reaction.  Here's a cool video to watch with what you can do with it to amaze students and anyone who doesn't know the chemistry behind it: (click on the picture to see the video)

This reaction is made up of multiple steps - the slowest steps are occurring when the glass solution remains colorless (and thus you think nothing is really happening), but as soon as the one chemical is all used up, the remaining chemicals and combine with each other and the starch that has been present to suddenly turn blue/black (like the reaction you've done in school with iodine solution and a potato - turning it black - classic starch test you might have done in Biology).  My overall New Year's Resolution, is going to be like the Clock Reaction, many steps but then by the end - WHAMO! - Overall impressive change!
For a pretty good explanation, see The Periodic Table of Videos about Iodine.  They do it in slow motion too!  If you want to try an Iodine Clock Reaction at home and you have adult supervision, here's a site (WonderHowTo) that does it with chemicals you can probably purchase at various stores.

Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Review - Toothpaste and SpinBrush

I am a member of Smiley360 and was accepted into a mission from Arm & Hammer to try their Truly Radiant Toothpaste and SpinBrush.  I received both items for free in the mail as a Smiley360 Member.

Here is a Pre-Arm & Hammer Use photo of me (Top) along with about 2 weeks of use:

I don't think you can see any difference - but I honestly do like the way my teeth look after using it. 

When I'm looking in the mirror, I do think they are brighter, but it isn't dramatic - like the Friends episode where Ross's teeth practically glow in the dark!  

This makes it seem natural and I like that.

Image from a fellow Smiley360 Blogger who writes, "Reviews from Mom"

I had some hesitation about using a SpinBrush because I had an electric toothbrush a few years ago that I couldn't stand using ... as soon as I put it in my mouth and on any of my teeth, the vibrations just echoed into my skull - making it feel like some sort of torture, but without actual pain.  I really worried that would happen here.  Thankfully, the SpinBrush's vibrations weren't uncomfortable at all.  I was careful not to bite down on the SpinBrush - just in case that would cause any discomfort.  I didn't even want to purposely try it - remembering my past experiences.  I am really happy with most of my experiences of the SpinBrush!

The Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant is different from my regular toothpaste because I don't use Whiteners and this used both calcium peroxide, CaO2, and baking soda, NaHCO3.  I know the baking soda is abrasive and would take off some surface stains, but it was obvious this is an ingredient in the toothpaste.  It was immediately detected by taste and leaves a slightly gritty bitter taste - especially when you just make the switch from another brand of toothpaste that doesn't contain this.  I made sure to really rinse well to get rid of this residual taste.  I also brushed my tongue with another toothbrush to make sure it came off.
The calcium peroxide (hydrogen peroxide) decomposes to water and oxygen gas - I did notice the bubbles.  It wasn't much - but combined with the spinning action of the brush, it really made my mouth foam and I pretty much have to constantly spit and use a tissue or I look like a real mess!

I know hydrogen peroxide is a great oxidizer and is known for killing germs, but I didn't know about the whitening aspect until this sampling.  Dentists use a form of hydrogen peroxide, but in a stronger concentration, to whiten teeth.  Something like hydrogen peroxide needs a catalyst to decompose faster than it normally would (Over time, hydrogen peroxide's kinetics would cause it to eventually turn into water - which is why it is sold in a brown bottle...this limits the UV light helping it breakdown)
I worry the long-term effects of this on my teeth, but I don't see anything wrong with using a tube of Truly Radiant and then going back to my normal toothpaste.

So my final verdict:
Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Toothpaste - I like it.  It foams a small bit and has a slight baking soda aftertaste.  I think it improves the look of my teeth, but I think I would only use this product periodically as am unsure of the calcium peroxide long-term effect on my teeth's enamel.  (I already am prone to getting cavities and don't want anything to weaken my teeth.)
Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant SpinBrush - I really like it!  I will continue to use it after this sampling is over!

I think this is a great time to throw in a Chemical Demo - appropriately called, "Elephant Toothpaste" It has hydrogen peroxide, liquid soap and a catalyst added (like MnO2).  It decomposes to form the oxygen gas which stays trapped in the foam.

From: ww.middleschoolchemistry.com/multimedia/chapter6/lesson5

Anyone interested in Smiley360 and you have questions, just comment and let me know - I'm more than happy to help you out!  For those of you who would like to sign up, here's my referral link: http://smiley360.com/?refid=77887