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Terrible mistake! SPF50

148 replies

alorslanon · 09/03/2022 17:08

Hello all, please can you help me! I’m 44, and my skin just looks SO awful. It’s quite dry but also greasy, and I’m just looking quite old all of a sudden. I’m currently fixated on the idea that I should be wearing SPF50 every day, so I’ve been applying regular suncream every day, and I’ve made it SO MUCH WORSE. Now i’m wearing moisturiser, sun cream AND primer, and my chin has broken out in spots and my whole face is peeling off. Something’s not right!

Anyway, any general advice would be much appreciated. But also, what SPF do people with (tired, dry but also somehow greasy) skin like mine recommended? I’m not made of money, but I am happy to invest if it will make a difference. Thank you so much.

OP posts:
Psychonabike · 09/03/2022 19:51

You need to think carefully about facial sunscreen. Many are very comedogenic (blocking pores, cause acne and blackheads).

It's helpful if you can find one that suits your skin type and solves other aging issues.

La Roche Posay do some good ones (the effaclar one is good for acne prone skin).

Skinceuticals do some good ones. This one is non comedogenic and brightens dark spots:

www.skinceuticals.co.uk/en_GB/advanced-brightening-uv-defense-spf-50/3337875702478.html

RestingMurderousFace · 09/03/2022 19:53

@Martinisarebetterdirty

Frezyderm velvet touch is lovely and you won’t need a primer.
That is a nice one actually, feels siliconey and smooth.
Whattochoosenow · 09/03/2022 19:55

Please, please whatever sunscreen you choose, find one that is oxybenzone free. This chemical is a massive contributor to coral reef bleaching.

KillingMeDeftly · 09/03/2022 19:58

[quote bunnypenny]I use Ambre Solaire anti-aging face protection SPF50. Works well and is only £7.

www.boots.com/ambre-solaire-super-uv-anti-10291969[/quote]
I second this one. It's also a dupe for the more expensive LRP one with hyaluronic acid that's mentioned upthread as both LRP and Garnier are owned by Loreal.

SpamIAm · 09/03/2022 20:01

I use a Nivea one, shine control or something like that? I find it's matte once dry and doesn't sting my eyes. I don't wear make though so don't know how well it sits under that.

elbea · 09/03/2022 20:01

What is the point in putting sunscreen on under make up, it needs reapplying every two hours. Are you redoing your makeup every two hours?

shinynewapple22 · 09/03/2022 20:03

Where do you live? I don't see that you would need factor 50 in the UK at the moment ! You are more likely to get spots as the extra cream is blocking your pores or making it greasy .

Marbles321 · 09/03/2022 20:11

OP i think you need to broaden this slightly, as I doubt its just about suncream. It sounds like your skin needs a bit of tlc and you've panicked and put loads of thick spf on it - if you don't deal with the skin texture underneath then all that's going to do is sit on top of your skin and make it greasier/drier whatever.

I say this as someone who only in the last couple of years actually started looking after my skin properly. I'm a bit younger (38), but the difference is amazing. Spf is only one step in that process.

It doesn't have to cost a fortune.

I recommend - two cleansers. One light wash for morning (Cerave moisturising face wash is lovely) and then a proper oil cleanser for evening to remove dirt, make up and spf. I use the apricot one from beauty pie but there are lots of options out there. Use a warm flannel/face cloth with the oil cleanser to really remove everything.

Then you need to think about active products to start improving your skin texture. Like a PP I use Dermatica (i use the super strength 0.1 % tretinoin and its amazing but not for the faint hearted, you need to work your way up!)
Maybe to start buy a glycolic acid like pixie glow (inexpensive) and use this every other morning to start resurfacing your skin. See how you get on then maybe look at switching it up with a very light retinol, which also improves skin texture.

Put a basic moisturiser on top - cerave moisturising cream is amazing for my combination skin, and is quite matte. Wont make you shiny. You can use morning and night and is very gentle and cost effective.

Skip the primer. Either use one of the spf recommendations here, or look for a tinted moisturiser with high spf if you want a bit of coverage. I love Origins Ginzing which is spf 40.

Start slow, go back to basics, learn about actives (acids, retinol, vitamin c) and gradually introduce one or two into your regime.

The actives do the work - the moisturiser and spf just sit on top.

Also a good oil cleanser is a god send!

Wrongkindofovercoat · 09/03/2022 20:16

Where do you live OP ? I am presuming not in the UK ?

Do you work outdoors ? Spend the vast majority of time outside and are unable to avoid direct sunlight ?

I only ask because I wonder why you believe you need to be wearing SPF50 in March in the UK ? SPF30 would be more than adequate for the vast majority of people, unless you are intending to peg yourself out in the garden from 11-3 from March until October ?

TheReddestJohansson · 09/03/2022 20:17

Dermalogica’s SPF boost is good. In the UK at this time of year spf 30 is plenty. I recently discovered Drunk Elephant tinted spf 30 and it’s great - zero spots.

Definitely don’t use normal holiday/body sunscreen on your face everyday. Way too heavy. X

Birdy474 · 09/03/2022 20:18

Never heard of wearing moisturiser and sunblock. That's why you're breaking out.

Motnight · 09/03/2022 20:20

I am currently using a Dermalogica one that is great, is factor 50, and a face moisturiser as well. But it costs a lot.

Just sent off for a Nivea factor 50 moisturiser which has hood reviews, it was £10 in Boots on special offer.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 09/03/2022 20:20

I love the Garnier SPF 50 for face. It's a lovely light fluid which I use every day instead of moisturiser with just eye cream and a Vit C serum underneath ((I use acids at night).

My skin feels pretty happy with that.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 09/03/2022 20:21

Oh and it's about £8 so cheap as chips

Watapalava · 09/03/2022 20:23

I just use Aldi face cream which is factor 20 and my foundation L’Oréal is also factor 20. Unless constantly reapplying you’re only really playing lip service

Angrymum22 · 09/03/2022 20:25

I use micelles water to remove makeup but never use anything other than water to clean it. Stripping the natural oils just stimulates the skin into producing more. A bit like washing your hair daily makes it greasy. I’m sensitive to sls products too,
It sounds like you have an allergy to something you are using and have a mild dermatitis.
Use an emollient cream ( E45) to gently cleanse, rinsing it off with water. Then do a patch test on your forearm with all the products to see if any of them cause problems.
When looking for a replacement patch test it before you buy it.

missmoon · 09/03/2022 20:26

My skin is also very sensitive to sun screen, but I found this one by Kiehl’s which is good. It’s very light and non-greasy, and I haven’t had any problems since: www.kiehls.co.uk/skin-care/category/sun-care/ultra-light-daily-uv-defense-spf-50-pa----/WW0053KIE.html

I use it on top of moisturiser, and under foundation (on days when I’m in the office).

Qwill · 09/03/2022 20:26

Kiehls is brilliant and non greasy.

asparalite · 09/03/2022 20:27

Have a look at Ultra Violette it's Australian and completely different to other sunscreen products, very light and easy to use.

ultraviolette.co.uk/pages/about

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 09/03/2022 20:27

I guess for a typical day of being in the car to work, maybe outdoors for a walk at lunch the SPF isn't being broken down as it would with a day in the sun. If I was going to be in the sun for anything longer I'd reapply even over make up (AS is light enough to do this).

I go very pink very quickly if my skin isn't protected and have had no issues with this so I think it's probably fine.

TammyOne · 09/03/2022 20:29

Honestly, I would stop putting anything on your skin. Drink more water, get more sleep, eat more fruit and veg, laugh more.
You don’t need factor 50 in the uk you just need to re hydrate and let your skin calm down.

IDidntFloatUpTheLaganInABubble · 09/03/2022 20:32

I am a bit older than you and my skin just looked tired. I joined beauty pie and follow their ABC SPF routine, you can Google it. It has transformed my skin.

CheeseMuffin · 09/03/2022 20:33

@TammyOne

Honestly, I would stop putting anything on your skin. Drink more water, get more sleep, eat more fruit and veg, laugh more. You don’t need factor 50 in the uk you just need to re hydrate and let your skin calm down.
Just because the U.K. doesn't always get sunshine doesn't mean you don't need sunscreen. UV rays can penetrate clouds.
stevalnamechanger · 09/03/2022 20:33

Ultra violette or LRP

That's way too much .

I use hydrating serum and spf , no primer

I don't reapply outside of summer 🤣 barely see daylight other than morning commute

stevalnamechanger · 09/03/2022 20:34

@MorrisZapp

You'll get loads of recommendations but they're all awful on my skin. Science isn't there yet, no matter what Sali Hughes etc say.

I don't believe they actually wear sunscreen.

I buy a new 'doesn't feel like sunscreen' every summer and I manage a couple of hours before washing it off my face.

Lots of people love eg anthelios but it all feels like emulsion paint on me.

Try ultraviolette ! I love that