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Reviews > Health & Safety > Sunscreens and Skin Protection > Marine Blue Sunscreen-Insect Repellent > Owner Review by Mark McLauchlinMarine Blue Sunscreen with Insect RepellentSunday, 11 November 2007 Product Information | Product Description | Test Locations | Test Conditions | Review | Summary * Reviewer Information Name: Mark McLauchlin Age: 29 Gender: Male Height: 1.76 m (5' 9") Weight: 87 kg (191 lb) Email: mark at swanvalleyit.com.au City: Perth, Western Australia * Backpacking Background I have been hiking for approximately 12 months with most of my hiking consisting of day walks averaging 16 – 22 km (10 – 14 mi) and short overnight trips where possible. I consider myself to be a light hiker with an average pack weight of 13 kg (29 lbs). My preference is for hot dinners, breakfasts of cereals with fresh fruit, and lunches usually of bars and sandwiches. I am starting to work with freezer bag type meals. * Product Information Manufacturer: Marine Blue Australia Manufacturer's URL: www.marineblue.com.au Year of manufacturer: 2007 Colour: white cream Listed Weight: 100 g (3.53 oz) Verified Weight: 96 g (3.39 oz) Year of Purchase: 2007 MSRP: not listed * Product Description
* Test Locations Western Australia is known to bushwalkers for the Bibbulmun Track which runs from Perth to Albany (nearly 1000 km or 621 miles long). The many tracks that lead through this area also make up most of my walking. The diversity of the track sections can range from well marked trails to overgrown and sometimes more challenging tracks to navigate. Old forest tracks and Park Ranger (Conservation And Land Management) gravel roads make up the majority of the access points to the track. Elevation is from sea level to 585 m (1,920 ft). The sunscreen has been used mainly around the Bibbulmun track as this is an area great for hiking. Walks can be from a few hours to 6 weeks to complete end to end. All of my walking has been on this track and its surrounding areas in the form of day walks and over night hiking. During the summer months there is a large number of flies in this area and so has proven to be a good testing ground. I have completed several sections of the track at the northern most end and spend several days out walking. The layout of the tracks means that I have been able to walk between huts which are generally one full day's walk, 16 – 22 km (9.94 – 13.66 mi). Additional to my hiking activities the sunscreen is used as an all purpose sunscreen for any activities that I perform outside such as gardening, swimming and other family activities. * Test Conditions According to Australia's main weather bureau, BOM, the annual mean maximum temperature is 24.4 C (76 F) and the annual mean minimum temperature is 12.6 C (55 F). The mean rainfall for the year is recorded as 40 mm. I have used the sunscreen in temperatures up to 42 C (108 F) which is exceptionally hot, with a very low humidity level. Peak months for the Australian bush fly and midge are October through to December, which are the summer months. The numbers significantly reduce in the following months. * Review Marine Blue Sunscreen with Insect repellent is now my first choice of sunscreen lotion because of its minimal cost and proven product (in my opinion). One of the issues I often have with other sunscreens that I have used is the viscosity. When the sunscreen is too thick applying an even layer is more difficult, the Marine Blue seems to be more viscous making application easier and giving a better level of protection. The product works well in water from the usage I have exposed this to, mainly in my home pool during the summer months. I would recommend that the 2 hour reapply time is adhered to, as on several occasions I have not, resulting in partial sunburn. The sunscreen also does not leave the skin oily whilst undertaking physical activity such as hiking and bushwalking which is also a bonus. I have used this sunscreen on my children also so that I have been able to examine the effectiveness of the insect repellent and the outcome reinforced my opinion that it does reduce the number of insects that hang around. If I was able to put an insect reduction value on someone using the sunscreen as opposed to someone that wasn’t I would say it reduced the activity by 3 to 1. Understandably hard to measure however years of use and approximately 5 tubes later this is my best estimate. The sunscreen also has no odour which I feel is a good point. There is also little taste to the product which is good if applied to your lips for protection. I have also noticed that the sunscreen does not stain clothing which comes in handy if applied to your neck and upper arms. This is the first time I have weighed a new tube and was surprised that it was less than the listed weight by approximately 4 grams or 0.14 oz, however I don’t see this being an issue. * Summary I believe this to be a great all round sunscreen and have purchased many tubes over the past few years. Pros o No scent at all. o Viscosity is not too thick. o Easy to dispense. Cons o Not as readily available as others. Read more reviews of Marine Blue gear Read more gear reviews by Mark McLauchlin Reviews > Health & Safety > Sunscreens and Skin Protection > Marine Blue Sunscreen-Insect Repellent > Owner Review by Mark McLauchlin | ||||||
