I've been v strict with the SPF and now I look like I've died

[WitchesofPainswick]

I've turned 50 and about a year ago SUDDENLY started taking care of my skin.

I've been using tret and so have been SPFing it up during the day.

But MY GOD I've never looked this pale and drawn.

Do I need a tinted moisturiser? How do I counteract this? I'm wondering if I'd look better as a lined crone with a slight tan. Help!

SPF 50 every day can’t be good for you? We need vitamin D and we absorb it through the sun on our skin…. And I say this as someone whose dad died of skin cancer so I do understand how important it is not to get burnt. But if you look like death maybe that’s your body’s way of telling you it’s not actually healthy? Personally I would avoid the midday sun, wear a wide brimmed hat and ditch the SPF 50…

You don’t generally get enough from the sun, everyone should supplement at least from October to April
it’s better to wear spf and supplement

Or so we are told…

Tanning drops and Chanel les beiges bronzer - the cream/balm one in a big tub. Seems expensive, lasts forever!

i wasn’t using SPF over Covid and was deficient
I mean if you’re in an office job, you’re going to work in the morning in the dark and leaving in the dark
how much sun are you really getting?

I take the well known advice which is to supplement even if you aren’t using SPF because so many people are deficient

my level was 9, it took a high dose course, then me taking 4000IU daily to even move it up to 66, there’s some interesting posts on here on vitamin D. The amount in a multi vitamin is doing nothing

I’m not saying not to take a vitamin D supplement. I’m just saying maaaaybe you don’t need SPF 50 every day. Especially not if you work in an office. And travel to and from work in the dark.

I wear a lot more spf these days and do not want to tan. I like a bit of colour of my face though so use the self tanning drops from Isle of Paradise and it looks good, very natural.

Probably not but it is summer still and OP is using tret so sensible to use it as this time of year

Ha ha I use tret and am religious with spf so understand this so well. I actually use a tinted spf (the altruist green one) and have this as a base makeup instead of foundation as gives me colour. I also sometimes put my fake tan on my face and neck (it’s a very subtle one).

Mama1980

I’m the same and recently my dr has told me to stop using SPF 50 I have serious vitamin D deficiency - I now have to take supplements (repeat bloods in 6 weeks) and use a max of factor 20 if I’m in the sun. I’ve only been using it most days for about 8 months.
Had a serious vitamin d deficiency and doctor who is a skin specialist told me the opposite- make sure you don’t let the spf slide as there’s increases in skin cancers.

I wear spf everyday no matter what.

I take vitamin D supplements. I don’t have any lines or sun spots. My dermatologist told me to cover my skin everyday.

If that's the case I'll stop wasting my money!

That’s rubbish, tret can reduce age spots, clear up melasma, reduce wrinkles.
My skin looks great for 53, I’ll continue with the SPF thanks.

I am 51. I look like I am 51. I use SPF 15 moisturiser every day and just get on with my life. I have a bit of a tan and some freckles. I don't really mind that my skin reflects my age and active outdoor lifestyle.

I really don't understand people covering themselves up completely from the sun and taking high strength vitamin D every day when a bit of exposure to the sun, without burning, would do the job naturally. But each to their own.

my mum had skin cancer, I’m a redhead who burns in 5 mins at 10am and I use tret
there isn’t really safe exposure for me so I avoid the sun and take vitamin D
I can’t expose my skin enough to get vitamin D without burning because I burn so fast

I used 50 all year, then this winter when I was also diagnosed with vit d deficiency, I thought hang on, I'm out for maybe 2 hours tops outside, the only bit of me exposed to winter sun is my face and im blocking it totally. So I've dialled it back and just use it in the warmer months.

Someone’s making a lot of cash out of us - SPF50 every day and supplements for vitamins instead of actual sunlight. Jesus.

I find that a little fake tan works fine with tret but the tan doesn't last long at all. I tent to stop the tret (but keep the spf) over the Summer, when I'm using a light fake tan.

Do you know what, I wondered how the fuck everyone dealt with that and assumed they all just wear fake tan or a coloured base.

Because I could tell I was going to have a ghost white face if I was using SPF50 every day on it. So I just don't. I do everything else right hopefully, but I like natural skin at post meno, so I don't use a high SPF on my face.

I always use a high SPF on my face but still get vit d by exposing my arms and legs to some sunlight.

Winter sun isn’t strong enough to make significant amounts of vitamin D though.

I use boots ‘protect and perfect’ factor 50 BB cream, fair, when I’m going outside for any length of time. Not in the house or being in the garden for ten minutes or so. I’m not sure I need the spf in winter but the cream gives the feeling of .a protective layer in the wind.

Also always wear sunglasses outside, quite often a cap or hat as well - UV is bad for the eyes and physical protection is a good idea too.

Cream bronzer/tint. IT Cosmetics Sun Blush is great for this. I dab on cheeks, nose, chin and temples and blend.

There are lots of tanning products available to give you a nice tan.

I’ve been wearing factor 50 for about 30 years, lived in a very hot climate for many years, I wouldn’t dream of not wearing it.

I don’t use anything expensive, dove gradual tan for my body, Avon tinted moisturiser for my face and neck or foundation. But I’m happy not being too dark, I don’t think I suit a dark tan anyway.

i have a friend who dosnt like exposing her skin to the sun, always uses factor 50 and likes the natural non makeup look, but always looks lovely and bronzed because she uses a spray tan and tanning drops.

Agree @SulkySeagull and @Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride

Fortunes made from factor 50. Worse thing is it's used mostly for vanity rather than safety reasons.

SP30 is good enough in summer. 15 minutes in winter sun without any is OK. No need for vitamin D supplements.

What’s wrong with vanity? Shall I get me sack cloth and ashes?!