Sunscreen news

[roadie gal]

I can verify that Coppertone does not work, since I ended up with one of the worst burns I had in years! Within 24 hours I had burn blisters! Ouch! After that I bring the can with me to reapply every so often and even then I tan up even more. I heard that Bullfrog was really good. Has anyone used that?

Thanks for the tip on the others, I might need to switch.

It works well. My only problem with it is that it STINGS if it gets in your eyes. I sweat like a fiend, so this is a big consideration for me.

[VeloVT]

Well, not exactly. They don't lobby anyone for anything. Their purpose is to provide information to the public. Their scientists compile research done by government agencies and in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and all the research is quoted on their site. They don't rely on any non-peer-reviewed data except government data. (...) EWG is a news source that accepts no advertising and gains no direct benefit from providing their information. And, in terms of the proportion of program expenses to total fundraising, they're perennially a top-rated charity.

I'm still skeptical. How many people go and check the sources and have the background to determine whether the conclusions extrapolated by EWG are really valid conclusions to draw from the data they cite?

If you browse the Skin Deep site, the level of danger they ascribe to just about everything is SO outside the mainstream that I really have to believe they choose their conclusions ahead of time and then search very hard to find some evidence that might support them if presented in the right way.

Edit: EWG has both a 501(c)3 and a 501(c)4, and use the c4 organization to engage in lobbying (http://www.ewg.org/about)... Not that I have any problem with lobbying, but it suggests that EWG has a specific agenda to promote and may have a vested interest in the nature of the results they find/publish.

[VeloVT]

On the topic of sunscreen though, I've been using Neutrogena Age Shield Face SPF 70 on my face. I'm a bit oily and this sunscreen is very light & dry, although it smells like house paint. I really like it for exercise or anytime I'm going to be out for a long time. For general use I like something a little lighter (usually with SPF 30), I've had good luck with some of the Murad products.

For body, I use Coppertone Waterbabies SPF 50, which DOES offer good UVA protection (3% Avobenzene). It works well for me (and smells like baby powder, which I like!), but I'm more of a tanner than a burner anyway. However, my boyfriend is very, very fair and burns at the thought of sun, and this has done a good job protecting him from burning on 3-4 hour rides before. (I use this on my body instead of the Neutrogena basically because it comes in bigger bottles and is cheaper).

Someone mentioned the Clarins titanium dioxide block. I used to use that and it's really, really nice, especially if you have combination-to-oily skin. It has a watery texture that just disappears on your skin. I wouldn't use it for exercising because I think it tends to streak off when you sweat heavily, but it's very nice for every day wear. Although I've kind of stopped using physical blocks for day-to-day wear because I like to put sunscreen all the way down my neck, and I find that titanium-based blocks, even really light & sheer ones, tend to rub off, and it doesn't look nice if you're wearing, say, a black suit .

[Lifesgreat]

I find that titanium-based blocks, even really light & sheer ones, tend to rub off, and it doesn't look nice if you're wearing, say, a black suit .

The voice of experience?

[aicabsolut]

Clarins makes a very light (and pricey) physical blocker for the face. I've tested it out, but haven't brought myself to buy it yet although that's on my To Do list.

http://us.clarins.com/webapp/wcs/sto...10204_-1_31181

When I ride, I have resigned myself to looking like a zombie with my white streaked legs and arms.

The Clarins stuff is great, but it is not sweatproof. It is one of the few that doesn't irritate my skin, and I guess it's hard to have a physical blocker that will truly stay put. That said, I don't think I've gotten it in my eyes. It's just easy to rub off.

I like Coppertone sport for my arms and legs, but my chest, neck, and face are too sensitive for it. I get bad heat rashes anyway.

I detest Neutrogena. Despite all the claims, it sweats off and runs into the eyes. Plus, it feels greasy to me.

I think I need to locate some good ol' BullFrog.

[elk]

DHC has a really nice SPF 30 with zinc ox...but I'm not sure about the sweat factor...

(I finally quit throwing their catalogs and samples away--about a year ago---tried the samples and I fell in love with their products....)

[KnottedYet]

that Clarins stuff is very nice (got to sample a tiny bit) but, boy Howdy! $40 for 1 ounce is well beyond my price range.

I really like the "All Terrain" that TE carries, and the Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic baby/kid stuff. Also really like the Dermacote that comes as a paste in a tin. Like shoe polish. That stuff is intense!

[aicabsolut]

that Clarins stuff is very nice (got to sample a tiny bit) but, boy Howdy! $40 for 1 ounce is well beyond my price range.

I really like the "All Terrain" that TE carries, and the Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic baby/kid stuff. Also really like the Dermacote that comes as a paste in a tin. Like shoe polish. That stuff is intense!

Yeah, it's a lot, but since I just use it on my face, it lasts a pretty long time.

Oh, as for pastes, I like the Coppertone Sport Stick for higher friction places (like the collar area)

[TsPoet]

Well, not exactly. They don't lobby anyone for anything. Their purpose is to provide information to the public. Their scientists compile research done by government agencies and in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and all the research is quoted on their site. They don't rely on any non-peer-reviewed data except government data.

They are a group trying to extend their own agenda, they report on the peer-reviewed "scientific" literature they want to put forth their agenda and ignore the literature that doesn't. They also misinterpret a lot of what they report on. The basic tenant of toxicology is "the dose makes the poison".
I peer-review about 25 articles/year and I can tell you I don't always agree with their opinions, it's the basic science that's peer-reviewed, often not the opinions. Also, as a peer reviewer you can make a comment - like the author's definition of "low dose" isn't a low dose - and the authors usually aren't made to change it.
For the sunscreen report this is very important (as it is for all of the BPA "reports" by this group and others like it), if it isn't absorbed into the skin in sufficient amounts, it isn't a problem.
I don't know anything about what works as a sunscreen and what doesn't, simplistically, it seems to me that if it didn't work we'd all get sunburns and not buy the products.
Their reports on toxicity are vague and unsubstantiated.

[jennrod12]

I have fair skin and have had a couple of pre-cancerous spots removed from my face. I burn even before my skin turns red, and I find it difficult to tan.

My dermatologist recommended Neutrogena products to me. I use the Ultra Sheer Dry-touch Sunblock on my face, just found it in 85 SPF! (Note: my husband just went to the dermatologist and she recommended 55 SPF for him, and 70 SPF for me, based on his description of me. I had been using 55 SPF, so he bought me some 70 SPF and took my 55. FYI, the 70 SPF definitely worked better than the 55 SPF.) I put it on about an hour before I ride. Then 15 minutes or so before I ride, I top it off with the Canadian version of L'Oreal Ombrelle that contains Titanium dioxide and Mexoryl. We picked some up when visiting my sister in Canada. I only put that on below my eyes, though, because it will run and sting. I also have a little tiny tube of Neutragena 55 SPF that I keep in my seatpack to reapply on my face.

I'll put almost anything on my legs, the L'Oreal (which is 45 SPF), or 50 SPF Coppertone Sport. I had some Neutragena gel stuff which was really vile, but it stayed on superbly, so I used it on my legs. It worked great, but they don't seem to sell it any more. All those sunscreens feel too "coating" to put on my arms, they make my arms feel like they can't breathe, but my legs don't care.

I usually put 45 SPF Neutragena UVA/UVB sunblock on my arms because it feels good and you get 4 oz for the same price as 3 oz of the Dry Touch version. If I'm going to be out more than 3 hours, I wear a long-sleeved silk undershirt under my jersey to protect my arms. The combo works well.

Oh, I also have a tiny container of zinc oxide that I will use on my face if I'm doing a weeklong tour. It's yellow, yuck!

YMMV, Jenn

[short cut sally]

I have had good luck with Banana Boat sport spf 50. I need to get a new tube as my tube is getting older and just about gone. Its 2 years old and still works well. I've never burned thru it and it doesn't seem to break my face out-I don't need any addtional help with that problem.

[michelem]

From what I understand (and please correct me if I'm wrong), the SPF applies only to UVB rays -- these are the rays that cause burning. UVA rays are the ones that cause wrinkles, cancer, etc. and the SPF does not apply to these rays. I THINK that some of the sunscreens reported as ineffective don't have enough UVA protection in them. We go through life thinking we've been effectively protecting our skin 'cause we don't burn, blissfully unaware that the UVA rays are silently doing their below-the-surface damage . . .

[katluvr]

As a Floridian who is outdoors A LOT and does not necessarily AVOID the sun. (yes, go ahead and tell me all the bad skin cancer stories) I just thought the BEST thing about this thread is that everyone IS trying to protect their skin. Being athletic and outdoor a lot it is important to use a product that works for you...that keeps you from "burning". Reading up and using what makes you feel best (chemical vs non-chemical) is again what matters. I have become "better" with my sunscreen use. I admit, not as good as I should, but better. So if coppertone protects you--fine. I did not check the list...I doubt my fave sunscreen/block is on the list. But it works for me. To me that is what is important, my experience w/ a product. Maybe I should "read more"--but I just am not sure I want to be "scared" about the product that seems to work well for me.
So for my next ride...I'll be sure to apply! (However, I do hate how much more it makes me sweat when I apply it!)

[VeloVT]

Michellem & Katluvr --
I think what is concerning is that, as I understand it (and I could have this wrong), UVB rays are responsible for sunburns. UVA rays, on the other hand, are responsible for a lot of deeper damage that doesn't necessarily cause obvious immediate symptoms like sunburns, but leads to premature aging and possibly skin cancer.

So, if your sunblock doesn't have adequate UVA protection but DOES have adequate UVB protection, you could be protected from burns (and thus think you are just fine), but still get that other, more insidious damage. You can't assess whether or not your sunscreen protects you from UVA based on whether or not you burn.

But even the EWG report (which I still think is WAY overblown) says something like 7 or 15 percent of sunblocks DON'T protect against UVA -- which means between 85-93 per cent of drugstore sunscreens DO protect against UVA, and it's pretty easy to verify which ones do by looking at the ingredient list.

I believe in Europe sunscreens are given two ratings, one that is like SPF (which measure UVB protection) and one that addresses UVA protection... we should probably do that here too...

[bluebug32]

I like the Blue Lizard sunscreen, but it's very greasy and I tend to have greasy skin anyway. Could anyone recommend a non-chemical sunscreen that's a little lighter?