Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with sunscreen

Easy Sun Protection for the Lazy

craichead — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 08:31:41 -0800

My dad was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma, and apparently that means I'm at increased risk. I guess I need to start thinking about sun protection. Problem: I am very, very lazy. I know I'm supposed to wear sunscreen every day. I tend to dawdle in the morning, though, and I don't want to be late for work, so most days it's all I can do to brush my teeth and slap on some mascara before I run out the door. I need some advice for sun protection that doesn't take a lot of time or effort. I know that this is important and I should be willing to sacrifice the time and make the effort, but the truth of the matter is that I won't do it unless it's very easy.

Vital stats: I'm female. I don't wear foundation, and I don't put on moisturizer in the morning. I ride my bike to work, and I wear a helmet. I work in a windowless indoor office. I don't participate in any outdoor activities, and I certainly don't intentionally sunbathe or use tanning beds, but I do tend to walk outside a lot.

Any ideas, hivemind?

Its a necessity dammit!

QUHZK — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:33:28 -0800

Is there any place to purchase sunscreen at the Orlando International Airport? My wife and I are flying into Orlando and have about an hour between our flight and our chartered bus to Port Canaveral (woo! long weekend cruise!). We've limited ourselves to just carry-on luggage, so we've been able to figure out how to limit our liquids to the bare essentials. However, we are both pasty white and desperately need way more than 3.4 ounces of sunscreen. Is there someplace in the airport itself that sells sunscreen? If not, is there someplace within quick walking distance that would?

Stop the stains!

patnok — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:13:06 -0800

I have used bullfrog sunblock for years & just the past year started having problems with staining. Bullfrog + sweat = stained shirts after washing. Their web site has no contact info. Any ideas?

Everyday sunscreen?

leahwrenn — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:43:34 -0800

Recommend a daily high SPF sunscreen for sensitive skin? I sunburn quite easily, so I probably should be wearing sunscreen every day during the summer, at least. I bought some Neutrogena AgeShield Face Sunblock (SPF 55), and dutifully wore it every day for 5 days or so, but my face started to sting when I applied it, so I stopped.

Any suggestions for good, non-greasy sunscreen that's suitable for the face for everyday use?

(incidentally, do you think there'd be any use in complaining about the other sunscreen? It wasn't cheap, but I don't really think I should be using something that was causing irritation.)

Moisturizer with SPF or separate sunscreen?

modernnomad — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:24:00 -0800

Men's moisturizer with SPF or separate moisturizer and sunscreen? Is there any difference, advantage, or disadvantage to using a single moisturizer with SPF versus a separate moisturizer and then sunscreen? I've noticed that the range of mens moisturizers tend to be quite limited, and when I do find one with SPF it seems to be substantially more expensive than a regular one. Thoughts?

Tattoos and Sun

unknowncommand — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:50:51 -0800

I have large, detailed, black-ink tattoos that take up my arm from elbow to shoulder. I like them very much and don't want them to fade (they're 2 years old). I walk around outside a lot (not to mention the beach and park), and I would like to keep my tattoos as protected from the sun as possible. At the same time, though, it's very hot to wear sleeves, and if I only wear half-sleeves then I get a stupid-looking tan (especially when I will be attending weddings where I will be wearing spaghetti straps). Not to mention the fact that I enjoy them being visible in public.

Does anyone else worry about this? What do you do about it? Just put on sunscreen and forget it, or can you recommend some sort of lightweight but opaque-enough cover up? I've considered fake tanning the upper part of my arms and shoulders, but I'm worried the color will be really different from my forearms.

High SPF sunscreen for acne-prone skin?

HotToddy — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:33:48 -0800

Sunscreen SPF 30 or higher that won't make me break out? I am exceedingly acne-prone. Everything makes me break out, including every sunscreen I've ever tried. Unfortunately, I am also prone to hyperpigmentation, so I need a high SPF sunscreen. Right now the best one I've found is Olay Complete Defense SPF 30 for sensitive skin, but I still break out from it. Clinique City Block is pretty good but makes me look too chalky, plus it doesn't seem to give total protection. Do you know of one that won't make me break out but also doesn't look too greasy or chalky?

When did suntan lotion become sunscreen?

Tube — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 09:06:03 -0800

When did "suntan lotion" become "sunscreen"? I experienced many sunburns as a child, having red hair and growing up in the "Big Sky Country" of Western Montana. My memory is that "suntan lotion" available in the late 1960's and early 1970's had no UV protection qualities whatsoever, but I'm not certain of this. I've seen photographs of mountain climbers from many years ago with what appears to be zinc oxide based creams on their noses, so I know that was available. But I'm curious about products intended for use all over, wherever skin is exposed.

To the best of my knowledge, genuinely effective "sunscreen" didn't become available until the 1980's, but I'm not sure about this. Was "sunscreen" available in the 60's and 70's and I just missed the boat?

Dermatologists (or those who go to them) help me prevent & treat wrinkles (details inside).

mintchip — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:04:27 -0800

Dermatologists (or those who go to them) help me prevent & treat undereye wrinkles (details inside). I've been a die-hard sunscreen user for years, and I'm also fanatic about staying out of the sun. Consequently, people always guess I'm almost a decade younger.

However, newer sunscreen formulas always manage to get into my eyes and are extremely irritating so lately I've stopped using sunscreen around the eye area. Also, I tend to squint a lot when I smile.

ALL of a sudden(!) I just woke up with fine lines under my eyes...and they are getting worse.

My questions are thus:

1. Are there sunscreens that absolutely won't irritate the eye area?
2. If I learn to stop squinting when I smile will it make any difference at this point?
3. Is there any treatment that will really fix the fine lines? Do lasers really work and if so, how much do they cost? What about topical treatments (OTC, prescription, etc.)?

I know this might seem silly, but humor me please. I've been wearing sunscreen 365 days/year for years, so obviously I am hoping to slow Father Time.

Is it okay to mix foundation with your sunscreen?

thehmsbeagle — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 15:06:55 -0800

Is it okay to mix a dab of foundation with your sunscreen to make an ersatz "tinted moisturizer"? Or will it create a rip in the very fabric of space and time? I wear sunscreen (Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF45, if it matters) every day on my face and any other exposed skin. I don't normally like to wear a full coat of foundation, but I do sometimes wish for a sheer tint to even out my skintone without feeling like I'm covered in spackle.

I've recently been mixing a dab of foundation into my sunscreen before applying it, as you might do to sheerly tint your moisturizer. Is there any reason I *shouldn't* do this? I'm not a chemistry whiz, so my feeling that this is probably okay is largely groundless, and my googling was inconclusive.

Also-- I know there are SPF-rated foundations, but I only like *very* sheer coverage, so I don't think I'd be able to get enough sun protection from them.

I love love love my sunblock and don't want to try other products or, obviously, stop using it-- if adding the foundation is doing something evil to it, I'll just knock it off and be mildly blotchy.

Thanks, everyone!

Good sunscreen?

punishinglemur — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 10:13:18 -0800

Reading Wikipedia gives one the impression that most sunscreens and sunscreen ingredients are ineffective and/or give you skin cancer or other sickness. What's a good sunscreen brand I should purchase that will both protect me from the sun and also not kill me?

Swamp Things

unSane — Sun, 07 May 2006 08:01:41 -0800

I do a lot of photography in swamps and woods lugging a big (4x5, 6x12, or 6x17) camera around. Up here, the sun is fierce, the swamps are wet, and the bugs are vicious. What hat, sunscreen and bugspray do mefi-ers recommend from personal experience? I'm looking for recommendations for:

HAT
I normally use a Filson Packer Hat, but mines now so disgusting, with layers of sunscreen, bugspray, dirt, oil and diesel on it, that I have to retire it. I recently got one of these MEC Safari caps after a bad sunburn on the back of my neck. I was thinking about the Filson Bush Hat. NB I refuse to wear Tilleys for reasons which I hope are flippin' obvious.

BOOTS
I'm thinking about a pair of goretex hiking boots. I like the ones with high ankles and lots of support.

SUNSCREEN
I've been using the 30 SPF gel stuff, which I like a lot except that when you get it up your nose it's like being tear-gassed. Also, it seems to wear off after a few hours.

BUGSPRAY
Ah, the sweet smell of Deet! The strongest stuff generally available here in Canada these days is 30%, which works fine but wears off *very* quickly. Can I import stronger stuff? What recommendations?

BUGSHIRTS
I have one of those cheap camping-store bugshirts for the days when the mosquitoes are just driving you insane. Are these optimal or are there better ones if you spend more money?

And yes I do look and smell like a nightmare when fully clad.

Serious business.

thirteenkiller — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 19:20:39 -0800

What's so special about baby skin? I went out in search of sunscreen tonight and came home with this, which says it's specially formulated for babies but appealed to me because it's fragrance free. Aveeno has another sunscreen that's the same price and SPF, but not specially formulated for babies. The two products share three of their four or five active ingredients and the directions are basically the same. So, besides the addition of fragrance to the adult version, what's the difference?

Can you help me find the perfect sunscreen?

betterton — Fri, 17 Jun 2005 12:24:20 -0800

I am looking for a good daily sunscreen to wear on my face. My criteria are: (1) little/no chemical "sunscreen" smell; (2) fragrance-free; (3) oil-free; (4) SPF in the 8-15 range; (5) transparent or clear. How the sunscreen smells is very important to me: I am sensitive to smells and often don't wear sunscreen because the scent is so strong. Yes, I have read the previous posts on sunscreen, but none of them address the smell problem that's so important to me.

Sunscreen for sensitive skin?

crapulent — Thu, 26 May 2005 11:02:56 -0800

I have sensitive skin and I need a good sunscreen. I am desperately seeking an all-natural sunscreen that won't irritate my very sensitive facial skin. I am extremely picky about ingredients, therefore I have a grudge against all department store and grocery store brands. I'm looking for something with no fragrances, no preservatives, and all that junk. I would prefer a product in which zinc oxide is the only active ingredient, but I guess titanium dioxide is okay too.

I need something with an SPF of 25 or higher to wear under my makeup. I ordered some MexiTan (www.mexitanproducts.com -- sorry, don't know how to link in this window), which is the best that I could find after many hours of Googling, but I am looking for other suggestions as well.

Recommendation for a clear (non-opaque) sunscreen lotion?

WestCoaster — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 20:27:36 -0800

I'd like a recommendation for a clear (non-opaque) sunscreen lotion. Neutrogena had one (SPF 30, I think), but I can't find it anymore (store or on the web). Does anyone have a recommendation (or a source), for that or a similar clear sunscreen lotion? By "clear", I mean that the sunscreen lotion isn't whitish. I'm trying to avoid the problem of having to completely rub the sunscreen lotion into my skin in order for it to be not visible.

If Neutrogena is still selling such a lotion (I last bought one about a year ago), it isn't obvious to me, so I'd welcome a pointer to where to buy this online. And regardless of that, suggestions as to what other clear sunscreen lotions people like are also welcome. [I'd also like SPF 30 or greater, but SPF 15 is fine, and of course waterproof(ish) is nice.]

Sunblock

insideout — Sun, 06 Feb 2005 12:51:09 -0800

SunFilter: Any recommendations for a daily facial sunblock that 1) does not leave my face all shiny; 2) provides full-spectrum protection of at least SPF 15, preferably including a physical sunblock (zinc or titanium dioxide); 3) is ok for sensitive skin? Cost is no object.

Heavy duty sunblock advice wanted

zadcat — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 17:40:06 -0800

SolarFilter: I am a redhead and thus I use sunscreen and sunblock a lot. [mi] I especially need to sunblock my face, but I have yet to find a product - cheap or expensive - that doesn't seep into my eyes after an hour or two and make them sting.

Any other heliophobes out there with suggestions for brands/ingredients to look for, or to avoid?

Ouch!

neuroshred — Sat, 13 Dec 2003 10:56:25 -0800

What's a good product for repairing sun damage to one's scalp?