Suntan lotion question?

[PassingStranger]

Anyone else confused about the different factors of sun cream available?
Going on holiday soon. What do you buy for an adult? Factor 50 or 30?

There are also special suncreams for the face?
What would you buy, bearing in mind skin has not had much exposure to the sun this year so far?

I don't think you need two - that's a rip off.

I also don't think most people would particularly need 50 more than 30... just remember to reapply regularly!

Personally I prefer mineral sunscreens that deflect sun away from the skin.

I use Supergoop and I always use 50 SPF. I'm pale and a strawberry blonde who goes to countries with vicious sun though. I don't use a separate face one, because the one I use doesn't affect me. I used to use a mineral powder on my face because I react so badly to so many.

I always use 50 (you don't need a separate one for your face)

30 at least and aftersun
You can get something for your lips as well.
Sun on them can make them cracked and sore.

Factor 50, just use the same one for body and face and have a decent hat

If it helps, there’s not a lot of difference in protection between 30 and 50.

I'd get 30 and wear a hat and cover my skin during the hottest part of the day.

I never use less than 50.

I buy 30 or 50, don't burn with either so it's whichever is most convenient. My doctor said there's not really much between them in practice because you can't get enough peak day sun to need more than 30x your "base" amount. The important thing is to put it on 10-20 minutes before you go out and reapply often enough.

I only bother with a separate one for my face if the main one is difficult to put on (e.g. a spray one) or I think it will sting my eyes (like Banana Boat stuff always does). Face ones tend to be more expensive so I don't use them elsewhere.

50- wear it all year round on my face and hands. Wish I'd spent more time on my neck over the years.

Even if it's only a little bit more effective, I'd go for as high as you can buy.

My doctor said there's not really much between them in practice because you can't get enough peak day sun to need more than 30x your "base" amount

SPF 30 gives you around 97% protection. SPF 50 gives around 98%. That is why there isn’t much between them in practice.

How do you know?

You realise that's just how maths works, right?

I use a different one on my face because general ones are too heavy for my skin.

I use E45 50 on my face as it doesn't sting my eyes.

I get a spray mist 100 from the states (from Amazon) which really helps with shoulders and chest and nivea kids 50 for the rest of my body.

I re-apply often and have still burnt a bit today. I think regular water dipping makes it less effective and sun reflects off 💧

Me - dark hair, blue eyes, burns easily - one of the 50 nivea ones for my face, use this at home during the summer too. Body - start at 30, move to 20 after a few days.

Husband - dark hair, brown eyes, takes a good tan - starts at 20 and moves to 15, uses the same for his face

It really depends on your skin type I think. I have dark hair, blue eyes and burn easily - I used 30 in Florida last year, reapplying throughout the day and didn't burn once. I do use a separate facial sunscreen as I find the normal ones to be quite heavy and irritate my eyes.

My husband who also has dark hair and blue eyes but tans quite easily will use whatever I buy lol but will usually buy a 20 or 15 a few days in.

30 on my body - applied regularly - I buy Aldi/own brand stuff as it's usually better than fancy stuff

50 on my face and a hat - I'm old and don't need any more wrinkles - I buy face specific ones with the money I've saved on generic body stuff

Is it? Even when the increase in protection isn’t linear?

I use 30 mostly
You get facial sunscreen too

I always use a different one for my face as otherwise I get dreadful spots & I have really sensitive skin. Most people probably wouldn't need to but I definitely do. Always factor 50 when on holiday too (mainly as it doesn't need to be applied as often & I'm lazy. Never been burnt yet!)

I've recently discovered loreal 50 spf face cream, I was in 25 and didn't burn

Has anyone used all day suncream and been successful with it? Something like P20?

@Yesmate you'll still sweat that off tbh if it's hot and humid. Even if it's meant to be waterproof.

I sometimes use a face one, if I’m going somewhere and don’t want to be all shiny, I also find makeup goes over it better. Spf 50 all the way for us or 100 if we are in America, got some at Disney and it was great.