Facial sunscreen

[WobblyLondoner]

Have been an avid user of Clinique Cityblock factor 40 for a number of years now, especially after a small skin cancer procedure on my face a few years ago.

I read an article about how most people were confused about skin protection at the weekend - this:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jun/01/britons-risking-skin-damage-and-cancer-due-to-suncare-ignorance?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other

One of the article's key messages is about the confusion surrounding SPF rates which relate to UVB rays and the separate star rating which relates to UVA.

Given this I thought I'd check what the UVA protection for Cityblock is and couldn't find any information at all about it. So I emailed Clinique and they have just replied to say the UVA protection is 8! Which really means it isn't what I want.

Does anyone have any tips on sunblocks or sunscreens which don't bobble under foundation and ideally are at least SPF 40 plus? I have tried LRP Anthelios SPF 50 and it was ok but a little too white for me. I can see there is a tinted one now so interested in any experiences of that.

I'm especially upset about this now as a few days ago I learned I have another small skin cancer (BCC) on my face. I feel really stupid for not realising this given my history. And I worry I'm going to spend the rest of my life fretting about every odd spot. Take care of yourself friends, it isn't worth the risk.

Sorry to moan. Sunscreen recommendations welcome.

I'm using Avène tinted which is very nice on the face (unlike many others). It has the UVA circled but not sure what that means!

As others have said, Korean/Japanese sunscreens often seem to have both UVA/UVB covered - here are some popular ones:
⁃ Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++
⁃ Nivea Sun Protect Water Gel spf 50 PA+++ (140ml good value).
⁃ Etude House Mild Airy (or Mild Watery for dry skin) Finish SunPrise spf 50 PA+++
⁃ Missha All Around Safe Block Soft Finish Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++ (70ml)
⁃ COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 PA+++
⁃ Canmake Tokyo Mermaid Skin Gel SPF50 P++++

And thanks to OP for making me aware of importance of UVA and how low it is in products (and sorry for the shock you had- must be very upsetting/ annoying)

I, too, use Biore Watery Essence. I first heard about it on MN and it's fantastic : no white marks, good under make up, good protection and doesn't cost the earth

BlueKittens A lot of discussion about this on a couple of skincare groups. This explains it pretty well http://www.bad.org.uk/for-the-public/skin-cancer/sunscreen-fact-sheet#uva-and-uvb

UVA = penetrated window glass ----> skin ageing, skin cancer
UVB = sunburn

However, as someone with stupidly reactive skin, I must say that I don't put it on every day, definitely not if I'm staying at home, as my skin would rebel, I think, with double cleansing every night which is generally regarded as necessary to get sunscreen etc off effectively.

Where do you all get your Watery Essence now? I get worried I might end up with a fake online.

The way I remember it is uva (a for ageing) and uvb (b for burning)

You need both apparently but also unsure about how clever it is to wear it all the time.

I use biore watery essence and it's great.

I bought the superdrug one today SPF 30 and UVA 5 stars so seems to tick all the boxes
£3.49!

I use this one which is lovely and checked it has the circle on it so fingers crossed it’s ok -
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00Z72U6JQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ref=plSrch&keywords=isdin+water+fusion&dpPl=1&dpID=51cmn8ZHx3L&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1528225209&sr=8-1

Thanks very much everyone. I'm going to give Biore a go, and get some LRP as back up.

One question - I've always put sunscreen on after moisturiser and before make up. Reading some comments on the Biore amazon page it seems some people put sunscreen on first, before moisturiser? Any thoughts?

I use sunscreen instead of moisturiser although that’s probably no help! I find I don’t need moisturiser if I’m wearing sunscreen.

I use the biore one by the way

Ultra sun. But also zinc is healthier then the chemical ones

I use Frezyderm factor 50. Great under makeup and I have tried it on a v hot day, high UV index and I'm pale and red hair. Did a 2.5hr ride on my horse with it on and didn't have one red bit

So, I emailed Vichy to try and establish the correct UVA rating for their facial suncream. From feel unique the rating is apparently only 1star.
*
This is their reply!
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Unfortunately we can can provide you with information as this information is proprietary.*
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I've sent a scathing reply and definitely won't be buying their stuff again.

I use biore watery essence. It's very effective. I forgot to wear some when itnwas overcast last week and my cheeks got burnt.
I only use sunscreen during the day under makeup. The rest of my skin care I do at night since I'd be an oily mess otherwise.

Vichy said that?!

Another vote for frezyderm! It will surprise you when you first see it, it's like a yellow silicone and when you apply it it's completely invisible!! Acts as a moisturiser (unless skin dry then moisturise as normal first), a primer due to the texture and of course spf. It's unlike any I've tried and I've tried them all. I'm also very fair with red hair.

@diodati yes! I honestly can't believe it!
I emailed to double check as I assumed it would be higher than the 1star quoted in a different website. They initially just copied and pasted the details on the website, after another email asking for the actual rating they sent the proprietary comment.
Absolute nonsense! No reply to my follow up email.

Where do you get Biore Watery Essence and is it chemical or zinc?

I’m not sure UVA of 8 makes any sense. Isn’t UVA measured in stars up to 5?

Thank you for posting this WobblyLondonder I've been a user of Cityblock for 20 (count 'em!) years and always assumed I was well-protected because of it. I've gone out and bought the Avene Mineral Spf50+ today because of this thread. I've started using TO retinol at night in the last six months and can't chance it. Also the hyper-pigmentation is getting worse so hopefully this will help.
Thanks again and hope you are feeling better soon.

Cherry You can get Biore on EBay ((from Japan), I think also from Amazon but worth comparing prices. Usually takes about 2 was from Japan.