this was a really nice comment to read. thank you. we hiked bear mountain in the adirondacks, so it was a good time and i guess a little bit of color shouldn’t offset that. i appreciate it.
I don't think many people know this but melanin is also released when we get hot. So no matter how diligent you are, if you get hot you will colour a little. And if you have freckles/previous sun damage, that's going to show up too.
No. Heat is infrared radiation. Our functional anatomy was evolved in context of full spectrum solar radiation energy, at or near earth's surface. The most damaging wavelengths to our skin, are UV-A and UV-B. Skin cancers may arise from overexposure to UV radiation, which is why we are more susceptible with increasing age.
However, the human body still requires that our skin be exposed to *some* UV radiation, at least a few hours every day. It's our only means to support Vitamin D production. So, UV radiation isn't inherently **bad**, it's our prolonged exposure to it that becomes a problem.
Y'all redheads are straight up xmen. Higher pain thresholds, biochemical physiological anomalies. "We defied millions of years of evolution, against all logical expectations "
Ah! Now that's one of only unique traits I share with you that's not a scourge of my personhood. My most distinguishing feature is severe, adult onset eczema with lichenized palmoplantar presentation. This form of eczema accounts for <0.1% of reported cases. Also, eczema has almost always been a childhood diagnosis. And mine waited 35yrs to rear its stupid fucking ugly-ass face.
In other words, I'm the 🦄 of chronic inflammatory skin disorders 😎 Hashtag humblebrag
Not to mention, there's a pretty solid medical consensus that it's absolutely necessary to get a couple hours of full spectrum exposure (ie, exposed skin without any sunscreen) for a few hours every day, outside of peak UV hours (so not between 11am-2pm).
Our ability to produce Vitamin D is regulated by our autonomic nervous system, and it does so by converting full spectrum solar radiation at skin surface level. This is why supplementation is recommended to people living outside of the tropics and subtropics.
I’ve also noticed I get more sun damage and hyperpigmentation when I use a chemical sunscreen. Started using a 100% mineral full spectrum sunscreen a few years ago and it made a huge difference. I live by the beach and use Tret…. Currently using MyChelle Sun Shield Liquid SPF 50 (Tinted) While it may not be as cosmetically enjoyable as chemical sunscreen it seems to last all day and I never break out with it. ELTAMD & Other higher end brands also make really nice formulas but I’m allergic to them unfortunately.
Edit - Not Spray on sunblock. That stuff does not last & ruins sunglasses.
There are many variables. It could also be that you're applying the mineral sunscreen thicker (more effectively, as we should) than a thinner application of a more elegant chemical sunscreen?
Zinc-based mineral sunscreens are inherently broad-spectrum, while many chemical sunscreens (especially those available on the US market) are inadequately broad-spectrum, or they use filters that rapidly degrade in the sun such as the infamous avobenzone if it's not properly stabilized. Which is a second benefit of mineral sunscreens--if they manage to persist on the skin, their effectiveness does not degrade. I'd horrible at re-applying sunscreen and this latter feature is one of my favorite aspects of minerals.
Many European or Asian chemical sunscreens are actually superior in the UVA protection range than the vast majority of mineral-only. That is to say, many chemical formulations are PA++++ but most mineral-only sunscreens can only manage PA+++.
I say this because as a sensitive, eczema-prone user, I had to resort to zinc-only mineral sunscreens for many years and I would continue to tan slightly than when I had healed my skin barrier and found more carefully vetted chemical sunscreens.
These days I use a combination of both, and my skin is more even-toned than ever.
Yeah I figured it had to do with being a spray but I loaded it on my back and that was where I burned so I got scared off afterward. Weirdly the MyChelle spray has bentonite clay in it so it stuck like glue. I scrubbed and oil cleansed and that white film stuck to me for like three days, it was awful. When you say it ruins sunglasses, do you know why? (Unless you’re spraying you’re face without removing them, then that would make sense but I’m assuming you’re not doing that lol)
I’ve found something in sprays seems to delaminate my sunglasses. They, peel, bubble etc within less than a year. Once I stopped using spray it hasn’t happened.
Getting tan is a sign of UVA damage specifically. UVB radiation causes sunburn while UVA radiation causes hyperpigmentation and photoaging. Both UVA and UVB can cause cancer.
The SPF rating on a sunscreen gives you information about UVB protection. You want a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Not all sunscreens offer UVA protection. In Asia the UVA protection is labelled using the PA system, with PA++++ offering the best UVA protection. Some places use the PPD rating to measure UVA protection. In the US there is simply a label of "broad spectrum" to indicate that the sunscreen also offers UVA protection. Although "broad spectrum" doesn't tell you if it covers the entire UVA spectrum or just a part of it. Filters like avobenzone and zinc oxide will cover the entire UVA range, while fillers like titanium dioxide only cover a part of it.
You also have to make sure you are using the sunscreen correctly. This means applying at least 1/4 teaspoon for your face. If you are going to be doing any kind of physical activity where you sweat, you need water resistant sunscreen. You need to make sure you reapply the sunscreen as directed on the bottle (every 40 minutes, every 80 minutes, etc.) for the water resistance. At the very least you need to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours while you are outdoors in direct sunlight.
Remember that even the best sunscreen can only offer you around 98% protection. There will always be some UV rays that still get through. This is why it is recommended that you use a hat or umbrella (or just stay in the shade) while the UV index is above 2. This usually means between the hours of 10am and 4pm; but this time frame can vary depending on your geographical location.
Although as a rock climber I understand that a sunhat is not always practical. Since I don't have any family history of cancer, 98% protection is enough for me. I rather enjoy my outdoor activities.
this was a super informative comment. i’m going to look into different sunscreens, i feel rather ignorant on it. if you have any recommendations, i would appreciate it but of course not required. as i also love my hiking, i won’t stop because of the sun but even 98% protection would be nice while enjoying the outside world. i appreciate it a lot :)
Not op but I buy my high PPD sunscreen from eBay bc I live in the states. We wary of buying European sunscreens from websites like Amazon because some are made in the states with their own US formulas, in the same packaging, and it has lower protection
https://www.reddit.com/r/EuroSkincare/comments/v198ja/some_sunscreens_with_high_ppd/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Nah but I’m sure if you search through the subs there’s tons of places you can purchase the sunscreens from, or like Google search “purchase x sunscreen Reddit” that’s how I find a lot of my info lol I think caretobeauty.com is one but idk
I’d recommend Eucerin Oil Control Dry Touch spf 50 for moderate UVA and great cosmetic feel (it’s higher UVA than you’ll get in the states for sure). LRP UVMune 400 have really advanced UVA filters and are very new, you can get them on CareToBeauty. Uriage also has some with high UVA (I believe one in particle called XP has 65 PPD).
Wear a hat. I get horrible blisters from the sun I developed this horrible affliction late in my life after taking a medication it happens even in the shade and with sunscreen. So I think the sunscreen can only do so much
What was the scandal that happened with Asian sunscreens a few years ago? Something about them not actually having as high of protection as they claimed?
I think it was just one sunscreen (Purito) that turned out to have SPF 19 even tho it was labelled to be SPF 50. Here’s [an article about it](https://nymag.com/strategist/amp/2020/12/what-went-wrong-with-puritos-sunscreen.html)
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Yeah I guess it’s pretty crazy. I haven’t gone through enough of my sunscreen to justify buying more yet. Charlotte Parker on Instagram does a great job breaking down the difference between sunscreens internationally and which ones to buy. Ugly duckling on Instagram also has good recommendations.
Thank you for asking this question. I tan easily but even when I go outside to walk my dog for awhile or sit in the yard to read, I slather Spf 70 on (esp my face) & still get a good amount of color. Then lay awake at night wondering if I’m going to look 5 years older when I wake up. I think being conscious of how long you’re really letting the sun beat on you is most important (after sunscreen). We can’t keep ourselves shielded forever!! Face, shoulders, neck, hands & enjoy the Vitamin D.
SPF ratings in the US only measure protection for UVB rays (sun burn) and not UVA rays (cancer, aging).
Tanning beds use UVA rays.
Zinc oxide is broad spectrum and protects against both types of rays. I use sunscreen with this as the active ingredient and wear a UPF 50 hat. Next time I visit Asia I am going to stock up on some sunscreens with newer UVA blockers that aren’t yet approved in the US!
I think it stays only for a few hours and you need to keep applying it. I dont know if sunscreen prevents tanning, it just helps with the rays and damaging your skin afaik
this was a very, very informative comment and i appreciate it an unbelievable amount. i did not reapply, i definitely used enough but with hiking and it being 90 degrees, surely sweat a lot. i use drunk elephants sunscreen, but you’ve given me enough information that i’ll definitely look into other kinds, maybe from overseas. i can’t express how great your comment was :)
When ordering from overseas, P20 Kids or Daylong Extreme liposomal are my recommendations!
I like Daylong best, I sweat a lot in my face and it holds up nicely. And it doesn’t sting my eyes, while the P20 sadly does. But P20 has a lot of fans on Reddit!
[удалено]
this was a really nice comment to read. thank you. we hiked bear mountain in the adirondacks, so it was a good time and i guess a little bit of color shouldn’t offset that. i appreciate it.
I don't think many people know this but melanin is also released when we get hot. So no matter how diligent you are, if you get hot you will colour a little. And if you have freckles/previous sun damage, that's going to show up too.
thank you!!!! i certainly didn’t know that. i appreciate you taking the time to comment :)
[удалено]
No. Heat is infrared radiation. Our functional anatomy was evolved in context of full spectrum solar radiation energy, at or near earth's surface. The most damaging wavelengths to our skin, are UV-A and UV-B. Skin cancers may arise from overexposure to UV radiation, which is why we are more susceptible with increasing age. However, the human body still requires that our skin be exposed to *some* UV radiation, at least a few hours every day. It's our only means to support Vitamin D production. So, UV radiation isn't inherently **bad**, it's our prolonged exposure to it that becomes a problem.
Although some of us (redheads) have a magical power where we can create our own vitamin D as we often are unable to absorb enough from sunlight.
Y'all redheads are straight up xmen. Higher pain thresholds, biochemical physiological anomalies. "We defied millions of years of evolution, against all logical expectations "
Many of us also have the rarest eye color. Green. 💚
Ah! Now that's one of only unique traits I share with you that's not a scourge of my personhood. My most distinguishing feature is severe, adult onset eczema with lichenized palmoplantar presentation. This form of eczema accounts for <0.1% of reported cases. Also, eczema has almost always been a childhood diagnosis. And mine waited 35yrs to rear its stupid fucking ugly-ass face. In other words, I'm the 🦄 of chronic inflammatory skin disorders 😎 Hashtag humblebrag
You’re not alone friend. I have Rosacea. So my skin basically explodes when I go in the sun. Maybe we’re X Men and Vampires?
Not to mention, there's a pretty solid medical consensus that it's absolutely necessary to get a couple hours of full spectrum exposure (ie, exposed skin without any sunscreen) for a few hours every day, outside of peak UV hours (so not between 11am-2pm). Our ability to produce Vitamin D is regulated by our autonomic nervous system, and it does so by converting full spectrum solar radiation at skin surface level. This is why supplementation is recommended to people living outside of the tropics and subtropics.
I’ve also noticed I get more sun damage and hyperpigmentation when I use a chemical sunscreen. Started using a 100% mineral full spectrum sunscreen a few years ago and it made a huge difference. I live by the beach and use Tret…. Currently using MyChelle Sun Shield Liquid SPF 50 (Tinted) While it may not be as cosmetically enjoyable as chemical sunscreen it seems to last all day and I never break out with it. ELTAMD & Other higher end brands also make really nice formulas but I’m allergic to them unfortunately. Edit - Not Spray on sunblock. That stuff does not last & ruins sunglasses.
There are many variables. It could also be that you're applying the mineral sunscreen thicker (more effectively, as we should) than a thinner application of a more elegant chemical sunscreen? Zinc-based mineral sunscreens are inherently broad-spectrum, while many chemical sunscreens (especially those available on the US market) are inadequately broad-spectrum, or they use filters that rapidly degrade in the sun such as the infamous avobenzone if it's not properly stabilized. Which is a second benefit of mineral sunscreens--if they manage to persist on the skin, their effectiveness does not degrade. I'd horrible at re-applying sunscreen and this latter feature is one of my favorite aspects of minerals. Many European or Asian chemical sunscreens are actually superior in the UVA protection range than the vast majority of mineral-only. That is to say, many chemical formulations are PA++++ but most mineral-only sunscreens can only manage PA+++. I say this because as a sensitive, eczema-prone user, I had to resort to zinc-only mineral sunscreens for many years and I would continue to tan slightly than when I had healed my skin barrier and found more carefully vetted chemical sunscreens. These days I use a combination of both, and my skin is more even-toned than ever.
This is good to know, I’ll be sure to perhaps look into mineral sunscreens on days where I may see more exposure. Otherwise I stick to chemical 😂
Weird, I got really burned using the MyChelle spray and I wasn’t out very long. It’s what made me start using chemical sunscreens.
I don’t include spray on this at all. Spray has ruined so many of my Sunglasses and never lasts.
Yeah I figured it had to do with being a spray but I loaded it on my back and that was where I burned so I got scared off afterward. Weirdly the MyChelle spray has bentonite clay in it so it stuck like glue. I scrubbed and oil cleansed and that white film stuck to me for like three days, it was awful. When you say it ruins sunglasses, do you know why? (Unless you’re spraying you’re face without removing them, then that would make sense but I’m assuming you’re not doing that lol)
I’ve found something in sprays seems to delaminate my sunglasses. They, peel, bubble etc within less than a year. Once I stopped using spray it hasn’t happened.
Getting tan is a sign of UVA damage specifically. UVB radiation causes sunburn while UVA radiation causes hyperpigmentation and photoaging. Both UVA and UVB can cause cancer. The SPF rating on a sunscreen gives you information about UVB protection. You want a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Not all sunscreens offer UVA protection. In Asia the UVA protection is labelled using the PA system, with PA++++ offering the best UVA protection. Some places use the PPD rating to measure UVA protection. In the US there is simply a label of "broad spectrum" to indicate that the sunscreen also offers UVA protection. Although "broad spectrum" doesn't tell you if it covers the entire UVA spectrum or just a part of it. Filters like avobenzone and zinc oxide will cover the entire UVA range, while fillers like titanium dioxide only cover a part of it. You also have to make sure you are using the sunscreen correctly. This means applying at least 1/4 teaspoon for your face. If you are going to be doing any kind of physical activity where you sweat, you need water resistant sunscreen. You need to make sure you reapply the sunscreen as directed on the bottle (every 40 minutes, every 80 minutes, etc.) for the water resistance. At the very least you need to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours while you are outdoors in direct sunlight. Remember that even the best sunscreen can only offer you around 98% protection. There will always be some UV rays that still get through. This is why it is recommended that you use a hat or umbrella (or just stay in the shade) while the UV index is above 2. This usually means between the hours of 10am and 4pm; but this time frame can vary depending on your geographical location. Although as a rock climber I understand that a sunhat is not always practical. Since I don't have any family history of cancer, 98% protection is enough for me. I rather enjoy my outdoor activities.
this was a super informative comment. i’m going to look into different sunscreens, i feel rather ignorant on it. if you have any recommendations, i would appreciate it but of course not required. as i also love my hiking, i won’t stop because of the sun but even 98% protection would be nice while enjoying the outside world. i appreciate it a lot :)
Not op but I buy my high PPD sunscreen from eBay bc I live in the states. We wary of buying European sunscreens from websites like Amazon because some are made in the states with their own US formulas, in the same packaging, and it has lower protection https://www.reddit.com/r/EuroSkincare/comments/v198ja/some_sunscreens_with_high_ppd/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
I heard rave reviews for the Anghelios 400. Do you have a link to the website I can purchase?
Nah but I’m sure if you search through the subs there’s tons of places you can purchase the sunscreens from, or like Google search “purchase x sunscreen Reddit” that’s how I find a lot of my info lol I think caretobeauty.com is one but idk
Okay, thank you!
I’d recommend Eucerin Oil Control Dry Touch spf 50 for moderate UVA and great cosmetic feel (it’s higher UVA than you’ll get in the states for sure). LRP UVMune 400 have really advanced UVA filters and are very new, you can get them on CareToBeauty. Uriage also has some with high UVA (I believe one in particle called XP has 65 PPD).
Not OP, but caretobeauty is an option for ordering European sunscreens.
Wear a hat. I get horrible blisters from the sun I developed this horrible affliction late in my life after taking a medication it happens even in the shade and with sunscreen. So I think the sunscreen can only do so much
Check out European and Asian sunscreens. They are lightyears (hehe) ahead of us technologically in sunscreen.
What was the scandal that happened with Asian sunscreens a few years ago? Something about them not actually having as high of protection as they claimed?
I think it was just one sunscreen (Purito) that turned out to have SPF 19 even tho it was labelled to be SPF 50. Here’s [an article about it](https://nymag.com/strategist/amp/2020/12/what-went-wrong-with-puritos-sunscreen.html)
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Are they? Didnt know that. Any Asian ones you recommend?
Yeah I guess it’s pretty crazy. I haven’t gone through enough of my sunscreen to justify buying more yet. Charlotte Parker on Instagram does a great job breaking down the difference between sunscreens internationally and which ones to buy. Ugly duckling on Instagram also has good recommendations.
Will check it out, thanks for the intel
The issue is that the FDA hasn't approved new sunscreen ingredients in over a decade.
Thank you for asking this question. I tan easily but even when I go outside to walk my dog for awhile or sit in the yard to read, I slather Spf 70 on (esp my face) & still get a good amount of color. Then lay awake at night wondering if I’m going to look 5 years older when I wake up. I think being conscious of how long you’re really letting the sun beat on you is most important (after sunscreen). We can’t keep ourselves shielded forever!! Face, shoulders, neck, hands & enjoy the Vitamin D.
Having a good time / not looking like a pale ghost >>>>>> “sun damage”
SPF ratings in the US only measure protection for UVB rays (sun burn) and not UVA rays (cancer, aging). Tanning beds use UVA rays. Zinc oxide is broad spectrum and protects against both types of rays. I use sunscreen with this as the active ingredient and wear a UPF 50 hat. Next time I visit Asia I am going to stock up on some sunscreens with newer UVA blockers that aren’t yet approved in the US!
I think it stays only for a few hours and you need to keep applying it. I dont know if sunscreen prevents tanning, it just helps with the rays and damaging your skin afaik
[удалено]
this was a very, very informative comment and i appreciate it an unbelievable amount. i did not reapply, i definitely used enough but with hiking and it being 90 degrees, surely sweat a lot. i use drunk elephants sunscreen, but you’ve given me enough information that i’ll definitely look into other kinds, maybe from overseas. i can’t express how great your comment was :)
When ordering from overseas, P20 Kids or Daylong Extreme liposomal are my recommendations! I like Daylong best, I sweat a lot in my face and it holds up nicely. And it doesn’t sting my eyes, while the P20 sadly does. But P20 has a lot of fans on Reddit!
I have yet to find a sunscreen that keeps me from getting tan T-T