Suncream recommendations?

[AwkwardPaws27]

I'm crap at summer. Probable autism, although not diagnosed.

Every year I end up getting burnt. I've just managed to get a bit red today (chest / tips of arms / nose). I would have almost certainly burnt my shoulders but DH put some suncream on those for me.

I don't like applying suncream, I don't like the sensation much (although mostly on my hands, I don't find it too bad on the rest of my body) but mostly I just don't remember to do it and also it's a faff to apply around clothing. Or I apply it badly, miss spots and end up with random red patches...

Any recommendations? Is there something I'm missing? I'm also terrible at dressing correctly for the weather so can't rely on taking appropriate clothing to cover up instead, although I'm trying to do this more.

Have you tried a mineral based one? I find them less greasy.

I bought a face cream with SPF 15 and use that on my face, chest and neck. I just keep it in my wardrobe with my deodorant and hairbrush (a recent revelation!) so I remember to apply it when I get dressed if it's a sunny day. It's not as sticky as sun cream but it does seem to work and helps me avoid getting burned. I originally bought it because I hate having sun cream on my face. I don't really like face cream either, but I thought it would probably rub in more and be less likely to get into my mouth and those things have been true.

I have actually put some on my arms/shoulders before as well although generally I just wear t-shirts with the shoulders covered, I keep vest type tops for sleeping in, and only expose my shoulders if I'm swimming.

I also have a smaller roll on sun cream that I just keep in my bag so that I can quickly apply some to my arms or top up if I worry that I might be burning. I can generally feel when I'm burning so that would prompt me to go oh yes I have some in my bag. I bought it for the kids but I use it for me!

Do you have any dressing/morning routines you can "hang" this on? I find applying at home when I'm not fully dressed yet also means I can just be really liberal with it and then wash my hands 3x so I can't feel it on my hands any more.

No, but I'll add it to my shopping list to try!

You've reminded me that I did do this with face stuff & avoided facial redness the last couple of years. My moisturiser has SPF 25 - but I've totally failed to apply it for weeks.

In my defence I have a 3 week old baby. I'm lucky if I shower & clean my teeth at the moment, but I definitely need to get back to a proper routine so now is a good time to add in sunscreen to it...

The roll on sounds great but I have zero awareness of burning while it's happening so definitely need to build it into a morning routine I think.

This thread is super helpful, thanks OP. I have what I guess would be described as sensory issues with suncream, especially on my hands so I'm another that has to wash them lots if I try to wear it. The problem being that that doesn't solve the feeling of having it on the rest of me! I rarely go in the sun so I solve the issue that way, but I got horribly burnt whilst running a stall at a craft fair over the jubilee weekend (I stupidly thought my gazebo would protect me and wore a dress) and I've got some others coming up. I tried a roll on one as thought I wouldn't need to touch it as much, but it literally just applies it so I still had to rub it in. I had a deep uncomfortable couple of hours then had to scrub it off, it just doesn't ever feel like it's absorbed when I try them. Sorry, so long, what I'd love to know is has anyone found one that completely 'disappears' once applied? As in you apply it, rub it in and hopefully soon after you don't have the feeling that you're wearing a bodysuit made of clingy grease. Gah, shuddering just thinking of it!!

Ambre Solaire dry mist is great.
I've been using this a few years and after a minute or two you can't feel it on your skin

I have four different types depending on the day I’m having. Sometimes I can’t stand the cream ones; sometimes I don’t like the alcohol sprays. Sometimes I just stay indoors.

I find it's a bit better if I apply it before getting dressed, rub it in well then wait a few minutes for it to soak in before putting clothes on. Still doesn't feel great but at least then the neck of my top doesn't feel sodden and greasy.

I hate having it on my forehead as I sweat and then cream runs into my eyes and stings, but I have a thick fringe now. Still looking for a reliably non-itchy sunhat.

Ah, the dry mist one sounds great. I invested in a bucket hat for this year, I love it! It fits but isn't tight anywhere, and is label free. It keeps the sun off my head and face.

What about a "once" type one, that lasts 8 hours, and using a makeup sponge to apply it? I hate having suncream on my hands, and this way I can apply suncream to my kids and not get sticky. It also lasts an age so doesnt need redoing often. I tend to wear long sleeve thin cardigans everywhere, as well as a hat and sunglasses in the summer, and that makes a big difference- I just build them into my outfit so I am always wearing them whatever the weather. I also second (third?) The suggestion for a spf face cream- I do this, I keep it on my sink so when I have brushed my teeth, I am reminded to wash my face and put the cream on. I use the Nivea face cream.

@PangoPurrl could you link to that hat? Sounds like the holy grail of hats

I'm embarrassed to say it's all the way from Australia @Trivester 😳 In a moment of complete lack of impulse control I ordered a cardigan, skirt and the hat because the cardigan came up in a sponsored post on insta! They all feature prints with cats. I have no idea how to link I'm afraid, but the company is called Origami Doll. There was a small issue with my order, which resulted in me discovering that their customer service is a bit pants, but the items I got are all lovely.

Oh wow @DinosaurOfFire the sponge idea is genius! I'm going to use the fact I've never worn make up as an excuse for not thinking of it myself!

I ordered some Hawaiian Tropic mineral sun milk suncream. Much nicer texture, doesn't have that sticky feeling. It also smells like coconuts, which is a smell I really like, so another incentive to use it. On the downside it's £10 for 100ml so not the cheapest option, will be interesting to see how long a bottle lasts.

It's a bit overcast here today but I applied to my arms, chest and shoulders after showering - I think that needs to be the thing I "hang" it on, a morning shower and then apply suncream before dressing.

@PangoPurrl ha ha I love that. Just the sort of thing I’d do too.
But I can’t quite justify shipping from Australia when it’s not a mad whim of a moment! The search for the perfect had will just have to continue.

Oops! Yeah, sorry about that! I've just started on methylphenidate and I haven't done anything impulsive for over a week, it's so good! I'll definitely be on the hunt for another, more locally made, bucket hat- as obviously I'll lose this one at some point 😹 Will let you know if I find a good one. TBF I'm kind of hoping all bucket hats are much of a muchness, but probably for no good reason!

I use a suncream called "Powder Dri" by Banana Boat, it's not the cheapest but once you apply it it truly does dry quickly so it's completely dry to the touch. I HATE sticky, greasy suncream, this stuff is pricey but a million times better which means I actually use it.

I have the sort of fair, Celtic pale-blue skin that burns if I look out the window on a sunny day.

I am autistic rather than ADD, so I do have a skin-care routine, and I find that having everything in front of me helps - wash face, apply serum, apply moisturiser, apply sunscreen, job done.

I like this - it's mineral-based and non-greasy.