AIBU to think that it's not usual to wear sunscreen all the time?

[TheKitchenWitch]

Leading on from another thread of mine in which I asked for recommendations for a tinted moisturiser without sunscreen in it (due to skin reacting), I was surprised that it seemed to be very much a given that one would wear sunscreen every day.

Now, I don't think I know of anyone who slathers sunscreen on their whole family every single day of the year. It might well be that it's included in a daily face cream for some, so they are getting it by default, but I don't put any on my children until we get to proper summer, hot sunny days etc and they are outside way more than me.
My husband also would only ever put it on if we're spending the day outside in summer. We live in Germany, so climate is similar to UK for much of the year.

So my question is: do you (as in your whole family) wear sunscreen all year round?

*neck

Yep, factor 50 here every day, live in the Caribbean.

Every day. I have had two basal carcinomas, both on my face, both requiring very visible surgery. Didn't travel abroad until I was 19, our family holidays every summer until then were in Scotland. I don't tan so have never bothered with sunbathing. For me trying to do what I can to prevent any more is more important than worrying about vit D. I only do my face because that's out the whole time, am sure the rest of me gets enough exposure to top my levels up.

I hear what everyone is saying but don't be too blasé about the risks, even in the UK.

It's different for me. I live in Portugal, don't bother in the winter but for the last month i have been wearing it. When living back home in the UK i only wore it if the sun actually come and i was spending the day in the sun

How dangerous is it not to wear sunscreen on a typical UK cloudy winter's day?
Are some of us being over cautious?

If you live in the UK it is absolutely pointless to wear sunscreen between end of September and beginning of April. The UV index does not go above a problematic level (3) during those months. My son has albinism and as such we are incredibly cautious with his skin care due to the fact that he does not produce melanin like a typical person. But I do not put sunscreen on him unnecessarily.

Nanoo exactly what I think too - but it seems staying wrinkle-free comes first before serious diseases/death on MN 🤷‍♀️

@Wellhellothere101!
Can I ask which sunscreen you use? Thank you

I'm black and I wear mimimum factor 30 UVA + UVB everyday. On very sunny days Factor 50 over normal spf15 cream and tinted moisturiser. It's not as simple as more melanin = good sun protection, a lot of dark skinned people, especially those with mixed backgrounds or ancestry ie Great Grand parents who are white, have sensitive skin. I actually burn easily, and I'm not particularly fair skinned - deep brown skin tone. Hated the summer last year and was to see so many very fair skinned people lying out bathing in it when I could feel the skin on my toes in my sandals burning.

I also have both facial and occular Rosacea. The dermatologist told me I was exceptionally unlucky, getting a doctor to diagnose me was difficult because Rosacea is associated with white skin and difficult to see red inflamed patches on dark skin (and annoyingly all the awareness campaigns feature only caucasian examples, along with the specialist coverup makeup promotions) I reckon there are a lot more dark skinned people walking around with Rosacea undiagnosed.

Anyway the Dermo told me do not step outside without factor 30 minimum. It's not about the heat, its the ultra violet light. I take Vit D max strength supplements alongside vit d mouth spray (But only been decent taking it in the last couple months)

Interesting.
I do wonder whether this thread has attracted more people who are worried about sun because I honestly can't believe that most of the population wears sunscreen all year round.

I wouldn't even consider putting it on unless

a) it's sunny
b) I'm going to be outside quite a bit

I've also been trying to avoid using a moisturiser with it as my skin reacts quite badly to it, so on balance I think the extra chemicals aren't doing me any good.

This thread has really surprised me, I only wear it if it’s sunny and I’m going to be outside! Ditto for the kids. I think year round is a bit OTT!

I think this thread has attracted those who wear sunscreen every day. Just like those threads about what is for dinner tonight, attracts those who eat very healthily.

I wear it in summer if I'm going to be out for longer than half an hour, or if I'm going to be out in the hottest parts of the day. I have very pale skin and lots of moles so I need to be careful to cover up.

@fullprice I wear a Japanese sunscreen-they are so much better than Western formulations. I use Biore UV bright milk. It's lovely under make up. However I had to try loads before I found my holy grail. I also see a dermatologist every 6 months for a mole check and he recommends all his patients wear sunscreen every day (as does he).

Nanooexactly what I think too - but it seems staying wrinkle-free comes first before serious diseases/death on MN 🤷‍♀️
I don't understand this, people are saying they wear sunscreen to prevent serious damage but you're agreeing with some one speaking against wearing it all year around?( apologies if I'm wrong!)

@Cellardoor84 Er in my case it's actually desire to not have any more large chunks taken out of my face as a result of skin cancer rather than wrinkles - don't be so condescending.

I accept that I probably don't need to wear sunscreen all year round, but have found it easier just to get into a daily routine and slap it on. Am going to do some more reading on that.

I do, factor 30. Every day. I'm very fair and burn easily. I also had skin analysis done where I have waxing and it showed the sun damage. I was really shocked, I stay out of the sun and still I have lots of damage that I never knew about.

I also had skin analysis done where I have waxing and it showed the sun damage. I was really shocked, I stay out of the sun and still I have lots of damage that I never knew about.

That is because you have been alive!!! Your body is designed to be 'damaged' and that damage is why you will (hopefully!) eventually die of old age. You will never prevent sun damage completely unless you go full on vampire and never go out, and that really isn't healthy!

I always chose moisturiser with spd as I wear the same one all year round. I only wear a separate sunscreen if I'm going to be outdoors for over 39 mins in summer. I burn easily though.

39 mins! So specific!

Aggh spf!

I also think this idea of "sun damage" is perhaps a bit skewed - as a PP said, surely we have all sorts of "damage" just from living every day?
Wrinkles aren't damage, are they? They're a completely normal part of ageing.

lol at 39 mins" :D

I don’t wear SPF ever. If it’s too burny for me I just stay out of the sun. It’s horrible and sticky and makes me have a rash. I have also been deficient in Vitamin D3 and trust me, it makes you feel RUBBISH. A large amount of the population of the UK are deficient without even knowing it.

It’s in my moisturiser and foundation, apart from that I will only put it on when the weather heats up. Same for dc- 14&19- again only when it starts getting warm.