Do you use sunscreen?

[lunacycles]

As one who is also uber fair with a huge family history of skin cancer, and having had several removed from me already and the scars to prove it, plus living my whole life at altitude and in the desert...

...I do not trust that most conventional sunscreens are good for us. They may keep us from being burned, but they are full of crap I simply do not trust. After slathering on spf 30's to 50's of the conventional variety for years to no good effect (in terms of preventing skin cancer)...

I have switched to mostly chemical free sunscreens, none over the level of 20 spf, and I also do the Vitamin D supplement thing. Not only do I feel better, I haven't had the yearly "bloom" of basal cell carcinomas I was starting to bitterly agree to.

I strongly suspect the efficacy of sunscreens in their ability to prevent cancer. They may prevent burn, but I don't believe most are good for us due to their heavy chemical make up, and create more problems than they prevent.

[Catrin]

....
I have switched to mostly chemical free sunscreens, none over the level of 20 spf, and I also do the Vitamin D supplement thing. Not only do I feel better, I haven't had the yearly "bloom" of basal cell carcinomas I was starting to bitterly agree to.

I strongly suspect the efficacy of sunscreens in their ability to prevent cancer. They may prevent burn, but I don't believe most are good for us due to their heavy chemical make up, and create more problems than they prevent.

Could you suggest the sunscreens that you are currently using? I have avoided the sun for most of my 50 years due to some bad experiences with sun poisoning as a child and in my early 20's. However if I want to ride I can't avoid the sun any more I currently have Coppertone Sport 50 Ultra Sweatproof sunscreen - but I do wonder about the chemical content. My skin isn't used to anything like this...

I am very fair, and also am of Eastern European ancestry (and Scot - but I take after my father's family where my complexion is concerned).

[Blueberry]

Could you suggest the sunscreens that you are currently using? I have avoided the sun for most of my 50 years due to some bad experiences with sun poisoning as a child and in my early 20's. However if I want to ride I can't avoid the sun any more I currently have Coppertone Sport 50 Ultra Sweatproof sunscreen - but I do wonder about the chemical content. My skin isn't used to anything like this...

I am very fair, and also am of Eastern European ancestry (and Scot - but I take after my father's family where my complexion is concerned).

I'm not Margo, but next on my list to try is Badger Balm. I think they have a 30 - but it's zinc oxide - nothing icky. There was some sort of rating page that I remember thinking highly of that rated it well.

[abejita]

Skinceuticals has some excellent sunscreens, some of which are all physical...

http://www.skinceuticals.com/_us/_en...g/protect.aspx

Total Block is another good physical sunscreen...
http://www.falleneskincare.com/displ...criteria=12552

I use Nia24 sunscreen daily and I love it. It is a physical sunscreen. The only problem is that it is not waterproof, so I use La Roche Posey when I need some waterproof.

http://www.skin-etc.com/nia24sundapr.html

[lunacycles]

Could you suggest the sunscreens that you are currently using? I have avoided the sun for most of my 50 years due to some bad experiences with sun poisoning as a child and in my early 20's. However if I want to ride I can't avoid the sun any more I currently have Coppertone Sport 50 Ultra Sweatproof sunscreen - but I do wonder about the chemical content. My skin isn't used to anything like this...

I am very fair, and also am of Eastern European ancestry (and Scot - but I take after my father's family where my complexion is concerned).

My current fave is "BestBloc" organic uva/uvb spf 15 from Best on Earth. It is really good, feels very light, no zinc oxide, and bloody expensive (but at this point my skin is definitely worth it).

http://bestonearthproducts.com/bestb..._sunscreen.php

Another good one is Sun Shield by MyChelle (you can get at Whole Foods). Also bloody expensive (even more per ounce than Best on Earth), and it uses a form of zinc oxide that does not turn your skin white. It is thicker. I believe it is SPF20 or so.

mraguirre's recommendations look intriguing to me if you want a higher SPF or water resistance.

mraguirre: what is a "physical" sun screen? Curious.

I too am very cautious at this point, esp as I was fried to a crisp repeatedly as a child through my mid 20's, and have always lived at high altitude. I could be a poster child for high risk for skin cancer based on genetics and lifestyle (and both of my parents have had a lot of cancers removed, and i've already had half a dozen or so), so I don't mess around anymore.

[abejita]

I've pasted an explanation of physical vs. chemical sunscreens below. Many people who have sensitive skin or want to stay away from synthetic chemicals opt for physical sunscreens.

Physical filters include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They work by sitting on top of skin and either reflecting or scattering UV rays. Zinc oxide can block against both UVA and UVB rays, covering the whole spectrum, while titanium dioxide only delivers protection from UVB rays. Both ingredients work well, but have a tendency to leave a white cast on skin. Newer, micronized versions or those that contain nanoparticles appear much more clear on skin.

Chemical filters include a range of ingredients including avobenzone (also known as Parsol 1789), oxybenzone, Tinosorb M, Tinosorb S, Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL amongst others. These agents work by interacting with the skin’s top layer to absorb UV rays and convert them into energy before they can harm skin. Chemical sunscreens tend to use a combination of ingredients to protect against the full spectrum of UV rays. While older chemical filters tended to protect well against UVB rays, they often didn’t deliver much in the way of UVA protection. Newer filters such as Mexoryl and Tinosorb now deliver UVA protection so look for sunscreens containing those. Avobenzone also offers UVA blocking capability, but one problem is that it tends to degrade upon exposure to light. If you are using a sunscreen that contains avobenzone ensure that it is stabilized with an ingredient such as Octocrylene as found in Anthelios sunscreens.

[Catrin]

Skinceuticals has some excellent sunscreens, some of which are all physical...

http://www.skinceuticals.com/_us/_en...g/protect.aspx

Total Block is another good physical sunscreen...
http://www.falleneskincare.com/displ...criteria=12552

I use Nia24 sunscreen daily and I love it. It is a physical sunscreen. The only problem is that it is not waterproof, so I use La Roche Posey when I need some waterproof.

http://www.skin-etc.com/nia24sundapr.html

The Skinseuticals are indeed interesting, and claim that the zinc oxide doesn't turn the skin white as in the past - have you found that to be the case? Also, I note the cost for a 3.5 oz tube of their Sport 40 SPF cream... is this a case where a little goes a long way? How about the Total Block? Curious minds would love to know - thanks!

I note that the BestBloc is less expensive than the other two...though all are expensive.

I am just concerned about all of those chemicals of usual sunscreens, and my skin isn't used to any of them...

[lunacycles]

Zinc oxide can block against both UVA and UVB rays, covering the whole spectrum, while titanium dioxide only delivers protection from UVB rays.

Well now I am confused. BestBloc uses only titanium dioxide as its active ingredient, yet claims protection from both UVB and UVA. Given this info, wondering how that is possible?

[marni]

another thing to think about- especially thosse who have had sun poisoning- the consumpption of artificial sweeteners has been associate with increased sun sensitivity.

I do know that in the case of my daughter and myself it is absolutely the case which is why I have learned to drink lemon water and black coffee and avoid all pre sweetened foods. My daughter drinks something with artifical sweetner, goes out in the sun and ends up with a red and white splotchy wash after 15 minutes.

Just a thought, since artificial sweetners are in everything.

Doesn't mean you shouldn't worry about sunscreen but another factor to consider.

marni

[abejita]

Well now I am confused. BestBloc uses only titanium dioxide as its active ingredient, yet claims protection from both UVB and UVA. Given this info, wondering how that is possible?

So, one thing you have to understand is that there is a UVA/UVB spectrum. Titanium dioxide is very good in the UVB spectrum, but just covers a small portion of the UVA spectrum. Regulations in the US allow manufacturers to say it is broad spectrum. This is why you have to be so careful about picking a sunscreen. Here is part of an article that might explain the titanium dioxide better.

Titanium dioxide is a physical sun blocking agent that work primarily by reflecting/absorbing ultraviolet light. It bocks UVB and short UVA (320-340 nm, a.k.a UVA-2). Titanium dioxide is less effective against long UVA (340-400 nm, a.k.a UVA-1). Hence, in regard to the range of protection, titanium dioxide is inferior to zinc oxide, another popular physical sun block.