What is the balanced moderate approach with sunscreen?

[faretheewell]

I wear sunscreen. I'm fair skinned will burn, get rashes in the sun. I cover up and wear hats plus sunglasses in UV higher than 2.

But I am concerned. The sheer amount of sunscreen the skincare industry advises. Which they profit from. The health concerns over chemical and physical sunscreen ingredients being absorbed by the body and breaking down which actually increases sun damage. The inhibiting of the main source of Vit D and the difficulty of supplementation. The environmental damage and damage to ocean life forms can't mean anything good.

Flip side off course is skin cancers.

There must be a more balanced approach. Any guesses?

find the “all day” ones literally too hit and miss, as in if you miss a bit, that part WILL get pink because you don’t have a second pass at it with a top-up.

Oh I've been ok so far, so have my family. It helps that you can tell where you've put the Ultrasun before it dries and sets. The lotion had a white cast until set and the oil/ spray is a bit oily until set. I take a chubby solid Boots Soltan sunblock stick in my bag or pocket for any missed bits - they tend to start feeling hot with me.

I find the sprays easiest for topping up when you’re out and about, and lotions for beach/pool. Nivea is usually a good bet, and I think it is worth forking out for one designed for facial skin as well- the normal ones tend to give me spots.

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind.🙂👍

I'm very fair, burn very easily - but also (now) have very sensitive skin and can't cope easily with the feeling of suncream on my skin (I'm autistic - I also can't stand the feeling of nail varnish on my nails - it feels like underneath it is suffocating).

Thankfully I am also really shit at managing with the heat so I cope by hogging the shade, covering up and generally spending most of summer in front of a fan - suncream when I know I'm going to be out in the sun and can't guarantee shade. The kids I tend to let go suncreamless early in the morning and then become a suncream and covering up dragon after about 10am - they're pretty good at putting it on... needs a bit of finesse on the quantity since they end up looking like they're ghosts for a while after, but still.

I just don't go out in the bloody sun, so I don't use it. I cannot bear it. The odd, unavoidable time then I will apply sun cream. I'm just so much happier not slathering that shit all over myself.

I am extremely fair and burn easily, including in the UK. I don't know much about the wider issues raised here, but over the years these things have worked for me in terms of personal sun protection:

• Avoiding peak sun (I know this is at odds with what you are asking but is still the best advice!)
• Long, loose clothing - including for swimming outdoors (I love snorkelling for example, but would never do it without a white t-shirt to wear in the water to protect my back)
• Hat and sunglasses
• Factor 50 on exposed skin - this is the most obvious thing you are missing if you only use 30, it will protect you for longer unless washed off
• Daily facial sunscreen

I do get enough sun for vitamin D intake, but that's easily done in about 15 minutes of average sunlight in the UK. I also supplement with an oral spray. I also heard the fun fact that natural redheads (like me) actually don't need as much vitamin D as other people - we are adapted for sun-less climates!

Thanks @NeedASolution. I do similar to you. I've not actually burnt in years and that was when I missed a bit with a sun block stick ( you could tell as it was a strategic area of red). So anyway, factor 30 is actually enough for me. I think when I have had problems with heat rash it was probably to do with the breakdown of some chemical sunscreens - known to cause sun sensitivity. The swimming solution makes sense, that or a rash vest/suit if I was keen on swimming outdoors. I do wear a hat and sunglasses. However, unlike you I stop wearing any sun screen when the UV is consistently 2 or lower. But then your skin might be a tad fairer than my own,

And yes, I avoid peak sun. I usually push for lunch somewhere indoors if we are out!😉 I think I just felt a tad envious of people being more active outside on the beach than me.