To not wear sunscreen in winter in northern England?

[thepox]

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

AIBU?

My pleasure! 😊Unless you’re in the mood to pamper yourself, I think that a solid routine doesn't need to take more than 5-10 minutes. It’s about figuring out what works for you and paring down as much as possible while keeping in the fundamentals.

I will say, though, you’re unlikely to get decent coverage from a moisturiser with added SPF. You’re better off getting separate products.

Utter bollocks! Melanoma (the most serious kind) can be genetic.
I am truly baffled by the complete lack of awareness and intelligence on this thread. There’s so much awareness of the dangers and damage caused by UV rays, why would anyone not protect their skin in this day and age? It’s a bit like claiming smoking is harmless! At least people who still smoke are actually aware of what they are doing. Those who think melanoma isn’t that common and won’t happen to them need to do some research too.

Right well I’ve said I wear suncream all year round. I was merely addressing the poster who said she never wore suncream because nobody in her family had had skin cancer therefore she didn’t need to. Which I still maintain is ridiculous.

I apologise- there clearly is a genetic component to skin cancer. But just because you don’t have skin cancer in your family doesn’t mean you get away with not wearing skin cream. That was my point.

Skin cancer rates have sky rocketed so clearly there’s more than a genetic/family history element going on.

Sun cream.

I think you completely misunderstood my post @Oxterguff and clearly haven’t read the whole thread. I was responding sarcastically to a poster who claimed they didn’t need to wear suncream ever because they had no family history of skin cancer in their family. And then also admitted to smoking. So I concurred that wearing suncream for anti-aging purposes for her would be completely pointless since she is damaging her skin through smoking (and the rest.)

I might if I spent much time outside. I live in Cumbria and spend Monday to Friday in the winter leaving my house for work in the car when it's still dark and coming home when it's practically dark again. Unless you have an outdoor job, how much time do you actually spend per week exposed to the elements?!

There are still UVA rays no matter the weather.

Oh another one of these threads. I didn't use to bother but now that I've had two skin cancers on my face removed I do so now every day. Was never a sun worshiper but just unlucky I guess to have pale skin that burns easily.

I only wear SPF moisturiser in the UK late spring onwards. I can't wear it around my eyes and it's so much easier just to put my non-SPF lotion all over . I do always wear a light foundation or BB cream on top that has SPF though.

I didn't bother, but I realised I should, because I use either retinol or acid serums, so I do it now.

I'll admit that I've never understood how there could be a risk from the sun's rays in winter . And I'm quite confused with the advice about getting sun on your skin (without sunscreen) in order to produce vitamin d .

Thanks @PousseyNotMoira. I've been out and got some this morning

I can't spend long enough exposed to the sun without SPF to get vitamin D as I burn so easily (redhead) plus my mum had skin cancer
I just take a daily supplement

Nope, not really. I explained the necessity of that practice in my post as well as the fact that those 5mins do not alter the tone of my skin = does not affect melanin cells to any notable level. The cell DNA damage (and so the accompanying cancer risks) and UV-induced immune-suppression are only considerable with melanin cell activation, hence "burning" the skin being the highest risk, closely followed by chronic exposure (3 x weekly in most studies) of tanning.

From the scientists currently working on establishing a measured, scientific approach to low-level "normal" sun exposure (walk in a sunny park type):

There is also abundant evidence showing that sunlight effects, especially of “very low doses,” are indeed beneficial and not only due to Vitamin D synthesis. We believe that plenty of work has yet to be done in the field of photoimmunology, which needs to cover the impact not only of “very low doses” of radiation, but also of exposure to non-UV light (focusing on the effects of various doses) on the immune system.

I love a scientific approach to health/longevity/ beauty industry. Practically I can say that for me the activation of photoimmunology has great benefits to my over-all health. I used to be an all-exposure avoider but have changed since adverse effects of doing so.
And at nearly 37 I'm yet to develop a wrinkle. I'm regularly thought to be in my early 20s. It's just genetics and oily skin. Maybe due to not smoking. But definitely not due to any sun-screen.

I wear SPF every day just to keep the habit, and because I use a retinol. I do use less during winter.

I wear spf 50 on my face and neck year round. I am keen to protect my skin from signs of aging and reduce the risk of skin cancer.

I know I should but I don't - I only wear sunscreen when the sun feels hot and strong (probably late April to September?) All sunscreens seem to give me spots, so I have rubbish skin in summer and it really gets to me.

I have olive skin which rarely burns and I don't like to sunbathe or spend a lot of time in the sun. My mum's mid-70s and her skin is great, so hopefully genes are on my side.

37 is pretty young though. Most people don’t have wrinkles at 37. Sun damage takes years to show up.

I do believe in the benefits of sun on my skin so I compromise and expose arms, legs when I can but keep face protected for ageing. It’s far more effective in terms of producing vitamin D to expose larger areas of skin.

I got sunburnt yesterday in the Peak District. But it isn't winter anymore its spring. I have previously got sunburn in the North of England in February

I'm genuinely curious as to how many people are spending enough time per day outside in winter in the UK to make it necessary to wear sunscreen. I've just been on a 2.5hr walk in the very bright sunshine, so I did wear sunscreen, but it's the first time I have since September! We have precious little sun in Cumbria from October to July March!

Yes I do wear it every day because I have melanoma, awful cancer and I wouldn't wish it on anyone

I walk the dog for an hour and a half each day then often run for an hour too. I did read incremental exposure all adds up - so even 20/30 mins outside. Then UVA rays penetrate glass - so if you’re say by a window/ in the car. Plus radiation from computer screens.

Plus UVA rays penetrate clouds. This has been mentioned so many times.

And I think that's fair and sensible!

It's also scientifically proven that sun exposure has beneficial effects on auto-immune conditions by suppressing auto-immunity and promoting epidermal thickness and skin's barrier function. Hence the anecdotal evidence experienced by so many, of eczema improving on a sunny holiday (was the case for my child too) and some types of psiroasis going into a complete remission.
I do use face-creams and make-up so I'm most likely getting a dose of SPF with those products too. Sometimes I place a T-shirt over my face in the sunbed.
Everything's in dosage and moderation : red meat, wine & sun.

I'm sort of preaching to the converted, sorry! I do believe the whole narrative around "sun is harmful, end of" will change soon.

Ha I do the same with a t-shirt. Yep completely agree. Loads of benefits from some sensible sun exposure - it has been much demonised. Think it also lowers blood pressure, improves mood. The science on autoimmune conditions is impressive. Always a balance.