Protecting the Face/Skin

[popopanther]

Hi,
I'm new to these forums. Happy to be here!
I'm wondering if any of you have any luck with protecting your face from the sun... with something stronger than sun block... I use a gator in the winter - or sometimes I just ride at night. My face is CRAZY sensitive and I burn VERY easily. Any facial masks or guards that you'd recommend in the summer?
I put on total block every 30 mins but still burn.
Help
Thanks, Peg

[pooks]

Good question -- and I'm looking forward to the answers. I have the same prob and in Dallas, it's a real issue.

[michelem]

Hi Peg,

Welcome. I'm new too and also have sensitive skin. I've not had good luck with chemical sunscreens, but do very well with zinc oxide. You may want to try Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen - Sensitive:

CHEMICAL-FREE, FRAGRANCE-FREE
10 percent Zinc Oxide, 5 percent Titanium Dioxide
Smart Bottle™ turns blue in UV light
Available in: 1.25oz., 3oz., 5oz., 1 gallon

http://www.crownlaboratories.com/blu...ator/index.php


As far as a face shield goes, you might want to try Solumbra:
http://www.solumbra.com/product.asp?...=ay&SUBCAT=0av

http://www.solumbra.com/product.asp?...=ac&SUBCAT=0ac

http://www.solumbra.com/product.asp?...=ac&SUBCAT=0ac

I don't suggest their bike jersey though. If you want one of those, I HIGHLY recommend Boure.
http://www.boure.com/8604W.html

Good luck to you!

[pooks]

Blue Lizard is what I bought from my dermatologist, before it was available at local stores. Great stuff.

[liberty]

One of the ladies here told me to try Dermatone. It is a transparent zinc oxide. I have some facial sun spots that get darker over the summer. They are cleverly located where a mustache would be and along my nose. Very lovely. But I've noticed with the Dermatone that my face is handling the sun a lot better. For riding, I use the lotion on my arms and the paste on my face. And then for non-riding times, I use the lotion under my makeup. It has taken a load off my mind to use this! I bought them both at REI. The paste comes in a little tin; perfect for putting in a jersey pocket! Be aware the paste is greasy. But for me, I don't care. My face would be shiny anyway since I sweat so much.

And since I have no idea how to insert a link to the thread where I was told about Dermatone, look in the Gears and Accessories section, thread topic is "Helmet Visors".

[KnottedYet]

Dermatone paste is my friend! (so is my helmet visor, and my big brimmed hat for off the bike.)

[sarahlou]

[QUOTE=liberty;189801]One of the ladies here told me to try Dermatone. It is a transparent zinc oxide. I have some facial sun spots that get darker over the summer. They are cleverly located where a mustache would be and along my nose. Very lovely.

Liberty, I have the very same problem. It has only started happening in the last year. Have you found anything that lightens the skin? Or is the only thing to do to not get any sun on your face?

[michelem]

Yes. Dermatone is very similar to the regular/non-sensitive skin Blue Lizard stuff. In addition to the zinc oxide, it also contains chemical sunscreens. Good stuff if you are not sensitive to the chemical sunscreens. Zinc oxide doesn't break down when exposed to sunlight like the chemical sunscreens.

http://www.rei.com/product/751276

[liberty]

[QUOTE=sarahlou;189818]

One of the ladies here told me to try Dermatone. It is a transparent zinc oxide. I have some facial sun spots that get darker over the summer. They are cleverly located where a mustache would be and along my nose. Very lovely.

Liberty, I have the very same problem. It has only started happening in the last year. Have you found anything that lightens the skin? Or is the only thing to do to not get any sun on your face?

Saralou - well, I've tried several skin lightening products. But I am wary of most of them because you have to be careful for several days to not be in the sun while you use them, otherwise it can increase sun damage. Figure that one out! My current facial routine is to use Mary Kay Time Wise cleansers, and then use the MK Even Complexion Essence. I also bought the microdermabrasion stuff, but I have to be careful about it because my skin is so sensitive to abrasive products. I have been very pleased with the MK. Over the winter I've noticed a drastic improvement in the pigmentation of my skin; this is the first summer I will have a sunscreen that works, so I am hoping to maintain the improvements.

I would recommend you get a good sunscreen and blocker, and forget about a tan this year. Don't see why you need to stay out of the sun. Stick to the shade when you don't need to be in the sun. Just be diligent about keeping the zinc oxide on your skin. I make sure to bike during the least sun damaging times of the day too.

I will be able to put Dermatone to a huge test in a few weeks, because i'm going to South America for 10 days. The wonderful land that gave me sun spots in the first place... KnottedYet, thank you so much for recommending Dermatone! Peace of mind in a bottle. I will let you gals know if it stands up to the sub-tropical sun.