What sunblock do you use?

Soldato
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20 Mar 2004
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As per the title, what sunblock do you use and can you recommend me one?

Managed to burn my neck today while out of the bike, about 2 hours out in the sun, used a nivea spray on sunblock, SPF30.
I'm fine everywhere else, as milk bottle white as ever, but I got a light burn on my neck, feels a bit tight and *tingly*

I was sweating pretty heavily though, so maybe i managed to wash off the cream on my neck? Should I look into sweat/water resistant creams?
 
Reimanns P20 - started using it following suggestion by a bald man who used it on his head.

Never been burnt, lasts all day and is waterproof. Even their low SPF one seems more effective than some other brands high SPF offerings.
 
I'm very sensitive to burning one of the few I've found to work for me is Ambre Solaire Clear Protection Spray SPF50.

I've never found (traditional) sunblock works very well for me personally dunno why (EDIT: Apparently the older ones only block UVA not UVB).
 
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I'm using ambre solaire dry mist SPF 50 / UVa 3*, as it's easy to put on (not oily). Before that I had a Nivea SPF 50, it was pretty thick to put on but melted in after a few mins.

Since I had a holiday in Oz I don't use less than SPF 50, The UVA is more recent thing for me, but I find 3* fine.

*edit - for reference, I've done a lot of canal walks recently, 6 hours+, the straight lines being great for burning one side of you :-
- No sunblock or hat and short-sleeve+high collar (neck not exposed) = arms brown, neck fine, but face / forehead angry. Quite painful and felt a touch of sunstroke.
- Sunblock, baseball cap, short sleeves with neck exposed - no ill effect.
- No sunblock, long sleeves but with no collar and same cap. Face fine, no sunstroke feeling, but really painful neck.

I should not forget sunblock.
 
Interesting.

I work outdoors all the year round.

I nether burn nor tan that much.

(Serious question) Why do others have such a problem? Do I have some sort of basic resistance built up over the decades as a result of having spent so much time outside? :confused:

We are meant to be Men! Living in the bright Sunlight of the World! Not Office slugs living in the twilight! ;) :D
 
Do I have some sort of basic resistance built up over the decades as a result of having spent so much time outside? :confused:

Yes, it's why my fore-arms do not burn when everything else does, short sleeves are common dress for me.

If I exposed my naked chest to the sun it'd be like something off first blood :cool:
 
sitting in the bar is the best sunblock, don't venture out till dusk................ its the only way to be sure
 
(Serious question) Why do others have such a problem? Do I have some sort of basic resistance built up over the decades as a result of having spent so much time outside? :confused:

I believe a good bit comes down to the composition (chemical, structural, etc.) of the epidermal skin layer - for some people its more effective at blocking UV rays from the dermal layer than others.
 
Call me paranoid, but going out into the boiling hot sun and literally cooking sunblock chemicals into your skin just doesn't sit right with me, it may stop the UV but it doesn't stop the heat.
I would recommend covering up instead.
 
I believe a good bit comes down to the composition (chemical, structural, etc.) of the epidermal skin layer - for some people its more effective at blocking UV rays from the dermal layer than others.

There are of course the obvious evolutionary aspects (The balance between Vit D production and avoiding skin cancer drives towards pale skins in high latitudes and dark skins in equatorial ones.(The Australian Abbos are a particularly interesting case))

But I am pretty fair, and yet I do not seem to suffer too many problems from being exposed to the Sun for extended periods of time. I guess this comes down to a degree of "Plasticity" in my own biology.

(My Brother OTOH burns along with the morning dew, But then he is an office wallah and rarely goes outside during the day!)
 
I believe a good bit comes down to the composition (chemical, structural, etc.) of the epidermal skin layer - for some people its more effective at blocking UV rays from the dermal layer than others.

No it's because long term exposure to sun has stimulated production of melanin (the browning hormone) which protects the skin from sun damage. Ideally you go brown, not red!
 
No it's because long term exposure to sun has stimulated production of melanin (the browning hormone) which protects the skin from sun damage. Ideally you go brown, not red!



I think you misunderstand. I do not go brown.

I remain pale despite spending all of my working life out doors. I do not burn either.

(I do get a bit of a tan but it is not particularly dark)
 
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