To not wear sunscreen in winter in northern England?

[thepox]

Just don't see the point, yet every advice says to indeed bother.

AIBU?

No. Only use when you need it. It reduces vitamin D production

Unless you are a scientist with research that refutes the above linked research from skin cancer specialists (in which case, please post it) no, it doesn't.

Judgement post. My skin is absolutely fine

Nano particles in sunscreen could have long term effects that we don’t know about. No way would I wear sunscreen in the north in winter. And I reckon most people don’t. Men for example - never met one who wears it in winter.

https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sun-protection-and-vitamin-d/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20the%20prevailing%20studies,UV%20rays%20reach%20your%20skin.

Scroll down.

You: AIBU?
Me: yes, this is why.
You: judgement!

Do what you like, OP. Your skin is your business. 😂

If it was beneficial for me to wear SPF all year round in the UK then my skin wouldn't be this colour.

I don’t - I wear factor 50 in spring / summer but have even got a bit lax with that. I find them a bit greasy so don’t love putting it on under makeup. Would love to hear great options - I’ve tried Kiehls and Cerave. I prefer the latter so far but it’s about a third of the price.

The ones specially formulated for facial skin are a whole new ballgame.
Biore watery essence spf50 is a thin lotion and probably the best I've ever used. Sometimes hard to get hold of though. I'm using Garnier spf50 for the face at the moment, and at about a fiver, it's brilliant.

It's really surprising how many people on MN only wear sunscreen when "it's hot"
I wear SPF 50 every day.

If that's the case, and lots of people according to this thread are wearing spf year round, how come I have never seen anyone apart from myself reapplying sunscreen while going about their normal day? I wear it on all my exposed skin when the UV is medium or higher and if I am for example out shopping for a while or out for a walk, am often to be seen reapplying (sometimes at the mirror in public or shop toilets, sometimes just outside). I've only ever seen others reapply when by the pool on holiday, or as a spectator at an all day outdoor sports event.

You’re not going to make vitamin D from the sun between Oct and April in this country. To make vitamin D we need to expose a large area of skin (so not the face) say arms and legs - so better to do that from April (sensibly) and keep the face protected. Supplement vitamin D in winter.

I reapply it in my house. But I agree it’s not common practice. Doesn’t mean it’s not a good thing to do to protect your skin though.

Thanks for the is, I’ve just ordered myself a bottle! Normally I use face sun cream, but this looks better for every day use.

Because most people are not. If they were then the shelves and shelves of sunscreen that we see filling the shops in the summer would be there the whole year round.

What you have here is a thread title that simply appeals to the small number of people who feel compelled/ can be arsed to use sunscreen throughout the year.

I don't think you've understood how AIBU works. Or indeed the internet, we don't know who you are, this isn't facebook, you could be Cleopatra. (also we don't care).

I'm supposed to for my autoimmune condition but I cannot stand anything on my face. I haven't worn make up in forty years because of it. I will put some on in the middle of summer on holiday to prevent burning but that is it (and still hate it).

I have bought a lot of MN non greasy suggestions and they have still felt greasy and dont absorb properly!

What's your skincare routine like?

Interesting
My son has an organ transplant and his consultants say to use sunscreen every day from April to October as his medication makes him more likely to get skin cancer as it causes photosensitivity.
They said you don't need to bother from October to April.

It’s two separate issues really. I wear sunscreen all year round to prevent ageing of skin. I don’t believe wearing spf 50 on my face in winter is preventing skin cancer. It’s helpIng slow down ageing.

I wear suncream in summer to prevent skin cancer but will expose arms and legs for 20-30 mins to get the vitamin D (without suncream).

According to Defra you don't
uk-air.defra.gov.uk/data/uv-index-graphs

Change the date to winter months and it says you need no protection.

I don’t think people are understanding this.
UV levels that are quoted here are UVB - so the burning rays. So no - if getting sunburnt is your main concern then you don’t need to wear suncream in winter.

If you care about ageing of the skin then you should wear it in on your face all year round. As UVA (ageing rays) are present at the same strength all year round.

If you don’t care about ageing then fine don’t wear it.

That's what I thought it was too.
I don't care about getting wrinkles at all and couldn't be doing with the faff of wearing sunscreen all year round.

I guess it depends if you're concerned about actual burning or "just" aging. For some people sunspots and lines are a potential horror, for others they're just something you get as the years go by 🤷‍♀️

However as the population ages it is more cancer prone, and that includes skin cancer, so you might as well be sensible. Some people are obsessive though.

Yes and that’s completely fair enough!

It’s important people understand the difference. I wholly accept I am doing it from a vanity/ageing perspective in the winter.