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?

No sunscreen if I’m only going to be out in daylight for half an hour e so (severe vitamin d deficiency, take a high dose daily bit also aware of the benefits of getting natural sunlight).

Facto 50 any other time, as very fair skinned. Don’t go out in the summer sun without factor 50, sunglasses and hat).

That's me told then. Why I bother posting on threads like this I don't know. I answered the question as it was mildly interesting. Do what you like with your skin and I'll manage mine.

I check the uv index daily, put suncream on if it's 3 or above or if I'll be out in it all day. If it's going to rain all day I don't bother but I wouldn't skip suncream just because the sun isn't out, uva rays can pass through clouds and my family has a history of skin cancer.

I've just downloaded a UV app for my phone, I admit I've never thought of checking the levels before, I've always just gone by the weather.

*@Wellhellothere101*I looked up that sunscreen you posted and ended up spending ages reading about Japanese v. American sunscreens. Really interesting! Apparently Neutrogena have brought out one which is similar : www.theinventory.com/this-japanese-sunscreen-is-the-first-skincare-thing-ive-1828370379 (and would be easier to get hold of here). Have you heard of it?

Nope. We use sun cream if it feels hot and sunny to prevent us getting sunburn. The rest of the time we run around with our skin completely open to the air and the sun.
I find we are all very slightly tanned from May to October as our skin is naturally adapting to the normal sunlight levels.

I am not young, but unbelievably do not look like a wizened 3 month old apple.

There is research showing that Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, which are the ones being absorbed at very high rates in the human body are also responsible for bleaching the coral reefs.

Hawaii has already banned products containing those chemicals, similar measures have been voted in Florida.

@TheKitchenWitch Biore is what I use - absolutely brilliant. Haven't tried the Neutrogena but it would have to be bloody good to beat it. I order it through Amazon.

My moisturiser has SPF15 in it as does my hand cream so yes I wear sunscreen every day. Most people are surprised to hear how old I am so I must be getting it right!

I care about my skin and use chemical exfoliants and retinol in my skincare routine so yes I use a sunscreen every day. LRP Anthelios is fantastic and can I use instead of a moisturiser/primer

SPF in moisturisers/foundations are just a marketing gimmick . There is not enough spf in them to offer any protection so if you are using AHA/BHA/Retinols you do need a daily sunscreen .

There does seem to be some controversy as to whether the SPF in moisturisers and foundations is actually effective. Does anyone know for sure?

@TheKitchenWitch no I haven't heard of that sunscreen but sure it would be worth a try. I get mine from either ebay or Amazon so it's easy to get hold of but takes about a month to come. I order one when I start a new pack if that makes sense.
I only use sunscreen on my face and neck every day (and my chest of in wearing a low top) so I will still absorb vit D on the rest of my body.

OP a quick Google suggests not

www.webmd.com/beauty/features/sunscreen-and-your-makeup-routine

I honestly only ever wear it when on holiday abroad, or maybe a touch on my shoulders on a particularly sunny day. If I'm wearing foundation then that's got spf but to be honest I've stopped wearing make up now my skins improved. Then again, I use two prescribed gels on my face so unsure whether suncream could stop those working so well.

I wear Hawaiian Tropic Factor 0 "for the tan of the islands", if it gets warm.

I don't like the feel of sun cream so only wear it on fairly hot days. I use 50 spf as that's what I put on my daughter. I don't know anyone who wears it everyday.

My partner tans very easily but won't use the 50 spf only a 10 one which I don't think protects enough. His parents are complete sun worshippers and are always tanned which I think is dangerous. I prefer a bit of balance.

Since finding out about the tumor growing chemicals in most suncreams, I've only bought natural ones for the children and only ever use them on days out (I'm in UK so not much sun anyways!) The nursery smother my daughter for 30mins in the shade which I feel completely unnecessary!

I’ve just been told to by my dermatology consultant. I have a tiny BCC, came out of the blue. It is cancer but won’t spread elsewhere. Very common. Will be removed.She said 50 factor every day, your skin has had enough sun.

I have never been a sunbather and have always put cream on in the sun.

Skin cancer is rising here. She did a full body check but it was only on my face that had a BCC.

Now looking for a really good 50 spf face cream to use daily.Any recommendations? Currently using Clinique city block 40 which is good.

I am very pale and pretty terrified of sunburn, but i really rarely wear it because of vit d and it's bloody horrible stuff.
I check the weather for the day and assess how long I'll be out in it, and ability to stay in the shade, then it's factor 30.

I do the same assessment with my child (except use factor 50) and only ever been caught out once, and he picked up a tiny bit of colour

Too much exposure to UV heightens your risk of skin cancer, you don’t need to be sunburnt. I’ve never been sunburnt on my face but that is where I got a BCC.

I’m much more careful now. I wear it every day and wish I’d worn it more when younger. My DH has skin cancer and isn’t particularly fair skinned. Entirely caused by sun damage. Has to wear sunscreen every day, even in winter. The damage hits you later on in life.

@F1zzB1zz I'm afraid Cityblock is not that great when it comes to UVA protection levels - I found this out a few years ago and switched to a fantastic product called Biore watery essence (which I heard about on here). I buy it 5 packs a time on Amazon as its not available in the UK and really recommend it. It feels very fresh and not at all greasy.

@Ginlife can you share the evidence you've seen on this - I've not come across any reputable sources that show chemical screens cause cancer.

If you are serious about your skin regimen then sun protection should play a large part in it. I agree with other posters who have said that makeup/foundation/moisturisers with an added spf are not enough to protect your skin. You should look for a broad spectrum protection with UVA and UVB protection, preferably factor 50.
UVA rays (responsible for ageing) are always present whether the day is cloudy/overcast or not. I have posted this before but please look for the image online of the truck driver whose face was exposed on one side throughout his working years in the cab of his truck (the other half was in shade). It is remarkable, and just shows how much damage the sun can do to our face.
the gold standard for facial skin care is retin A and SPF (which is a necessity if you use retin A as your face become much more susceptible to sun damage). I live in Scotland and wear factor 50 every day, rain or shine, on my face, neck and décolletage. It definitely reduces the rate at which your face ages. Yes wrinkles are a natural part of ageing, but if you can slow down the process, why not? Sun accelerates ageing, so protecting your skin is only common sense.

I’ve had a relative have a horrific case of skin cancer and she’s now disfigured (most of her nose is gone). She never ever sunbathed or went on sunbeds etc, had an indoor job etc. She got the cancer from daily exposure to the sun going about her day to day life.

I religiously wear sunscreen every single day.

And I take Vit D religiously too!