SPF for eyelids

[DarlingNikita]

So how do you protect eyelids from the sun? I haven't really thought about it before, but I'm getting old and my eyes are getting droopy.

Do you just use a sunscreen that's labelled for sensitive skin? Should you use a separate product like a cream shadow or foundation, just to physically block the sun? I don't like eye creams with SPF as I find that they all just end up as white flaky patches.

Um. Sunglasses?

It’s not just about blocking the sun’s rays, it’s about being outside when it’s bright makes you screw your eyes up, thus creating wrinkles!

OK, but a) can some sun rays penetrate those and b) how about if you don't want to/can't wear sunnies?

I use spf lip balm, if you get a beige/browny tinted one it looks like a glossy eyeshadow

Sunglasses and a hat! Do you wear glasses, that's the only reason I can think of that would mean you couldn't wear sunglasses?

There was a thread the other day about SPF getting in eyes and making them sting so I wouldn't be putting it that close to my eyes tbh.

I do wear glasses but also have prescription sunnies. But I can't wear those in the sea, for example, and sometimes if I'm say popping in and out of shops I leave them off so I can talk to people without feeling like a 'don't you know who I am?' type and then obviously my eyes are exposed.

I'd be happy to use an SPF eye cream if I could find one that didn't pill and flake. Anyone know of one...?

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of someone getting sunburned eyelids, so I’d assume that as long as you wear facial SPF, sunglasses and a hat, you don’t have anything to worry about.

I use Ultrasun Face on mine. It completely disappears after drying.

@Haworthia Lips and eyelids are one of the areas where dermatologists are seeing increasing rates of skin cancer, because people don’t think to protect those bits whilst wearing sunblock elsewhere, and stay out in the sun longer precisely because they think they are safe to.

I've been using the Sam Bunting sunscreen all over my face, including my eyelids and haven't had a problem. It dries matt so makes a good base for makeup.

Thanks Zazie. I'm not sure why an innocent thread looking for recommendations has turned into picking holes!

I've definitely had sore/itchy/tingly eyelids after too much sun.

whiter, thanks for that. I hadn't heard of the brand but I'll look into it.

No one is 'picking holes'.

As far as I (and others) were aware, sunglasses were fine, but you've explained you don't want to always wear them and you've had some recommendations.

People being sceptical about the idea of needing it in the first place.

I have 3 people close to me aged between 50-75 who have all recently been diagnosed with basal cell carcinomas on their eyelids/under eyebrow so it IS really important to wear sunscreen there!

Personally I use a factor 50 all over my face in the day, then use my fancy eye creams etc at night.

That's awful, MrsMary. I'm more determined now to make a habit of wearing it all the time. Can I ask what factor 50 product(s) you use? I've got some La Roche Posay face sunscreen but haven't tried it around my eyes yet.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of someone getting sunburned eyelids

I had a colleague who regularly used to get sunburnt eyelids - and ears - but I've never seen it on anyone other than her.

Another vote for sunglasses here. Look around you. Most people are wearing them. No one would think twice these days if you didn't take them off. They - most importantly - protect your eyes as well as the skin around them which is surely more important than someone thinking you're a bit stuck up? (which they wouldn't anyway).

I take your point about the sea though (although I wore mine in the pool on holiday recently because it was so bright I think I would have gone blind otherwise!). I suppose you could get something like this? (sorry about about epic link)

www.simplyswim.com/products/vorgee-vortech-polarized-goggle?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo-zLvIqU4wIVAbTtCh08xgl_EAQYASABEgIa7fD_BwE&variant=1623802839052&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIo-zLvIqU4wIVAbTtCh08xgl_EAQYASABEgIa7fD_BwE:G:s

If you can see well enough to swim without glasses on (I'm a -5 prescription and I couldn't go anywhere without contact lenses/glasses), how come you can't go into a shop and just put your sunglasses up on your head? (Sorry I've no idea what it's like being less short sighted than this, so maybe one would be ok but not the other, I genuinely don't know)

St, what can I say, I just feel a bit rude leaving my sunnies on, whatever others are doing or what they may or may not actually think. Thanks for the goggles link; I have been thinking on and off about prescription goggles, so that's made me consider them again.

Blair, I'm a lot more shortsighted than that and so have to swap prescription sunnies for my glasses in shops etc. When swimming I check out the area by the water first with glasses on, so when I go to swim I've got a 'feel' for layout and distances etc. I'm talking here about swimming in the sea in the sense of splashing/floating about a bit, and I only swim in quietish areas; I don't swim in pools because when they're busy I just can't see to navigate and would plough into everyone. I always manage (so far!) not to do so in the sea, although I do sometimes not see/misjudge my footing when doing things like stepping onto steps or bathing platforms.

boots no7 the shimmeryness is quite subtle btw.

My eyelids are the first to tingle when I'm in the sun and I've had burned lids before. I use Nivea SPF50 for face and wear sunglasses

Also, to those saying sunglasses will suffice, what about the gap between the top of the sunglasses and your eyebrows? Depending on the angle of the sun, your eyelids can be in direct line of the sun's rays no matter how large your sunglasses are, especially if they slip down your nose a bit.

@DarlingNikita la Roche Posay is lovely but might be a bit heavy around the eyes?
I wear Avon matte SPF50 when I'm wearing foundation, then either la Roche Posay or Altruist if I'm not, as I find them a bit more heavy and shiny.

Altruist is brilliant and cheap from Amazon but it's not always in stock!

MrsMary, yes, it might be. Do you mean you use Altruist round the eyes, or not? I have been thinking about getting some (I think there's some on Amazon at the mo).

hugoagogo, thanks for that. It looks brilliant!

what can I say, I just feel a bit rude leaving my sunnies on, whatever others are doing or what they may or may not actually think

Fair enough. Or you could pretend you're Italian. I got the impression they actually sleep in their sunnies