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.

What, in winter, and largely indoors? I don't think so.

@il0vew1ne

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

you can, but it might sting your eyes

in winter, largely indoors I only apply factor 30 daily moisturiser.
out for a run during daylight solait facial spf 50.

Yes in winter. UVA rays are present all year round at the same strength. These are the ageing rays. UVB are the burning rays.

UVA can also penetrate glass. I reapply SPF 50 a few times a day.

And we suffer from vitamin D deficiency in winter in the UK.

I've tried quite a few and the best I've found (for me) is Ultruist spf 50. I'm pale with quite oily skin - this sunscreen leaves a bit of white at first but fades in about a minute and is great under makeup. LRP balled my makeup so I had to stop using it. It's cheap too - £8 for 2 tubes on Amazon so not a big investment if it doesn't suit you.

Sorry - Altruist.

Yes you don’t make vitamin D in winter though so SPF irrelevant. Take a supplement:

I expose legs and arms in spring summer.

I use Altruist too. Love their ethos of giving money back to skin cancer charities.

I use Frezyderm. It's amazing. I have very fair and sensitive skin. Doesn't react at all, it's Matt, super light. You can't tell you have it on. And the ingredients are very good toxicity wise.

Yes absolutely a separate SPF, always.

Heliocare gel oil free is good. Also Alumier do some wonderful ones.

There's a brand called Skindora and I liked the SPF 50 from there

You’re all marvellously helpful! I’m 49 and have pretty good skin for my age but my neck is crepey and I have age spots. Will retinol help with either of those?

Vitamin C is good for pigmentation. Necks can be funny with retinol, it can be a bit drying and more irritating on the neck. But I found an improvement with the Indeed Labs retinol. Haven't tried any others. The best thing for my neck is keeping it well moisturised. I've seen people praising Prai throat cream. I use CeraVe moisturising lotion and sometimes the pm face cream.

Interesting. So retinol the face but slather the neck with lard. Noted. I have some Prai, I just need to be more diligent about using it.

I put retinol on my neck, no lines at 43. I wear superdrug solait spf 50 all year round.

It’s not tested on animals.

You can use retinol on your neck, just be aware that it might be more sensitive than your face or become dry which makes it more crepey looking. Slather on the moisturiser in either case!

Mine does look better since using the CeraVe and that's not even expensive. Rosehip oil helped initially - about 6 years ago - but no longer. I also tried NIOD NEC but didn't see any great difference. The Indeed Labs Retinol Resurface did seem to improve things. That's not a very strong retinol anyway.

I can slap the retinol onto my neck/bust with no worries so it really depends on your skin. I think it has definitely helped with the morning crepe-iness round the cleavage. But I have worked up to that over the course of 3 months so do it carefully. But not a given that your next/cleavage won't tolerate it. I get much more dryness on my forehead than my neck.

I use Purito Centella Green unscented suncream. Asian one which is more like a moisturiser than an SPF (cosmetically) but still SPF50 and easy to put plenty on without feeling it is sit-in god top of your skin or other skincare. It's ace. The Biore ones are okay but a bit alcoholy. My DH likes them

You can definitely use retinol on the neck, however it's just more sensitive, so use a low %
Alumier Neck and Decollete cream is brilliant.

Keep it Moisturised too as a lack of hydration will cause wrinkles