Seriously, am I meant to be wearing suntan lotion every day?

[AutumnalEquinox]

It seems that I am doing something really wrong here, because I am not wearing SPF every day. I've tried to find one that is light, and in the past I have had face creams and foundations with SPF 15 in them, but I just can't seem to tolerate getting up in the morning and slapping on sun tan lotion under my makeup before I go out in the winter. It would break me out in greasy spots.

Am I doomed? I am wearing toner, serum, and moisturiser, but not putting a layer of SPF on. I know it is about UV rays I can't see, but I don't have many wrinkles or sun damage as I've had my skin analysed tested.

Paula's choice have a nice light factor 50 that is non comedogenic and seems to work for my skin.

Unless you work as a gardener or dog walker or tree surgeon and spend ages outside specially at lunch time, why would you be obsessive about suncream? I'm personally more worried about vit D! Can't believe people are using spf 50 on top of face cream with spf15 or 20 and even reapplying.... Completely different in the summer and if you're spending lots of time outdoors obviously!

@MissedABoo this youtube short describes the difference -

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rrtsUAgPucM

Any benefits from other skincare products will likely be negated by your lack of SPF. It is to me the most basic thing, like washing your face and moisturising. If you think none work for you, you just haven't found the right one. Wearing 50SPF daily prevents age spots, skin cancer, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Do some research.

Most people don't use enough quantity wise of their moisturiser with SPF in it to get the benefit of its stated SPF protection. So if it says SPF 15, you're likely only getting SPF 5 just due to the amount. The research on wearing SPF is sound and plentiful.

My DH does. Ignore this ignorant comment. If you only do one thing skincare wise, wear SPF. There are nice ones specifically for face, like the Rosay Posay one or there’s an Ambre Solaire similarly: they’re not greasy at all.

I wear this everyday, it doesn’t cause breakouts and I’m prone to them https://www.lookfantastic.com/garnier-ambre-solaire-ultra-light-sensitive-sun-protection-face-fluid-spf50-40ml/12564736.html

It's not just spending a lot of time outdoors for some people. I'm very very fair, and in the spring and autumn in the UK I can still burn if I'm outside for more than about 20mins on a clear day.

I don't bother with the factor 50 in the depths of winter but always in summer and will make sure I have some sort of SPF the rest of the year. Never less than 20, but prefer 25 and above.

Also, skin cancer appears to be prevalent in my family, with grandparents and parents affected by it.

I don't think I'm obsessive, just sensible.

If you want to start wearing SPF daily you need to put in the legwork to find one that suits. Yes it can be a pain in the arse, but I'm guessing you don't just pick up whatever random bottle's cheapest whenever you need a new foundation either, but had to find a formula and shade you like?
Sounds like you already know the pros/cons of SPF, so not sure what a bunch of internet strangers telling you what they always/never do really will do.

I rarely use a specific suncream- when in the sun I wear a hat but normally wear Clinique even better foundation which has spf25 I think. Also use a dead cheap aldi day moisturiser which has spf15.

I use a moisturiser with SPF 15 in the summer or if I’m going to be out all day walking/working in the garden and it’s sunny in the spring and autumn. Proper facial sunscreen if I’m on the beach or sunbathing. Otherwise not. It’s such a recent thing and vastly overblown. Factor 50 every day if you’re working indoors in the winter? Madness.

The factor 50 face sunscreen from Gruum is highly recommended and not expensive. It's made by Ultruist which was developed by dermatologists

The gruum one is the one I use. Really good and doesn't really smell of anything.

Gruum is the same sunscreen as Altruist but more expensive. Buy the original.

I first read about the benefits of wearing facial sunscreen over 40 years ago, so it's not that 'new'.

Your choice of course but skin cancer is not limited to the less serious type where you have to have the lump/ mole removed and thats you done. You can also get melanoma which can and often does spread throughout your body, most commonly brain and lungs.
It kills many people. Treatment is immunotherapy where you sit with all the other people with cancer having chemo/immuno
The side effects can include things like wiping out your thyroid gland or damaging your guts so badly you end up needing a to poo in a bag.
Factor 50 every day will help you avoid this. Who wouldn’t chose to use it if they knew all the facts? But not everybody does.
I speak from personal experience.

I wear SPF50 every day and I have the scars on my face from surgery on a very aggressive BCC.

I never want to go through that again so I wear it all the time. La Roche Posay AntiHelios mainly.

I use a Garnier factor 50 that is specifically skincare rather than "suntan lotion ". My Dad has had skin cancer and another friend is dealing with a 3rd bout of melanoma. It makes sense for me to protect myself. I don't sit in the sun either.

Is it really necessary if you spend the whole week in an office and probably only outside for about 6 hours a week in a British winter? Other than any spf which may or may not be in my moisturiser and foundation, not sure if it has any, I haven't ever done this and have good skin at 60.

That’s still relatively new - I was already thirty. People got by for many centuries before that without SPF.
It makes sense to avoid getting sunburned, or to be careful if your skin is vulnerable or damaged. Otherwise, SPF 50 all the time is pointless and silly.

I use a dermalogica one because it’s cruelty free.

I don’t want a pig or puppy strapped under a uv light to see how much they burn.

I wear factor 50 every day on my face, neck and chest. La Roche Posay is fantastic - unscented, lightweight, not greasy.

If you're using active ingredients in your serums / toners you especially need spf

Crikey! That's a bit of a hysterical over reaction to these creams.

It isn't a stench. It is a smell you dislike. Do you always use such dramatic language?

I have started using Nivea Luminous Anti Dark Spot Day Fluid SPF50. It is less greasy than a lot of high SPF face creams. I don't wear foundation unless I am going out or to work where in both cases I am indoors most of the time, so I don't need to top up the SPF.

I work from home most of the time and don't sit next to a window. In winter, with the short, grey gloomy days I don't feel the need to wear SPF50, but I will because that is what I now use as moisturiser.

I really like the Superdrug one! They do one for more mature skin which has a lovely texture and seems to work well. It's not pricey either!

I think it makes sense to slap it on but must confess if I'm heading to work in the middle of winter and not going out anywhere I'll shove a moisturiser with spf on rather than use two products