Which every day facial SPF do you use when using retinols?

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I want to start using a retinol but am aware that if I do, I need to use an SPF in the morning. I use a moisturiser which has SPF 15 but wonder if this is sufficient

If you use a factor 50 every day, which one do you use? I don’t want something which feels heavy or greasy.

You must use a good SPF every day, minimum spf30. One with no fragrance or essential oils!!!

I recommend Ultrasun. You don't have to reapply it as often as other brands. They do a lovely spf30 for the face which is £19, and a great 50spf fluid which is more expensive, but they are both really lightweight. I tend towards oily and sporty skin, neither breaks me out at all.

I also carry around Colorscience Mineral Shield powder to top up the SPF when I'm out and about and can't reapply a lotion.

You can watch Dr Dray on YouTube she does amazing SPF videos!!!

Bakerboys, where do you get the mineral spf powder please?

Anthelios by La Roche Posay is great.

I use watery gel by Biore and it’s great stuff.

We use CJ Skinhealth's Enhance & Protect because it's got Retinol and SPF30 UVA broad spectrum in one product, which is really handy. Plus it's got Hyaluronic acid, vit C, vit E and lots of other ingredients. It's light and not greasey. Really simplified life and helped our skin.

cjskinhealth.com/products/enhance-protect

I’m certain there is a skincare scandal brewing with spf advertised in makeup products, and people believing they are protected by a thin layer of their CC creams and no other sunscreen

It's better than no sunscreen at all though. Liz Earle has always resisted selling moisturiser with SPF saying that it has worn off by lunchtime. But my argument has always been nobody goes to the loo at lunchtime, takes all their make-up off, reapplies their sunscreen and then their make-up. It just doesn't happen. So they're not protected by the time they leave the office anyway but at least they are protected on the way in.

I wear proper sunscreen when I am on holiday and in the sun a lot or when I go for a run in the summer, but SPF moisturiser generally.

mommybunny - there is a pharmacy in Wigmore Street, I can't remember which one! It's on a corner, but not massive big one..... You can try it out there, they have the entire Colorscience range. Or go to the Colorscience UK website, they can post it to you 👍🏻

Hi, I would check out Clinique's city block comes in different factors. Its tinted so I use it instead of foundation and it brilliant for holidays. It's not greasy but you can see its protection.

Ultra sun spf 50. I buy 400ml bottles that come with a pump. I use it every single day- never ever go out without it on. Even when it’s pouring with rain mid winter and I am driving from home to work and basically indoors all day.

Would also like to add that although I use retin A and acids I have been using sunscreen religiously for nearly 20 years as well as wearing hats in the summer and covering up on very hot days.
At 52 my skin is in very good condition with very few lines.

Thanks everyone, I’ll look into those suggested

Biore aqua 50+ for me too.

I'm not convinced factor 15 is enough!!

Those using retinol.
Do you use it every night? For ever or for a set period and then have a break?

Kiehl 50 is lovely btw

I third Altruist spf 50. I don’t wear foundation so I do reapply half way through the day.

UVA rays are the same strength all year round, wherever in the world you are. These are the ageing ones. I use Retin-A so have to be super careful.

Good overview of retinols

@ginyogarepeat

You need spf 50 every day regardless of where you live, UVA rays will always find you.

I don't use one at the minute - go to work in the dark, come home in the dark and am in an office which is internal so no outside windows
When I see daylight I use frezyderm or Biore

Sunscreen is a fine idea but UVA rays are not the same strength all year round wherever you are.

I have used Retin a for years and wouldn't step out of the house without decent sunscreen. I use Ultrasun tinted moisturiser which has spf 50. QVC often has good deals on ultrasun and other sunscreens.

I have very very dry skin but at nearly 50 I feel like I need the help from retinols.
Stress and illness and medication have aged me massively.
Are there any spf50s which are rich moisturisers without being thick and white and sitting on skin?

I fourth Altruist spf50 spray - I've used prescription retinols for several years as my epilepsy meds cause cystic acne and they zap it, but make my skin super-sensitive.

Altruist is fab, easy to use , dries fast, does not dry my skin unlike gels and the spray is non-comedogenic and any makeup does not go sliding off my face unlike creams.

Oh and the spray is bag size so I can take it out with me

I've been using the Aldi kids suncream, it's factor 50 and 5 star UVA. It's cheap but it seems fine to me, no white cast etc. Not a bad consistency. It's fragrance free so smells a bit chemically but this doesn't bother me.

I wear it religiously everyday without fail as I use Tret.

frezyderm 50+ or la roche posay gel cream

I’m using the Aldi baby spf 50. Bit greasy but I let it sit 20 mins then blot and powder.

I have the blue light switched off on my iPad and iPhone too.