As a baby I burnt so fast I had prescription sunblock. The main ingredient was some form of silver, and I am now allergic to silver (presumably from overexposure). As a child I got admitted to hospital for sunstroke twice. (Back then the treatment was ice baths, not a good experience.) Now, the more sun, the more clothes I wear. Hat, floppy top, loose trousers, scarf, gloves. Blinking ridiculous. Am thinking of one of the Islamic full body shrouds, but am not sure how cool they'd be.
Did you also know you can get various types but skin cancer in your eyes. A few years ago I had a lump just inside my bottom eyelid,got packed off to see an opthalmic consultant sharpish. Thankfully it wasn't,I have very pale eyes, wear sunglasses all year round
Following your comments, Fire, I checked my La Roche Posay sunblock, and it does have an expiry date on the crimped area on the tube. However, I thought I’d look on the Boots website in case I need to get another tube soon, and I don’t think they are selling that version anymore! Very annoying. It does work well for me. I did originally try the tinted version, thought it would add a touch of sunkissed tan! Tanned leather, more like! Far too dark for me.
I had a trial tube of Ultrasun factor 50 that I thought I’d try out today. Wasn’t out in the sun for that long, while ‘supervising’ OH cutting the grass! However, I’ve come in with a rather pink nose, so not impressed.
On recommendations from here I went back to factor 50+ Nivea protect and care kids - a mini bottle. I looks entirely like double cream and is thick and white to apply. I'll see by tomorrow if I break out in big red spots. It seems to have done ok for today - most of the afternoon in quite strong sun, gardening and sweating (wearing a hat and a long sleeved shirt). I have no big brown line around my neck, that I can see.
I checked out Nivea Sun Face Cream SPF 50 Q10, as recommended here, and it too, being more of a face cream, does not have a date on the packet or the bottle. Face creams (as opposed to an outright sun block) does seem to be a grey area that follows different regulations.
In Utah, I occasionally see people out wearing these types of hats/scarves. I have a big brimmed hat and a long sleeve button down cotton shirt I pull on if I'm only going to be out in the sun for 20 minutes or so. (I have 30spf face moisturizer I put on daily). I also tend to mainly garden in the cool of the evening, or occasionally in the morning if I am up and about before it really heats up.
Research just came out claiming cancer causing chemicals found in 78 sunscreens. So it may be a choice between melanoma or leukemia.
Now this was 20 years ago, so its possible it may be slightly outdated, but a dermatologist told me there wasn't much point going above spf 15-20 as to get the actual spf for the higher numbers you need a very thick and most people don't do that but still feel a false sense of security because of the higher number. He advised to wear 15 but reapplied very regularly (hourly at least) and to cover up with clothing and hats.
I suppose if you think about very hot places such as the middle east and North Africa, the traditional clothing for men and women is long flowing garments that keep off the sun but are still cool. Makes sense.
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Now, the more sun, the more clothes I wear. Hat, floppy top, loose trousers, scarf, gloves. Blinking ridiculous. Am thinking of one of the Islamic full body shrouds, but am not sure how cool they'd be.
However, I thought I’d look on the Boots website in case I need to get another tube soon, and I don’t think they are selling that version anymore! Very annoying. It does work well for me. I did originally try the tinted version, thought it would add a touch of sunkissed tan! Tanned leather, more like! Far too dark for me.
I had a trial tube of Ultrasun factor 50 that I thought I’d try out today. Wasn’t out in the sun for that long, while ‘supervising’ OH cutting the grass! However, I’ve come in with a rather pink nose, so not impressed.
I suppose if you think about very hot places such as the middle east and North Africa, the traditional clothing for men and women is long flowing garments that keep off the sun but are still cool. Makes sense.