New online trend to say it's better not to wear sunscreen

I use the Yuka app and found one that has no nasties in it.

Just yesterday evening I saw a young woman going home from a day of sunbathing on the beach. Not in Southern Europe but in this 'heatwave' we've been having here.

She was so badly burned over her whole body that at first I thought she was wearing pink leggings. Her legs, her arms, her shoulders, her back. All glowing red. I felt sore just looking at her. She'll have been in agony last night, tossing and turning but not finding an inch of her body which wasn't burned.

I did that once but learned my lesson well!

It’s not a new thing, but those that don’t use sunscreen make sure their kids are covered up and don’t got outside when the suns at its hottest, which is much safer than sending kids outside with sunscreen and shorts and Tshirt, thinking that they are being safe.

Up in Scotland people are advised to take vitamin D supplements over the winter months. Vitamin D | NHS inform https://share.google/mruIfBSqZJnGMU2PH

I absolutely hate the feeling of suncream so greasy. I've always went with covering up, hats, glasses, shade and staying out of the sun at its peak. On holiday or hot weather like now if I am wearing a skirt and little top then I will use suncream and put it on the kids when they were younger. So a bit of a mix really. Would be interested in more natural suncream if anyone has a link?

Interesting and thought provoking thread.

I think if it's particular sunny then a little bit of sunscreen when its at its most high. But I'm also not a believers of covering up with sunscreen all the time. Most people in the UK are vit D deficient. Lack of vit d can result in many different diseases. I have MS. There is also a higher number of people with MS further from the equator. Vit D deficiency and its related diseases (including certain types of cancer) should be taken as seriously as Skin cancer.

It would be 1000x better for the environment if people just dressed and acted appropriately.

(Another exhibit in the argument that humans are never going to put species above self).

Another point of view here.
I live in Southern Europe, lots of UK and Irish visitors to the area.
Twice this week alone Ive seen people who have severe sunburn. One in the Pharmacy and one on the beach . Neither used sunscreen. Its madness.

Gosh how true. Sick of people getting their health and nutrition advice from social media influencers with zero scientific evidence or qualifications

You can easily supplement vitamin d, you can’t easily deal with skin cancer.

Yeah it's nuts.
Obviously if you've got the money then go for a sunscreen that's got the least harmful ingredients...
I'm poor and I just buy whatever lidl has and I'm sure it's not the greatest thing to be sinking into your skin all the time.. however I'm also sure it's ALOT better than what sunburn does to your skin

Of course you should avoid direct sunlight where possible but you can still burn.
No way would I let my kids go out on a sunny day without suncream all over them.

To be fair, this isn't something I am particularly interested in as I grew up in the 60s and 70s when sun screen wasn't really a 'thing'. Common sense prevailed! Personally, I just prefer to use more natural products where possible, but each to their own.

It’s about balance. Your kids should where sunscreen when they need to - ie when they’re out in the sun for long periods and it’s strong sun. This is rarely in the U.K.

My kids don’t typically wear sunscreen to school but I know some parents put it on everyday at 7am just in case and then send them off to school where they spend most of the day inside other than playtime. Whereas I would put it on if I know they’re playing sport outside for several hours in the middle of the day or if they’re out on a school trip and it’s a sunny day. This way they get some vitamin d but don’t get sun damage.

Define “man made chemical”

exogenous insulin for diabetics is man made.

this is a common product found in many homes.

which are the man made chemicals? Are any natural?

Is there a sense that suncream is like seatbelts in cars ? Knowing you are "safe" leads to risky behaviour ?

Or is it just another expression of anti vax dimness ?

Plenty of people have already corrected you, but I am just going to leave this infographic here. The face makes up 5% of the skin surface area, but 13-23% of melanomas occur there (depending on gender). Why might that be? Could it possibly be the increased sun exposure? 🤔

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/melanoma-skin-cancer/incidence#heading-Three

edited to say wrong post quotes - hopefully it’s obvious who I’m replying to!

Surely you don't really think that everyone who doesn't use sunscreen will die of melanoma?

There seems to be quite a few natural organic ones available with a high SPF. I would certainly prefer to use one of them rather than the ones loaded with man-made chemicals, but obviously that depends on your budget.

If people are genuinely covering up and staying out of the sun, I can’t see the problem - DS used to hate having it applied, so putting him in UV top and sun hat and keeping him in the shade between 11-3pm was easier and probably more effective than badly-applied sunscreen applied to a kicking screaming four year old.

I wear long-lasting factor 50 sunscreen myself pretty much daily, but I do still sometimes burn if I am out all day. So I try to do both now - cover up and stay out of the sun, but use sunblock on exposed skin.

Obviously the cancer conspiracy theorists are just loons.

I was never told about that growing up in England. My DP never bought me a pair of sunglasses, apart from maybe a cheap novelty pair when I was very young, but certainly not in my teens. My DF had a pair of clip on ones to go over his prescription glasses, and my DM didn't own a pair, but she very rarely sat in the sun. DM used to say I had to look after my teeth and my feet, but never mentioned my eyes!

I have lost a tiny spot of central vision in my right eye, but it's not that noticeable. The main problem at the moment, is my loss of facial recognition! That causes me so many problems!

That’s absolute nonsense. They are found on the face, it’s an incredible common area.

This is absolutely not true. Where in earth do you get that from?

Statistics please!

I don’t believe this is the case.

what are you on? Of course they are.

my mil has had 3 removed from her face and scalp in the last 5 years.

the utter bollocks on this thread. No wonder people buy into all the toxic sunscreen conspiracies. No need for statistics of facts, just make up your own theories and present it as “science”

or just write FACT after your crap, we all know that makes it irrevocably true..

I'm in Australia and at my annual sight check, the ophthalmologist always asks do I wear sunglasses. I do. It's a standard question here. I have several pairs of good quality ones and wear them whenever it's sunny, all year round. Now I think of it, it has to be very overcast for me not to wear them.

I only wear it if I am out in strong sun. I like some tinted mineral SPFs (especially Clinique City Block 25). A tube lasts me a year.