This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is blueviolet.  Congrats!

We had this small taste of summer a few weeks ago, and now June gloom has set in.  With the morning fog and mist, you’d think summer was nowhere in site.  As a Southern California native, I know in just a few weeks, we’ll all be wishing for a little relief from the scorching heat.  A child’s skin is very sensitive and given the fact that my son has some of my husband’s Caucasian, I worry that he’ll burn as easily as my husband does.  I keep a bottle of sunscreen in my diaper bag at all times and I always apply it before he’s going to be exposed, however, I still get confused about how often to re apply it and whether or not his wiggling prevents me from covering him up sufficiently.  We are going to be starting swim lessons in the next couple of weeks and he is going to be wearing the Long Sleeve Suit he received from Sun Protection Zone.

I may be living under a rock, but it’s only been about a year since I first learned of sun protective clothing.  With the rates of skin cancer as high as they are in this country, I think it’s important for adults and children to take active measures to ensure protection from the sun’s harmful rays.  While I was doing some research for this post, I learned that the “lightweight” clothing you’re taught to wear during the summer to stay cool (think cotton t shirts, straw hats, etc.), can allow 50% of harmful UVB rays through to your skin when dry and 10-20% more when wet (Sun Safety Alliance).  In other words, you’d have to cover your entire body with sunscreen to truly prevent the sun’s harmful rays from penetrating your skin.

Sun Protection Zone is a company that “makes skin protection simple, easy, and effective.”  We had an opportunity to check out one of the company’s SunSkinz which offer 100 SPF and UPF+ 50.  SunSkinz are made from four way stretch fabric which offers comfort and protection against the sun’s rays.  They’re lightweight, breathable, and durable (designed to stand up against chlorine and salt water).  I like the long sleeve option because it means my son is getting that much more protection from the sun.  Remember that any exposed area (i.e. the face) should have sunscreen applied.  The company also offers rash guards and shorts for children who may not want to wear a full suit.  The company offers affordable sun protective products for boys, girls and adults.

Right now, Sun Protection Zone is offering 40-60% off on select products.  Be sure to visit the site for more information.

Win It! One of you will win a sunskinz rashguard, solar safe wristbands, sun hat…perfectly timed for summer.  Simply head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back and leave me a comment with something you learned on the site.  Comments will close on June 18, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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