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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to choose what SPF I wear and not the retailers?

45 replies

sherbetpips · 04/07/2011 13:56

So when did all the shops suddenly decide the lowest factor we are allowed to buy is SPF 15 - did a law get passed that I didnt hear about? What happened to 10, 8 and 6? Supermarkets, chemists, everywhere only 15 or worse 30!
Seeing all the burnt people this weekend I am guessing most decided not to bother rather than where an enforced higher factor.

OP posts:
cookcleanerchaufferetc · 04/07/2011 14:00

Boots sell low SPF sun cream ....

itisnearlysummer · 04/07/2011 14:01

I suppose it's for health reasons Hmm

noblegiraffe · 04/07/2011 14:03

Perhaps they assume their customers aren't stupid?

EttiKetti · 04/07/2011 14:03

I'm not getting what's wrong with higher factors? It protects you x15/30 etc of your natural burning time....you can still tan...
My dd bought done factor 6 oil....I threw it in the bin!

Debs75 · 04/07/2011 14:04

I never burn and I tan easily.

I always buy an spf 20 or above though as it has a good uva and I don't want to age too quickly.

I like the fact the chemists sell higher spf as it is one thing to help stop people getting so burnt.

Oh and the reason so many people burn in England is because they think the sun over here is not as strong

scrappydappydoo · 04/07/2011 14:05

Well I think its because the recommended minimum level is 15 so if more is available that is what people will buy and seeing as most people in the Uk have pale skin that does burn easily its probably advisable. But I have seen lower factors for sale in places like Boots and superdrug if you need them

OTOH - if you want to buy a really low factor in a supermarket - you could look in the cooking oil aisle Grin

mollymole · 04/07/2011 14:05

OK if you want to choose just for yourself - ignore all the health warnings
but do you have children and what do you use on those, and may be all those burnt people think the same as you

TheFarSideOfFuck · 04/07/2011 14:18

yanbu

I tan very easily, but if I put factor 15 or above on I stay white

some people just do not need high factor suncream

there should still be a wide range available

TheFarSideOfFuck · 04/07/2011 14:20

yes, we all know the health warnings

if we apply that across the board (that people are too thick to stay safe) then shops should stop selling cigarettes, alcohol etc etc

parakeet · 04/07/2011 14:30

Dear Debs75 if people think that in England the sun's rays are "not as strong" as countries closer to the equator, then they are correct.

OP, I'm with you. I choose to use SPF of about 8, because I like to get suntanned in the summer. I fully accept it will make my skin more wrinkled when I'm older. That's my choice. It may or may not increase my risk of melanoma - that's debatable. But all that vitamin D will definitely REDUCE my risk of breast, colon and a whole load of other cancers - by more than any (debatable) risk of melanoma.

AMumInScotland · 04/07/2011 14:43

Perhaps the shops are stocking the ones which sell well, because most people buy those ones? Shops usually decide what to stock on that basis, it doesn't need any kind of conspiracy.

bubblesincoffee · 04/07/2011 14:43

I agree with you. And buy sun cream for myself when I get to wherever I'm going on holiday. It usually smells nicer anyway.

I do think they should make children's factor 50 much much cheaper though, especially if they are claiming to care about our heath so much.

meditrina · 04/07/2011 14:46

In Australia, the highest they accredit is "30+". Anything above this is likely to be as much marketing as science.

parakeet · 04/07/2011 14:46

Oh yes, any company that sells health products should actually give them away for FREE, or they are liars and hypocrites.

meditrina · 04/07/2011 14:47

Sorry, pressed "post" too soon.

Mother care do a "50" at a competitive price, but it might be prudent to think of it more as a 30.

sausagesandmarmelade · 04/07/2011 14:49

I don't know why people would bother to wear an spf lower than 15.

Why wouldn't anyone want to protect their skin?

My friend's fiance died of skin cancer a few years ago. He got it over here....and within 5 years he was dead. Skin cancer is on the increase here and can be very serious.

I always use high factor creams....still tan...but at least I know I have a reasonable level of protection.

JanMorrow · 04/07/2011 15:34

I'm a red head with very fair skin so I feel most comfortable wearing factor 50, but I know most people are more comfortable with 15/20.. why would you want lower?

My Grandad died from skin cancer so I'm very aware of the terrible price you can pay for sun worship.

2rebecca · 04/07/2011 15:34

I agree lower than 15 is pointless. If you want to tan a bit then wear no sun protection for half an hour and them apply it. UVA and B protection are important and there's probably a minimal SPF that actually does anything.
20-30 minutes of sun gets your vitamin D topped up so there is some rationale in not constantly wearing factor 30.
It's not true Oz doesn't recognise factors above 30 as Selsun is an Oz make used alot by dermatologists and available on prescription and their stuff is factor 50.

zukiecat · 04/07/2011 15:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bubblesincoffee · 04/07/2011 15:56

I want lower than that because I have Asian skin, but it looks nicer eith a tan. I have only ever burned once on my nose, and I do use factor 15 on my face now. But the rest of me simply doesn't need it, but I would like some kind of sun protection because I think it makes a tan last longer and it acts as a moisturiser as well, which your skin needs when it's exposed to the sun.

Some SPF, like 10, has got to be better than a moisturiser with none surely?

notagainffs · 04/07/2011 15:58

"yanbu

I tan very easily, but if I put factor 15 or above on I stay white"

lol - getting tan is evidence of skin damage, however visually appealing it may be!

meditrina · 04/07/2011 18:48

Here is a link to the Australian Government's Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Organisation which is the body which licences sunscreen SPF.

30+ is the highest level it authorises (for sale in Australia and New Zealand).

It of course has no jurisdiction over what labelling is used on products for export only.

gallicgirl · 04/07/2011 18:55

YANBU in wanting choice but YABU for wanting to use a low factor suncream.

Personally I'm a bit peed off that face moisturisers are usually only SPF 15. I use SPF 30 as I burn easy as anything. Personally I'd rather not have signs of premature ageing, wrinkles or skin cancer.

Debs75 · 05/07/2011 09:40

Parakeet People still burn in this country and not just the fair headed ones. In recent months our temps have been higher then Barcelona and Greece so we obviously get some pretty strong sun here.

My neighbour never wears sunscreen here as she believes the sun isn't strong enough yet she has blistered several times.

sausagesandmarmelade · 05/07/2011 09:47

I want lower than that because I have Asian skin

Doesn't matter.....yes you have increased pigmentation which acts as some protection but you still need to protect yourself from harsh UVB rays..which can cause malignant melanoma's.

You will still tan if you use the higher factors.....

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