My problem is this very fair skin which is also very sensitive to most creams, gels and sprays - the malibu stuff Mander mentioned brings me out in a really itchy rash just on my legs. On my face it would be agony within 10 minutes. I tend to go with the long sleeves, floppy hat approach and limiting time in the sun. I do use Clinique SPF creams and sun blocks but I can't say I've rigorously tested them because I do just stay in the shade, mostly. Their SPF 40 stuff seems to stop my nose burning without giving me spots, that's as much as I can offer. Everyone's skin is different, I think, and what works for some will either not work or cause some other problem for others.
My ex SIL - ginger - used to have sunscreen prescribed by the GP. Not sure which brand it was, but has your doctor got any advice, @Fire ?
My skin reacts to a lot of things too - every new lotion or potion has to be tried cautiously and I do try to cover up and stay mostly in the shade when the sun is strong.
I have both Scots and Irish ancestors, and my grandad (who had neither as far as I know) was apparently a redhead. I'm doomed!
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I’ve been using La Roche Posay Antihelios sensitive. I’ve got some dodgy patches on my nose, and wanted a factor 50, that can also be applied around the eyes. It has always annoyed me that one area I wanted to protect is the potentially wrinkly eye area, and most products are covered in warnings not to use near the eyes! This one is ok for that, apparently safe for contact lens wearers too. I’ve been using it for over a year, including through the winter, and have stayed ‘pale and interesting’! It’s a bit pricey, so I only use it on my face and neck.
I’ve been using La Roche Posay Antihelios sensitive.
That's the one of the ones I'm currently on, SPF50+. Do you find it works for you?
I suspect good quality anti-UV sunglasses are best for protecting the eyes (mental note to self).
One thing I notice is that products styles as cosmeticly-ended face creams don't have to have a production or expiry date on, where as bottle of specific sunblock have to be dated (I think). The active ingredients lose efficacy with a year or two. It might make a big difference. The La Roche, for example, doesn't have a date on the bottle, so if it was in storage for three or four years, we would never know.
@Ergates, I used to use the same one as you and I like it v much as it works well with makeup over the top as long as you leave it to soak in for 15 mins or so. A beauty YouTuber pointed out that Garnier ambre solaire is the same company that owns la Roche posay and garnier also make a face sunscreen factor 50+which I would say is identical. Needles to say I tried it and it’s a lot cheaper. They also do one for sensitive skin.
Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.
Being a lawn bowler, out in sun for 3 - 4 hours at a time, I use Calypso spf50 and find it doesn't stain my "whites" and protects my sensitive neck. For cool, I use one of the scarf/towels that you wet and wring out.
I'm very late to this thread so forgive any repetitions to what I say.
I used to have a friend with a health condition such that she burnt way too easily. We're talking serious health issues. Being a keen walker she found her solutions. IIRC it started with a very strict routine hours before leaving to go out. First off reimanns p20 sun lotion (IIRC in the higher rating available). Applied liberally and allowed to soak in. Next step a 5 star 50spf rated of a certain make and version. I can't recall what it was but it's not your cheap and nasty calypso brand stuff that's for sure. That went on and given at least half an hour to soak in. I think that was the all day protection stuff too. Then one last dose of that half an hour before going out.
Then during the day she covered any bare skin with more of that SPF50 all day lotion at regular intervals. Two hours probably. She wore brimmed hats and mostly shirts down to her forearm at least. She did wear shorts in summer.
Bear in mind this was the routine all summer whenever she went out into the sun. It worked and she really enjoyed being in the hills despite the extra effort. Possibly it made it better!!!!????
So my advice if you're at risk due to the sun p20 and let it settle in while inside then a second brand of all day 5 star SPF 50 lotion and settle it in. Then through the time you're outside reapply as if it wasn't the all day stuff. No guarantee but it can work.
I am a fair-skinned, freckly, natural redhead. I have worn M&S suncream for many years and it has always afforded me good protection. Where I live usually has wonderful, sunny weather (forecast 33 at the weekend!) but I have never been burned despite spending most of the day outdoors. I use F50 on my face, neck, decolletage and hands and F30 elsewhere. I have also used P20 in the past on myself and my children when they were young and this was also very effective.
Martina Franca, Puglia, southern Italy Love living in Italy but a Loiner at heart
Bit of a side note... I'm remembering that some outdoor clothing advertises it's SPF values, and I'm wondering if part of what might help is high SPF clothing that also is reasonably cool to wear?
I grew up in a high altitude, very sunny place (Colorado) and I work outdoors, often spending all day hiking in the desert when I was working in New Mexico. Sunburn was always a big problem. I buy tightly woven men's dress shirts (or other long-sleeved shirts with a collar) in light colours and wear those over a tank top when I am out in the sun. It's not 100% but it does help a lot. A bonus is that if it's too hot you can get it wet and it will help you cool off as it dries. Now that I'm in England I rarely get that hot anymore but I have a scruffy long-sleeved shirt that I throw on when I'm planning to spend the day out in the garden. And a floppy hat.
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I used to have a friend with a health condition such that she burnt way too easily. We're talking serious health issues. Being a keen walker she found her solutions. IIRC it started with a very strict routine hours before leaving to go out. First off reimanns p20 sun lotion (IIRC in the higher rating available). Applied liberally and allowed to soak in. Next step a 5 star 50spf rated of a certain make and version. I can't recall what it was but it's not your cheap and nasty calypso brand stuff that's for sure. That went on and given at least half an hour to soak in. I think that was the all day protection stuff too. Then one last dose of that half an hour before going out.
Then during the day she covered any bare skin with more of that SPF50 all day lotion at regular intervals. Two hours probably. She wore brimmed hats and mostly shirts down to her forearm at least. She did wear shorts in summer.
Bear in mind this was the routine all summer whenever she went out into the sun. It worked and she really enjoyed being in the hills despite the extra effort. Possibly it made it better!!!!????
So my advice if you're at risk due to the sun p20 and let it settle in while inside then a second brand of all day 5 star SPF 50 lotion and settle it in. Then through the time you're outside reapply as if it wasn't the all day stuff. No guarantee but it can work.
Love living in Italy but a Loiner at heart