Question for Aloha!

[noddy5]

I hope you don't mind me picking your brains but I know you are the expert on this topic.I need a very high factor suncream as I have had a kidney transplant and am prone to skin cancer from the drugs I have to take but the doctor recommended one and it goes all white and chalky not a good look.Have tried Liz Earle but also very white and looks silly over a fake tan!Do you know of ant that rub in well and are factor 20+?I know I shouldn't be so vain but am a total beauty product junkie!

bump

Hello! Can't advise on specific products - trial and error might be your best plan here. Sorry. And I can see it must be an extra pain having to take precautions, but congrats on the successful transplant.
However, here's what I can help with from stuff I've written about skin cancer in the past! You should be able to find an effective sunscreen that doesn't make you look glow-in-the-dark. Titanium Dioxide screens are considered to be slightly more effective than chemical screens (Titanium Dioxide is a mineral and give the screen the white, glittery quality), but formulations with micronized particles should be less visible. However, the official advice is that you should never rely on sunscreen alone as there is no proof that it is actually protective against cancer (though it is protective against sunburn) - as once it is on people tend to have a false sense of safety and put themselves in the sun. Choose a high factor - at least SPF 15 (SPFs higher than that may not provide as much more protection as you might think) and with a four star UVA protection rating. Any brand will do. It is much better to use it often enough and thickly enough than to buy an expensive one and use less. You should apply at least every two hours while you are in the sun, and apply a layer at least a millimetre thick on all exposed areas (you can then rub it in), starting about 20mins before you go into the sun. It is more important to cover up with a densely woven fabric and to stay indoors or in the shade esp during the hours of 11 to 3pm. That is more effective than any sunscreen. I've just tried some of the sunscreens in my bathroom cabinet and found the Vichy sunblock isn't too white, nor is the BKamins spf30 and there is one I got as a sample - DDF - doctor's Dermatologic formula by Howard Sobel that promises SPF 30 and is pretty invisible - good for the face I'd say. HTH!

thankyou so much!I never sunbathe and am a fake tan expert but still want to heed the doctor's advice.I will give the howard sobel a go

Hi Noddy5,
Don't know if this helps but I use a factor 30 form Clarins on my face every day form April to sept as a mositurizer. I have tried many brands but stick with htat one as it disapears into my face and dosn't sit there - IYKWIM!!

noddy5,

I have no suggestions --- just wanted to congratulate you on having a successful transplant!

Paying for a 'name' will not get you a better skin protection, but the formulation may sub in better for you. I have to use high protection levels as I have very pale skin and find the Boots Soltan products are good, as are the No-ad ones that you can buy in Asdas. A broad brimmed hat would be a good idea as well.

noddy, I just bought some l'Oreal "Solar Expertise" in Tesco - it's normally £12 a bottle but is on BOGOF at the moment. (Hope that doesn't finish tonight!) From the description it sounds as if it works like the Proderm (?) that CD recommends. There is a Factor 25 (which I bought) and a 40; have been trying to find a website with details but this lotion is new apparently.

"Advanced sun protection lotion - with activa-cell, developed to reinforce the skin's natural repair process" - that's the bit that sounds like Proderm. Has 4* UVA protection. I haven't tried it in the sun (just bought it) but rubbed some in earlier and it isn't white, has a nice smell and feels good on. Whether it works as well as the titanium dioxide ones is another matter.

(I get horrible prickly heat and mostly cover up with clothes but need something for arms, neck, feet, face etc.)