What sunblock do you use?

Unless I'm sat on a beach I don't, but otherwise I normally go for some factor 15 whatever brand SHWBO has - I'm fortunate that I tend not to burn, but my Mediterranean blood helps and tend to go very brown.

You need to look at the UVA and UVB ratings - the first being the more important for protecting from cancer so look for that rating, the latter is more dealing with skin ageing and damage.
 
Dont forget what the SPF actually means. There very little difference to the protection offered by SPF30 and SPF50 (about 1%). The SPF is the length of time it offers protection, not the amount of protection itself. If you burn in 10 minutes, SPF 30 will mean you can stay in the sun 30x longer before you start to burn. And of course the figures quoted are in lab environments and are degraded by things like heavy sweating, swimming and clothes rubbing.
In Australia, sunblock is capped at 30+. I think partly to stop people thinking that a higher value offers more protection. The advice would be to re-apply every couple of hours regardless of the SPF.

Also, just because you think you don't burn in the sun, your skin is still suffering damage and over time it loses its elasticity faster than areas protected by clothing.
When i lived in the UK i always loved being out in the sun at any opportunity. Now living up in the tropics, i try and stay out of it as much as i can, or cover up when i expect to be out for a while.
 
Apparently you have to look out for a star rating as well as the sun protection factor. I have a bottle of Nivea Factor 50 suncream at home, but it's only 3* for the other type of UV light, so I'll have to get a different brand /sigh
 
I wear a spacesuit.
I am Ginger and pale you see, with absolutely no resilience to the sunshine.

Seriously, usually wear SPF 50 Ambre Solaire - it's the one for kids tbh but as we make them use it it makes sense.
I do tend to stay out of the sun though, I just got back off holiday in Almeria and came back whiter than when I went.

Funny thing is, my missus loves the sun and goes really brown (see RAL 8007).
Looks strange....I'm a fair bit whiter than her white bits.
 
Armageus said:
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.
Click to expand...

This. We've tried everything and the main brands are ok, but Riemann is fantastic.

It's pricey though and you have to work fast when applying - it dries quickly so you won't get much coverage if you don't. Upside is that you can go for a dip and don't have to reapply afterwards unless you've been very active in the water.
 
Last edited:
Armageus said:
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.
Click to expand...

same for me..and I am (or at least was!) ginger

out fishing all day and this is the stuff I use...if it stops me burning, then it will work for anybody...I could get sunburn from standing under a 100w bulb for too long!

you wont get a tan using it, but it will certainly protect you
 
Freefaller said:
Unless I'm sat on a beach I don't, but otherwise I normally go for some factor 15 whatever brand SHWBO has - I'm fortunate that I tend not to burn, but my Mediterranean blood helps and tend to go very brown.

You need to look at the UVA and UVB ratings - the first being the more important for protecting from cancer so look for that rating, the latter is more dealing with skin ageing and damage.
Click to expand...

This thread has just reminded me I need to pick some up before the weekend, last years lobster impression was pretty painful!
 
George Hincapie said:
Shade.

Seriously, I hate being in the sun.
Click to expand...

This :D

Probably should get some to be honest... I don't tan though I sat in the sun all day last Saturday and minus a very slight tan (you can't really notice it) absolutely nothing. My neck on the other hand, that tans like hell. Luckily I don't really burn.
 
Orionaut said:
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: [/SPOILER]
Click to expand...

Your face is going to look like and old leather bag by the time you're 40


I don't use sun block myself but i stay out of the sun as much as possible. I was never one for Tanning myself and never been tempted
 
In the UK I didn't worry too much. Whatever SPF and as often as needed was fine.

NZ and AUS are different as the sun is pretty ferocious and you really don't want to mess around.
 
whatevers in the cupboard, at the mo it's boot's soltan spf15. worked fine yesterday was out doing the lawn then a very sweaty 3 hour bike ride. being fair, blue eyed i cake the stuff on, no sunburn anywhere.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom