To not understand why some people won’t wear suncream?!

[ClandestineAdulation]

Currently sat in the garden and enjoying the sunshine with my factor 30 on... with the family and not one of them is wearing suncream.

I can see their skin burning.

They can see their skin burning.

But they think I’m weird for wearing suncream.

I don’t understand why some people would knowingly do this?!

I’m Australian. I grew up living by the beach and had 4 melanomas removed before I was 25. I’m fair haired and very pale skinned so 10 minutes in the sun is enough to cook me.

Nowadays I wear sun cream on my face everyday and on any exposed body parts if I expect to be outside more than 15 minutes at a time.

I think the culture here has moved to be a lot more sun conscious and based on my travels can attest than the sun seems to burn much more here.

About 10 years ago we were on a sailing trip on the barrier reef, it was august, so technically winter but still 28+ degrees every day. Despite everyone on the trip telling them, a group of Italians on the trip refused to use any sun protection saying that they didn’t get sunburned.

I saw them the next day in town and they were so red and looked to be in incredible pain.

Last month we were on a beach in Vietnam. Gorgeous 32 degree day. We were wearing 50+ hats, uv tops and under umbrellas. A group of gorgeous English girls next to us in their early 20’s all pushed their lounges out from the shade, stripped down to their bikinis and proceeded to sunbake for 3 hours!

In most primary schools in Australia you can’t go out to play without a hat.

I know it’s a different climate to the uk but I believe most oh my friends and family would be increcibly sun safe these days

What brand do you use?

I don't wear it that often but then I don't go out in the sun and when I do I cover up with sleeves and trousers. I am ginger and extremely pale and fear I may catch fire if I spend too long in the sun. I only wear it if I'm going out in it for a prolonged period like on the beach on holiday. I wear an SPF moisturiser on my face every day, rain or shine.

it's not that i don't think skin cancer won't happen to me, but it's just not enough of a deterrent for me to want to feel unclean and greased up on a hot day

I'm very pale and wore suncream from my teens, when the pharmacies began to stock it here back in the 80s.

Unfortunately I'm allergic to octocrylene and it is almost impossible to find sunscreen that doesn't contain it nowadays. I wear Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield SPF 30, but cannot afford to fork out 45 Euro for it at the moment, so am staying out of the sun.

NotTakenUsername -
Melanoma anyone?
Someone dear to us has melanoma which has invaded her lungs and brain.
Please protect your children with the highest factor you can find.
Vitamin D supplements if you're concerned about Rickets.

I haven't Gwen, I've always used specific facial ones on my face or worn a big hat and sunglasses. Its my chest and back where I get the spots, suncream is just so greasy and pore-clogging. I received some recommendations for gel ones (Piz Buin used to do one but no longer available) but they're all Factor 50 and my skin is pretty much reflective so I'd just stay bright white. The only success I've ever had is going on the sunbed a few weeks before, then using a low-factor oil on holiday.

but im.another one with sensory issues.

I prefer just to avoid the sun - obviously there is the school run etc but with a big vit D deficiency I'll allow myself that 40 mins per day unprotected. I have tanned naturally and haven't once burnt.

On the other hand, I have been on holiday, constantly slathered myself in Factor 50 constantly and have still burned - purely because the sun was burning me - I could feel it, it was painful just to sit in the sun - not to mention the next 5 days I spent bright red , so I do wonder how a cream could have prevented this.

Kid always have theirs on, hats on, but no way would I sit in full sun and let myself burn - it's masochism! So YANBU.

YANBU. Burning is not good. If I'm going to be outside for longer than 15 mins then I'll put factor 50 on. But I used to be a goth, am fair skinned and grew up in the North! 😎 As a result I think my skin looks pretty good for my age!

I don't like it either .. but I always use it ... better to be a bit sticky and having to shower it off than looking like an old crocodile handbag 👜

To the poster who said sit in the shade, well you can still get burnt and sun damaged in the shade. I don't wear sun cream unless I have too as it causes my eczema to flair up, but I will always sit in the shade (I know I'm contradicting myself) as you get less damage. If I'm out for a long period I will definitely use it, in holiday I always use it factor 30 being the minimum unless It's a super long break and I've gradually built up a slight tan. In the summer I use a face cream with spf40.
I don't religiously use it on my son as I really feel the benefit of some sun is good but obviously day trips and being out for a long time we use it. He really really suffers with terrible eczema out breaks from it so I really weigh up the pros and cons as he can get red raw.

IvysMum12 I’m happy with my opinion and decision, but thank you for sharing your experiences and concerns.

I'm a classic English rose, dark haired and pale skinned and burn easily. I got painful sunburn on my arms yesterday from 90 minutes in the sun between 9.30-11am. Furious with myself as I know I burn easily and it's my own fault. Today I've slathered myself in the stuff and I've stayed inside during the hottest period. I don't care how greasy or clogged up my skin is, I'd rather that than get burnt again.

DS on the other hand takes after his dad - dark eyed and olive skinned. I use factor 50 on him if he's out in the sun in long periods but he can spend half an hour with none on with no danger of getting burnt.

@Etymology23 have you figured out what it is that sets you off? My daughter used to have this, it turns out she reacts to anti-histimines. Lots of suncream that say insect repellant/ water resistant/ calming include some form of anti-histimines, and caused a viral rash, itching, swelling, redness. Ruined a fair few holidays. As soon as we figured out and just put her on straightforward sun cream with no frills, she was fine.

I’m allergic to it. I never ever sunbathe. If I thought I could get away with full Saudi Islamic dress, I would.

Me and my aunt smothered ourselves in carrot oil for tanning on broad once never again!!

I always wear suncream unless I genuinely forget. Generally factor 50 as I just use DDs one.

I did actually get terribly burnt whilst traveling in South American, I couldn't find my factor 40 so used factor 20 and we were literally in the beach for 2 hours (reapplied) it was cool and there was a breeze. By 5pm that evening my legs felt sore and tight, we sat down for some dinner and by the time I went to bed a was in so much pain, I stayed in the hotel for 3 whole days as I couldn't walk, I had to crawl to the toilet, on the 4th day I could just about move but once my legs were moving I had to keep them moving iyswim, I found a pharmacy and spent the equivalent of one nights hotel stay on some spray to heal them. One of the most painful things to happen to me. I now respect the sun and don't give a shit if it's a hassle to my friends family if we need to sit in the shade. The backs of my legs are now very sensitive, get dry easily and have huge freckle patches on them. I am worried that one day they could become cancerous.

Also to protect my tattoo on my leg I have to have suncream. Don't want it to fade etc

@Gwen judging by the responses, you’re the only one that says suncream absorbs just like a moisturiser! Would like to know what brand you use.. because if it does do this, I’d buy it 👌

**Well I’m judging you for sitting in the sun in the middle of the day. I would never do this. Sit in the shade now and you don’t need the sun cream.

Stop judging others. Because you aren’t any better. Any amount of sun bathing is wrong.**

^Ironic isn’t it? I completely agree

Even worse...why do some people wear oil?!

I got burnt in Australia once.. went to Manly beach, but a mist covered it, there was a jelly fish warning and it was a bit cold.

But we were there 🤷🏻‍♀️ I ended up falling asleep. And despite the mist and cold, I burnt the backs of my legs enough that I felt it for the rest of the day 😬

I heard about Altruist SPF 50 on mumsnet and it's like a moisturiser. I wear all over and DS wears Childs Farm factor 50 which does leave a residue but Altruist doesn't, I wear make up on top with no 'slide'.

Ditto Neutrogen dry touch 100 SPF - this is also from amazon and arrives next week so I'll post a review here.

depends on your skin tone really... my husband rarely wears suncream and and ive never seen him sunburnt.. at most he will put a bit on his ears and back of neck at insistence from me... hes just very olive skinned and just goes brown

If I even step into the sun for a second without suncream on I end up horrendously burnt. And im pretty uptight about putting it on when I get ready in the morning and I do top it up but often still end up burnt!

So id only judge people who know they are burning and have actively chosen to do nothing... not just people who are burnt or who dont wear suncream at all.