Worth starting sunscreen at 46?

[LBDD]

In a nutshell I'm coming up 46, outside lots, rarely wear makeup or moisturiser and wondering if it's worth starting to wear sunscreen on my face now or if I've left it too late.
I've started to get a darkish line above my lip and my skin is definitely looking my age (at least). If I start wearing factor 50 every day now will it do anything?

Never too late to start protecting your skin. I'm bumping this for you in the hope someone can recommend a product as I don't think you need factor 50.

From a beauty perspective, it's never too late.

From a (hopefully non-patronising) health perspective, you should be wearing sun protection. There are some quite nice facial sunscreens out there that don't feel too heavy or oily and aren't chalky like sunblock. You won't know you're wearing it and your skin will thank you for it!

yes. Nothing will reverse previous damage but it will help reduce the increase. Obviously genetics and smiling will do more.

use real sunscreen, not stupid 'city block' nonsense. Factor 30 is plenty, look out for Ambre solaire stuff on special offer.

wear April to October in UK. Unless you are a total troglodyte, you'll still get your vitamin D.

Thank you I know I should but I've always hated the feeling of wearing stuff on my skin and always go really shiny no matter what I use. I've seen Sunsense recommended on here before and thought it looked worth a try. I don't have a tache so really don't want to look as though I have.

specialsubject

Really surprised that you seem not to like City Block- Clinique- if that's what you mean?

It has 4 stars and is a sun block spf 40 UVA/UVB. They would not be allowed to use that rating if it didn't perform.

Many of the products you suggest are not cosmetically acceptable for the face unless they are formulated for that.

I've used City Block for around 25 years after I had some non-sun related treatment for my skin and was told to avoid the sun for a while. I swear by it and am often told I look years younger- have no wrinkles or pigmentation.

I use it 365 days of the year - you are still at risk from sun's rays even on cloudy days.

I've tried Sunsense and it's okay but a bit greasy.
Boots No & also do a facial protector which is reasonably cheap especially if you buy when they do the £5 vouchers off.

I'm usiing Sunsense but it is a bit greasy, which I am a bit annoyed at as it is supposed to leave a matte finish . Anyway. my skin feels so much better for it and it has prevented me getting more of the areas of pigmentation on the cheekbones. I think next time I shall purchase the LRP Anthelios Gel Cream matte facial suncream. I think it comes in an SPF50. I have heard good things about the No7 stuff too, but i think it has shea butter in it, so probably better for drier skins. You are definitely not too old for sunblock. Pop on some classy shades in sun too, as it stops the squinting!

I started using daily facial sunscreen in March, just before my 47 birthday. I think my skin looks better already, although frankly I will never know what it would have been like had I not done so. I just use Soltan facial sunscreen. it looks a bit white going on and a bit greasy for a few more minutes but by the time I go out, its all 'gone'. And I've had no skin problems/ greasiness otherwise, which did worry me. So go for it.

Hi,

This may sound really silly but do you wear your sunscreen under your foundation every day? My foundation has an SPF 15 in it - is this enough or should I be wearing a higher sunscreen factor as well. I too have started noticing little brown marks on my face which I think is pigmentation - mainly upper lip and around eyes. Can you get rid of this?

No it's not silly at all.

I use it every day under foundation.

SPF 15 is very very low. Dermatologists suggest at least SPF 30 all year round.

What you have to remember is that the layer of foundation is really light- so you are probably not getting anything like spf15 protection compared to slathering spf15 on your arms or body if you were on the beach etc.

Drs say that to get adequate SPF protection we need to use a really good dollop of sun cream, so this is not really possible with foundation. I think I read that you need to use 1 teaspoon on your face and no one uses that amount of foundation, do they?

It also doesn't last all day- suncream needs to be reapplied every 2 hours so whatever you put on your face will help but it's not going to work as well after 12 hours.

You can get creams to lighten pigmentation- there are lots around - look at the Clinique website and their Even Better range for ideas.

Use MAC prep n prime spf 50..it's the bisso

Thank you lazysummerdays and RonaldMcDonald for your replies. Should I be wearing sun protection under moisturiser or do you mix the sun screen in with your moisturiser? The problem is that I have sensitive combination skin and I am scared that more oils on my skin would mean breakouts! I must look into creams for pigmentation. Has anyone tried any?

On the plus side at least you'll have adequate vitamin D levels unlike most sunscreen users! I slap some sunscreen on my face but the rest of my body is used for vitamin production purposes.

If you do start using sunblock then get yourself some vitamin d3 dissolved in oil, capsules are fine just not the dry tablet form.

Agree with all above, it's not too late, and you will notice the difference in 6 months. I use SPF50 every day, all year round. We apply such a thin layer of product, in real terms we are probably getting a lot less effect than SPF50. For days at work I use a moisturiser with SPF50 in it, and I think that's ok for days with little outdoors life. But for days in the sun I use something like LRP Anthelios 50 and reapply during the day.

There are some sunscreens with stabilisers (to prolong the sunscreen effect) and some of them will last at least half a day, Ultrasun being one, I find it too greasy-feeling for my skin.

Moisturise, sun screen, foundation.

Clinique City Block is oil free and also sold as a type of primer.

You only need 10 mins of sun on your arms each day for Vit D so no need to fry your skin or risk age spots.

I have oily skin and love Sunsense Daily Face - not found it greasy at all but don't use moisturiser as well.

Nivea SPF 50 for face was horrible though - started rolling off almost straight away so I looked like my skin was peeling. Sunsense lasts all day.