Get 20% off everything with my coupon code KITCHENSTEW at 3rd Rock Essentials!
Since the very beginning of my blogging journey, I’ve been testing natural, mineral, zinc oxide based sunscreens.
My poor family has had to A/B test on their own bodies every summer for over 15 years! We’ve tested over 125 different sunscreens, and out of ALL that, we only have about 8 to 12 that we actually love.
3rd Rock Sunblock is in our family’s top five. After one particular trip to Florida, we pretty much decided it’s our ultimate favorite.
3rd Rock was formulated by a PhD chemist who loves surfing. Dr. Guerry Grune is one of the smartest guys I know and super committed to all the non toxic uses for chelated zinc oxide. That ingredient makes his sunscreen really different than others, which means you have to apply it with different rules (see below).
It’s also my husband’s favorite because it goes on really clear, even on hairy skin. That’s not a small thing in a house with boys! It smells great if you grab the aromatherapeutic version, and there is also an unscented option.
Beyond sunscreen, we use their silver spray and Nutrasporin all year long. We are huge fans! When you have kids, summer is full of scraped knees, bug bites, and mystery rashes. I have Nutrasporin in every bathroom and my van!
In a world of uncertainties, at least it feels good to know that what we’re putting on our skin and in our bodies has exceptionally clean ingredients. It’s the best we can do.
Side note: Paul actually did some video editing for 3rd Rock, too. I love this silly and informative reel he made about Nutrasporin.
How I Save Money at 3rd Rock
Because 3rd Rock is one of our longtime partners, you can always use the code KITCHENSTEW for a 20% discount. And I always keep my eyes open for their Black Friday sale! They usually offer 30% off or more then.
Spring is definitely the time of year to fill your cart, though. As we prepare for spring break travel and those sneaky sunny April days when Michiganders get unexpected sunburns, I always want to make sure we’re stocked up.
And if you try the sunscreen, hot tip: you need to emulsify it first. Rub it between your fingers or in your hands before applying. That’s how you get it to go on clear.
When it comes to the silver infusion, I recommend buying one squirt bottle and a BIG 8-ounce version once you know you like it and it’s in your rotation of defenses against the dark viruses. 😉 The 8-ounce is the same stuff but less expensive per ounce, so just refill the squirt bottle. You can also take a bit off a spoon if you’re really coming down with something.
What We Use and Why
Here’s how our family uses 3rd Rock products:
3rd Rock Sunblock
- top five out of 125 tested
- goes on really clear
- super effective
- my husband’s favorite because it does not make him look white and pasty
- aromatherapeutic and unscented options available
Silver Spray and Tonic
- any time someone gets a scratchy throat or is exposed to a virus, five squirts coming at you!!
- handy as a hand sanitizer.
- general immune boosting maintenance
- Dr. Guerry Grune says that anytime there’s a risk of food poisoning, he takes a few squirts as a protective measure. After my husband got wicked food poisoning from some August chicken grilling a few years ago, that connects in my head. 😮
- Note that the Silver Excelsior Serum looks VERY expensive, but it’s over 25x as potent as the blue bottle. I have an “emergency only” bottle that travels with us, smaller, and you only need a drop.
Have You Tried Silver?
Silver nanoparticles have been shown in studies to “be active against several types of viruses.”
3rd Rock’s Silver Excelsior Serum and Silver Infusion Tonic has their patented Chelated Silver Oxide. It’s different and unique in the silver world compared to common, run-of-the-mill ‘colloidal silver’ (source).
This silver is high quality with many health-benefits. Containing amino acids, citrates, and kosher vegetable USP grade glycerin, 3rd Rock silver sticks to and penetrates cell walls—delivering silver oxide straight to cells to bolster their fight against infections in and on the body.
Nutrasporin
- mostly we use it to treat cuts and scrapes but also …
- bug bites and unidentified rashes when they pop up
- Nutrasporin is my go to for scraped knees.
ITCHBlock
- poison ivy or other unknown rashes
- jellyfish stings or run-of-the-mill mosquito bites
- any dry or irritated skin
The Bottom Line with 3rd Rock Essentials
I always feel grateful to have agency in moments like this. Whether it’s scraped knees, a scratchy throat before a big trip, or stocking up before summer sun, I like knowing I can do something.
Honestly, I prefer if I can do 27 somethings. 😉
And 3rd Rock has been one of the tools that helps our family do just that!
Get 20% off everything with my coupon code KITCHENSTEW at 3rd Rock Essentials!