If I start using retinol, do I need added SPF or proper SPF?

[IRunLikeJoeBiden]

Would moisturiser containing an spf do, or should I be using a product specifically designed as a sun screen? I’ve never found one of the latter that isn’t greasy or white, or stingy, or wearable under make up.

proper!!!

Definitely proper SPF.

OK, and then put make up on top?

Give me your non awful proper suggestions please!

I use Ultrasun.

Currently using up La Roche Posay anti-shine XL spf 50.
I do really like the LRP ones, but one I really loved was the Freezyderm spf50 - goes on and has the feel of a primer.

PROPER. Seriously – you could badly fuck up your skin otherwise.

I also like the LRP anti shine SPF. It might not work so well against non-pale skins as it does leave a white cast (which evens the tone of my pale skin).

I’m white, but I have medium toned rosy skin, so anything white cast-ish doesn’t work for me.

Is spf 30 enough? The REN one gets a good review here.

Do people still wear spf if you're just in the house for the day? Most spf seems to give me spots so I've been avoiding it unless I am going out of the house more than popping the bins out.

maybe a stupid question - but can you use suncream for the body or does it have to be especially for the face

UV light goes through windows and hits the skin in exactly the same way as if you were outside. While using retinol, my skin would tingle if I was in natural light (including in the house) without SPF on. Your skin is no more protected indoors than outdoors (unless you close the curtains).

Retinol is powerful stuff and leaves your skin vulnerable to irreversible DNA damage from UV light. I would go for SPF 50 with the highest UVA protection.

Some other brands I’ve heard really good things about:

Ultrasun
LRP Anthelios (this doesn’t have the white cast)

Sali Hughes in the Guardian also did a column about invisible sunscreens, and she’s done previous ones about other skin types & concerns.

No. 7 also does an SPF 50 foundation, although it might not be ideal for every day wear if you tend to break out.

Nivea does a facial sunscreen that doesn’t sting or bring (me) out in spots.

I’ve previously bought from Yes Style before though, Jiggott sunscreen, as they just seem to be formulated more like face creams than sunscreen.

Oops

Downside to YESSTYLE though is the time it takes to arrive and if it doesn’t work for you then they tend to be fairly pricey. Not as pricey as the La Roche Posay ones though.

I just brought cerave tinted sun cream from amazon its great under makeup.

How can I tell if it has maximum UVA protection?

I'm another one that recommends LRP Anthelios, Freezyderm or Biore Watery Essence. I mainly use SPF50 but occasionally use SPF30 in the winter if I'm not leaving the house. In the summer I also use an SPF50 that can be sprayed over makeup to top up during the day.

Nadine Baggott has some videos on Youtube recommending her favourite SPFs.

@il0vew1ne using a body SPF on your face will give you protection but the formulation is generally heavier so more likely to block pores and won't sit well under makeup.

Thank you

Heliocare tinted mineral sunscreen is fab, spf 50 and lightly tinted so no white cast. No oiliness either. I like LRP anthelios but I find it greasier than the Heliocare

I use retinol and was told when I bought it to only ever use it as part of an evening routine so there's no risk of sun exposure when it's freshly on.

Bare Minerals Prep Step is a SPF50 primer, but it's quite runny and thin so it's hard to be sure you're applying enough. The most common advised amount is 1.25 ml for face and same again if you're applying to your neck too. Bare Minerals is expensive to use that amount of daily, and that's not even considering reapplying if out in the sun.

I measured La Roche Posay (non tinted sensitive eyes one) into a children's medicine spoon and it's more than you'd think, and quite hard to rub in. But that particular one is pretty thick and would double as a moisturiser.

Recently bought The Inkey List SPF 30. It's tinted but disappears on my skin (I'm white, quite fair but leaning towards tan/yellow/olive tone rather than pink toned). Not suitable around the eyes though - there's a big warning on it.

If you use SPF 50 you have a better chance of getting pretty decent protection even if you don't apply the correct amount, you might still end up with SPF 20/25ish, whereas with SPF 30 you might down to SPF 10/15, which isn't much at all.

Heliocare is a popular brand I've seen mentioned in skincare groups/boards.

SPF is hard to get right. I've seen people mentioning that their method is to layer their SPF, so some in moisturiser, light layer of sunscreen, more in their primer, foundation and powder. But I've also seen people saying that different sunscreens might not work well together/actually cause chemical instability of some sort. No idea if that's true.

Australian Gold (oddly enough it's not actually Australian) gets mentioned too, and an Asian sunscreens are also popular.

If retinol irritates your skin you might be happier with a mineral sunscreen.

@TattiePants

What is the spray on one? Sounds handy!!

Cetaphil day cream SPF50 - I took this when I was taking roaccutane (a systemic retinoid) and didn't burn. It was recommended by my dermatologist and I still use it now. It's also non-comedogenic (non spot forming).

@SweetCruciferous it's Bioderma Photoderm MAX Sun Mist SPF50. You just spray it on and don't need to rub in.

@DuzzyFuck, I imagine most people use retinol as part of their night time routine but it makes your skin much more sensitive to sun damage so you should still use a daily SPF all year round.

Thanks @TattiePants!