To ask for suncream recommendations because I am sick to death of covering every inch of my body?

[itstoohottofunction]

I am 99% sure my mother has lied to me about my father and she actually procreated with Casper the friendly Ghost.

I am so pale that I am translucent in places. I turn pink within seconds in the sun. Yesterday I was out for probably a grand total of an hour in a vest and im still pink. I used SPF50.

Ironically I love the sun and I am a heat seeker. I cannot stand wearing long trousers and tops all day, especially when I’m active in the sun. Ideally it’ll be a mist that I can spray over my shoulders while out and about to keep coverage up, but I think at this point I need an industrial strength one. Any recommendations?!

If you are also looking for a face one this is great https://beautyofjoseon.com/products/relief-sun-aqua-fresh-rice-b5-spf50-pa-uk
goes on easy, no white / residue. Feels light on the skin but the protection is great. There serum one is great too

I’ve got such pale skin I glow under UV lights. No joke!
I swear by the Soltan One Day long factor 30 spray for the first morning application when I’m in a hot climate. It’s lighter than the cream version I find the factor 30 works just as well as the 50 without the extra claggy feeling. This really does protect my skin for hours, but it is a bit oily and does stain clothes. I do try to spend as much time in the shade where possible though.

I also use the Biore UV Aqua Rich watery essence spf 50 - specifically the Japanese NOT the British one - on days I’m wearing white clothing as it doesn’t stain and feels like nothing on the skin when it’s dried down. Annoyingly the one that’s available in boots isn’t the same and does stain. I have to buy that from a specific website and it takes ages to arrive but it’s the absolute best I’ve tried although it doesn’t last as long as the soltan one day long so needs reapplication. For anyone that has sensory issues with suncream I can’t recommend this one more highly.

I like the soltan dry spray for a quick shoulder and arm top up.

I’m pale but sallow. I do burn, though - and there’s been skin cancer in three members of my close family - so I’m super careful.

I use Biore Aqua Rich on my face, and then (ideally Neutrogena) sunscreen - always SPF50 - all over. I top up with a spray, which is ideal for the bits I can’t reach.
I like the Aldi & Lidl clear sprays, and also Ambre Solaire.
My base one is usually a cream such as Altruist, or Ambre Solaire too.
Topping up regularly, especially if swimming/sweating a lot, is absolutely key.

When I go to Australia every couple of years, I get about $200 of sunscreens! It’s formulated differently there, and you can get other brands - Neutrogena & the Cancel Council are probably my favourites. I like Invisible Zinc too, which would be my favourite for being in the water.

Snap on the Biore one! It’s a great base for makeup too.

I have this one to try when my L’Oréal one runs out!

Piz buin 30 on body
piz buin mountain 50 on face
la rosy 50 if in water longer

You can’t avoid covering up though. You need to wear cool linen or muslin cotton fabrics if you get hot. They keep cool whilst covering

I live in southern Europe and vests are only worn by old men under shirts. Never see anyone walking around in a vest as it’s seen as underwear and a fools way to burn. It’s 35 degrees often all summer ( so around 3-4 mo the of the year) and I wear dresses that cover my shoulders at least and back, and ideally knee length most of the time. That way it’s far easier to just re apply to arms, face and lower legs as needed.

Also generally just don’t go for a walk in the peak daytime unless avoidable. I aim to get most things outside done between 7am-9.30am, and 6pm-9pm. Otherwise it’s quick walks between places in the shade

Also - just to add, make sure you’re using enough. Many people aren’t. So, two fingers worth for face/neck/ears. It may take a bit of rubbing in, but you need enough coverage.

Family have had skin cancers removed - and skin grafts - from their nose, ear, and back of hand, so remember to make sure you’re including back of hands too!

The Aussies will know all about preventing burns in the sun. They cover up, and so do locals in all hot countries. They must know something others don't or won't listen to! They use sun protection of course, but staying out of the sun and/or covering up when in it is the key. We just have to remember that those who live in hot climates do not expose much bare skin at all, except on the beach, and it's sun tents and brollies, hats and rash vests all the way there.

I use the Boots own brand aerosol spray. I’m often alone with just a 3yo and disabled 10yo who cannot help. I’m ginger and fair and as long as I top it up a couple of times a day I’m fine with their factor 50

We use altruist here I’m fair, and one of my children is especially so and altruist has never let us down.
However I also wear a wide brim hat, the kids wear hats and we all wear rash vests, board shorts rather than skimpy swim wear.
I know you’ve said you don’t like to wear too many clothes however I’m been wandering around in a cotton maxi dress outside with a pair of chub rub shorts underneath and I’ve been pretty comfortable and no hotter than when I was wandering around in a vest/shorts inside.

Neutrogena factor 70 - you can get it online / abroad - works well

Totally agree with this. I used a Nivea children's sunscreen this weekend which was an SPF 50 and it worked pretty well. But I cover my shoulders and I did wear longer trousers one of the days.

Also incredibly pale, I use what I buy for the kids. Base layer of la Roche posay long wearing anti sweat etc kids one. A good application and ten mins to dry in before getting dressed, be warned, it’s very yellow, but works so well and my skin doesn’t react to it. Then top up every 60 mins max with the amber solaire kids mist spray as it’s a quick top up when on the go.

Meant to add, on my face I use the cera ve spf 50 moisturiser, followed by super goop spf 30 as primes and gives a lovely glow, and then over my make up the amber solaire over makeup spray which I keep in my bag on all day with the body mist. It’s a process, but seems to work. I tend to always cover my shoulders and wear longer length dresses in any case, but super lightweight ones in this weather.

You need to change your clothes as well as your sunscreen I think.
I have some forgotten tribe hareem pants and a linen shirt and they are lovely and cool.
my issue isn’t so much burning but insect bites. However after a few trips to the canaries in my forties I have lots of sun damage on my arms now (keratoses) and a family history of squamous cell carcinoma. Id never expose my back as that is practically guaranteed to burn if you don’t tan easily. Shoulders are also a hot spot for burns.

To add my two penneth worth……
Ideally for non-face use Isdin Pediatrics/children's spf50 gel (wet skin). Super creamy and absorbent.
For face, Isdin Magic Water SPF50.
Alternatively, the Eucerin alternatives.
Combine with wide brimmed hat and At least covered shoulders.

Isdin/Eucerin is expensive, however they are extremely good and you do feel like you are getting your money’s worth. You could try Isdin this year and Eucerin next.
Isdin is Spanish (the home of sunburned visitors) and Eucerin is German.

As I cycle a lot, and only need a 60 minute protection for it, I also use Aldi Lacura spf50 sensitive cream. It’s sticky, it’s cheap, it works. Would not recommend it as a daily non-sport cream though.

Same, but the cream one. It applies like a moisturiser

Covering up in the sun is not being “uncomfortable for the sake of it”.

Uncomfortable is disfiguring surgery for skin cancer in your 30s requiring skin grafts. Uncomfortable is the fear (thankfully not the case), the cancer has spread.

And I have always worn sun screen. Never used a tanning bed. Burnt (mildly) maybe 5 times?

You are being utterly ridiculous and foolish about your health for the sake of a strappy top.

I know you won’t listen but hopefully someone else will read this and think again about how they approach sun safety.

I bet there’s wax in the factor 50 & that’s what’s causing you to burn. I can’t use ambre solier or Nivea but have used factor 30 Hawaiian tropic for years now & haven’t burnt - unless I’ve missed a bit

There is an Australian brand called SunSense which is dermatologist recommended. Remember any sunscrern doesn't last long, you need to keep reapplying through the day.

Most people don't put on enough to get the listed spf. If you read guidance etc, you need to be really slathering it on and letting it soak in for at least a half hour

I have olive-ish skin but burn very badly (the doctor has recommended against sun exposure and I have had painful interventions by the dermatologist). More common than people realise, and something to look out for if you are with diverse groups of children, etc.

Useful thread, thanks.

I find the lidl spray on really good, easy to apply to myself and works well on pale skin

Ginger with a side of sickly Victorian child, I use P20 in factor 50 and never burn, it lasts 10 hours as well

This is by no way a brag or humble brag of any kind but for context we’ve been to Thailand, Maldives and Greece in high season last couple of years and I absolutely swear by Aldi’s factor 50 spray. It’s better than anything else I’ve tried both supermarket and high end!