SPF sun damage

[Lovelyjubblypancakes]

For the last year or so I’ve been using SPF 50 every day. I’ve never had so much so damage on my face. I’m beginning to think it just doesn’t work at all. I mainly use Nivea but also one I got in an advent calendar. I don’t like using chemical sunscreen anyway and used mineral screens spf 30 before.
Has anyone else experienced this?

Nivea factor 50 isn’t as good as some others. If you look on the bottle, it has four stars for protection. Better to look at a five star one. Are you putting enough on?

It sounds like it's a dodgy one (is it past its use date?)

Caroline Hirons earlier this week in her email update recommended the Dermatica SPF 50 so I've ordered some but it hasn't arrived yet.

That’s the other one I e been using. It’s useless . Goes on well erc but doesn’t seem to provide any protection. They aren’t past their use by date .

I'd check what dermatologists recommend.

uk.my-best.com/9752

I'd go with one of the French skincare brands like LRP. I've been using Eucerin oil control for years and have damage only in places I've missed which is basically the very sides of my face close to my chin, also my upper lip.

Where can I order it?

Dermatologists recommend a teaspoon’s worth to cover face and neck. It’s much more than you’d think.

I like Heliocare 360

Nivea has a lot more denatured alcohol in it. This reacts to sunlight and it is possible that it can cause hyperpigmentation in some who are susceptible. Check for fragrance and essential oils too. They are notorious as well.

https://www.boots.com/eucerin-sun-oil-control-face-protection-spf-50-10242719?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs_HeroCompare--Toiletries_Sun-_-UK_Smart_Shopping_Toiletries_Sun&gclid=CjwKCAjw8ZKmBhArEiwAspcJ7qMdbJ9dsJ7nLKBVNrmjEVpsKHM1pLQM4vQyU7Ejzxt3wlPCgx3oeRoCwUwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Dont know if chemical or mineral

*Also places ppl forget to sunscreen are: Between eyebrows down the bridge of the nose, Under eyebrows, Top lip, top of cheekbone (orbital area) ears, under chin, all over the neck to boobs and anywhere below hairline on back of the neck.
I know you said you don’t like chemical sunscreens but I live in Aus and have a genetic melanoma in my family, so rather paranoid. My dermatologist has explained that the science behind chemical sunscreens (especially Korean ones) is much more up to date. They are less irritating, you don’t find nano particles in your blood (which you can from physical ones) and the formulas are more enjoyable to use and are capable of utilizing actives and soothing plant ingredients. I switched over many years ago and can’t imagine going back to physical sunscreens.

I have used ultra sun for years- spf 50. I get a 400ml vat of the stuff. It has a pump. Have never burnt or changed colour. I wear it 360 days a year. Even in the middle of winter, even if I am just sitting indoors all day.

I too have used UltraSun every day for years. My medication means that my skin has become very sensitive to the sun.

I buy it from QVC.

Like la Roche posay for face and ultrasun for body.

For budget boots own range is always really really good!

Moisturiser with spf is not good enough, just as an FYI.

How much do you use?

What's the difference between physical and chemical sunscreens @Fraaahnces ?
Also which brand do you use?

Agree you need 5* protection, not just SPF50
You can buy La Roche Posay in Boots - anthelios is the classic, I've got all of them - the tinted, the non greasy, the spray 😂

I bought the Biore watery essence one as people banged on about it - but I don't like the alcohol in it so I won't be buying it again.

I hope this doesn’t sound like a lecture… I have been a rabid sunscreen wearer since I was 15.
I’m 51 now and I know it’s paid off when I compare my skin to that of my friends. (Not a stealth boast, I promise. I used to work with a lot of stunning East Asian women who looked decades younger than their age and picked up a lot of skincare tips from them, but was still dubious about experimenting with their sunscreens until I had spoken to my dermatologist.) Anyhow, this is the simplest (but long) explanation about the differences in sunscreens and how they work.
Physical sunscreens contain minerals like zinc and/or titanium dioxide. They create a barrier that blocks the UV radiation. They have been considered Gold Standard In Western countries, but there is no consensus about how much it protects you from UVA. Scientists agree that it “mitigates” UVA damage. (Cheat sheet:- B Is for Burning and A is for Aging.) This is why over here some are referred to as “Broad Spectrum” as they know it helps, but can’t prove how exactly how much. (I believe in the UK they have a star system, but I don’t know enough about that.)

Chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation into the skin and convert it into heat. If you look at Korean & Japanese sunscreens, (not pushing you, but these are the ones I know about because I have been using them for donkey’s years…) Heat is also considered to be a damaging form of radiation (esp for aging and inflammation. UVA is blamed for melasma and hyperpigmentation) so they contain cooking, soothing ingredients (usually plant extracts like Cica (Centella Asiatica) and Mugwort, etc.)

There are many, many hybrid sunscreens as well. Absolutely the best of both worlds. They feel better than physical sunscreens and they offer all of the protection of both. (Chemical and hybrid sunscreens both tend to play nice with makeup .too.)

Korean Sunscreens have a different spf rating. The number equates to the same thing 30 = 30 times the usual time to burn, 50 = 50x, etc. Their ratings also include the “Plus” which refers to the UVA protection.

• PA + equals a 2–4 UVA-PF (50–75% protection against UVA rays)
• PA ++ equals a 4–8 UVA-PF (75–88% protection against UVA rays)
• PA +++ equals a 8–16 UVA-PF (88– 94% protection against UVA rays)
• PA ++++ equals a 16 or more UVA-PF (94% or higher protection against UVA rays)

(I cut and pasted that bit.)

I use chemical sunscreens every single day. If I am going to the beach (rare, due to genetic issues and hatred of hot, crowded places… oh, and sand. Blech!) I use a hybrid one. Most hybrid ones don’t leave behind a white cast like physical sunscreens, but are still have a little less of a “skincare” feel than the chemical ones due to the slightly more viscous consistency. They’re light years away from physical ones though.
Phew! Sorry that was so long! Hope that helps!

@Fraaahnces - any recommendations for specific brands please? Thanks for the detailed explanation. I go to Australia every year and stock up on Mecca To Save Face. Also like Ultra Violette spfs too. I take it you feel the Korean and Japanese ones are better than those?

My DD uses a Korean one too. She says something about that they’re not tested for U.K. use? but are fabulous. Her skin has this amazing quality to it.

Round Lab is apparently one of the top brands in Korea.

https://www.skincupid.co.uk/products/roundlab-birch-juice-moisturizing-sun-cream-spf50-pa-50ml

I'm trying it out and it seems lovely so far, very moisturising. I used an A'pieu one but it left too much of a white cast, this one doesn't.

I’m interested in the Korean brands too please. I also always have to stay out of the sun and wear UV protection at all times and used to use heliocare (creams or gel plus capsules) but have switched to Altruist and polypodium leucotomos extract this year.

Which Korean one do you use? I used to use a Korean one but it was withdrawn as tests showed it wasn’t nearly as effective as stated. Which put me off!

My issue is also that physical sunscreens contain a lot of chemicals which are linked to cancer. In addition, they block vitamin d from being absorbed from the sun and with such high levels of bit d deficiency that isn’t good .

Do you have a credible source for the cancer link? I'd disagree unless you have a reliable source.

www.cancer.org.au/iheard/are-chemical-sunscreens-safe-to-use

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