A last a more considered approach to sunscreen use!

[brightbrightsun]

Every year I have a meltdown over sunscreen. Ingredients, consistency, application all being considerations.

Some ingredients break down (both chemical and mineral) within a couple of hours and actually cause more skin damage. Some cause hormonal disruption, some environmental damage. Some sunscreens are sticky, messy, sweat off easily, get over everything.

The most readily available forms of Vitamin D comes from sunlight. Deficiencies have been linked to circulatory diseases and cancer.

The sunscreen industry is massive and increasing.

But skin cancer!

My Eureka moment! A calculator I have found that calculates burn time for different skin types at different UV levels with no sunscreen/ sunscreen factor level. This coupled with the hourly UV forecast has allowed me to see how risky it is to forgo sunscreen depending on the time of day I am going out and how long for.🙂

www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcpvj0v07#?date=2023-04-19

www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=time+to+sunburn&assumption=%7B%22FS%22%7D+-%3E+%7B%7B%22TimeToSunburn%22%2C+%22tb%22%7D%7D&assumption=%7B%22FP%22%2C+%22TimeToSunburn%22%2C+%22SST%22%7D+-%3E+%22ST1%22&assumption=%7B%22F%22%2C+%22TimeToSunburn%22%2C+%22UVI%22%7D+-%3E%223%22

Hope this helps people. I'd be interested to know what others think.

There's a useful app called uv index which works all that out for you. It's handy

I think I'll listen to dermatologists and skin cancer specialists.
But if you have a link from either of the above proving your claims that sunscreen ingredients cause more damage, then bring it on.

Thanks @shunderland. Does it tell you your burn times throughout the day depending on your skin type?

This explains clearly how vitamin D deficiency is not caused by sunscreen. And how sunscreen can reduce your risk of skin cancer by 50%.

https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sun-protection-and-vitamin-d/

Yes, and has a widget that pops up to remind you to reapply sunscreen etc. it's really comprehensive and useful - take a look apps.apple.com/gb/app/uv-index-widget-worldwide/id1100568288

I'm not associated with them btw! Just used it for years

Not my personal claims @NowZeusHasLainWithLeda. There is a lot of research out there.

I'm actually pretty moderate in my approach. Up until now I would only forgo sunscreen if the UV level was 2 or less. Which is as per pretty much all official advice. To get round the issue of sunscreen
ingredients breaking down I follow exact application and reapplication directions. I really do my research in terms of which sunscreens are reef safe, good for sensitive skin, sweat proof etc.

However, this extra information allows me to go out for a short time early in the morning or late in the afternoon (when UV levels are approaching 3 or going down from 3) without the need for sunscreen during the summer. Plus I can see more accurately when I should start and stop wearing sunscreen seasonly.🙂

I just played around with that and it is very interesting. It confirmed my need for sun cream in pretty much all conditions.

@NowZeusHasLainWithLeda

This is an interesting article.

www.outsideonline.com/health/wellness/sunscreen-sun-exposure-skin-cancer-science/

But we could swap articles and research papers all day. I do appreciate there is lots of conflicting information out there.

As I said I only advocating a more moderated considered approach.

Thanks @shunderland. I can see that would be useful for lots of people.

I have tended to use Ultrasun as it is long lasting sun (less likely to break down causing more damage and has won environmental awards which is good) so reapplication is not as much of an issue for me. I just like the freedom to calculate better when/whether I need the sunscreen depending on the UV levels, my skin and how long I'll be out for.

@Ponderingwindow, was it the app or the calculator I linked to that you had a play around with?

https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors/exposure-to-chemicals-in-sunscreen

https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/

https://www.livescience.com/7117-sunscreen-damage-skin-applied-infrequently.html

Some more reading matter for you @NowZeusHasLainWithLeda.

I just think that a lot of the more disproportionate advice, such as applying sunscreen even indoors and all year round in the UK actually is coming from industry capitalising upon health and ageing concerns. This is coupled with the increasing use of cosmetic procedures and skincare ingredients which increases sun sensitivity affecting advice for the general public.

Industry is actually creating a greater need and then capitalising on it...

I feel a bit like this is a Dragon's Den pitch.

I'll use sun screen thanks, I'm out!

And of course the products typically require using frequently, in copious amounts and have a limited life upon opening. Although there is no expiry date printed on them so retailers can have them sitting on their shelves (for years in theory) until they sell them. 🤷‍♀️

@historygeek eh? Where's the money in it? What I am talking about is just free information that is readily available on the internet.

And I'm not saying don't use sunscreen. Just make an informed choice about when to use it!!!

Is this a collective form of reactance or what?

Or maybe people are just too invested in the skincare industry on this particular board...

I don’t like sunscreen. I don't like the faff of application, the sticky feeling etc. I also burn very easily and have a lot of moles so in bright sun my skin damages very quickly.

so I cover up and stick to the shade. But I am seen as very strange as most people in this country like to strip of and tans are seen as “healthy”

if you’re worried about your skin, keep it covered. You only really need to use sunscreen if you want to expose your bare skin. So instead of googling “research” into sun cream, Don’t use it and cover up. Your choice 🤷‍♀️

SPF ulcerates my skin . I’ve tried so many. Now I just have to ho without or avoid the sun totally

@Lastnamedidntstick, what about my face and arms? It still gets hot here and I don't cover my face, neck or arms and they can burn and I have been caught out in the past. I do like to go outside. I run typically 10k everyday and like walking.

@Mustnot, I hope the info I posted in the op is useful to you. It will let you go out at the safest times of day, work out how long you can reasonably stay in the sun for.

Not that I necessarily disagree with you on all points OP, but all sunscreens will have a batch code on that will indicate expiry date. It might not be dd/mm/yy that you or I can decipher but the retailer will have details of exactly when the product is no longer sellable.

@CatNamedEaster, I did know that as I spotted changes in formulations. Companies update them as the research moves forward and they find better sun filters. It's mind boggling though for the consumer.

Thankyou I’m going to have a look

I think over the last 4/5 years I’ve spent hundreds trying to find an spf that will work but something in them doesn’t agree with me. I have such sensitive skin