What's your fav sunscreen?

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desura

Diamond Member
Mar 22, 2013
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I need a sunscreen, just wondering.

I kind of hate the oily sunscreens, and would prefer one that didn't feel like anything. I don't mind reapplying it more often.
 
D

desura

Diamond Member
Mar 22, 2013
4,627
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101
Imp

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
106
Ombrelle with Mexoryl, which is not sold in US of A for some reason. You can find Mexoryl in Neutrogena, I think.

In general, you have to check your ingredients to see if they block the complete UVA and UVB spectrum. Lots of materials only block a portion of the UBA or UVB spectrum. This table is very useful:

http://sun1.awardspace.com/Sunscreens/sunscreen_ingredients.htm

The most "green" and effective sun block is zinc oxide in NON-nano sized particles -- something about nano particles being bad for your body. All other chemicals have varying risks of giving you tits and cancer on their own, which I mostly ignore except for the worst.

Lot of sunscreens use Avobenzone (Parsol 1789), which for contact lens users like me is known to burn eyes. It doesn't burn right away, but on a hot summer day, the shit slowly flows into your eyes through sweat (and/or absorption?). If you're driving, having burning eyes and contact lenses that make it harder for tears to flush out yours eyes is very very dangerous.

I found a kids titanium dioxide hypoallergenic formula that doesn't make my eyes burn. Unfortunately, it looks pasty white on my skin -- a problem with non-nano titanium dioxide.
 
R

rumpleforeskin

Senior member
Nov 3, 2008
380
13
81
http://www.p20.co.uk/

I used to hate sunscreen before discovering this.
Apply once per day, does not make me sweat and really does work.

Only downside is it will stain the neck of your shirts yellow and its a ah heck to wash out
 
EliteRetard

EliteRetard

Diamond Member
Mar 6, 2006
6,490
1,021
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desura said:
Yeah, this really appeals to me b/c you go straight to the chemical compound and don't get hung up on like the branded product.

So just zinc oxide will work fine? I'm thinking of picking this up then

http://www.amazon.com/ZINC-OXIDE-OIN...rds=zinc+oxide
Click to expand...

Sounds like that is only 20% zinc oxide. For the best protection you want at least 40% to get the best reflection/absorption of UVA/UVB/UVC. There are some concerns over cheap zinc oxide (particles) that are so small they absorb into the skin, and people don't want oxides in them creating free radicals. I've found that typically the highest quality and easiest to obtain is baby rash cream...but I'm sure there are other options you can find/order online for less (what you linked may work, I'm not sure). Typically it's suggested to have 90%+ of the particles above/around 100nm with as few as possible below 30nm (that's about the point they can start absorbing through skin).

There is no government rule or standard for zinc oxide, but either way it should still be healthier than all the toxic chemicals found in regular sunscreen (all of which do absorb into your skin). On top of the fact that for regular sunscreen the SPF numbers are very deceiving. For one they only measure UVB protection not UVA/UVC or any other spectrum, and it must be applied much thicker than anyone uses (to get the rated SPF). SPF 30 is only 3% better than SPF 15 and the higher numbers provide even less benefit. Also even water resistant lotion lasts a maximum of 2 hours, so frequent reapplying is recommended to get the rated SPF.

Edit: I guess I should say, the 20% zinc oxide cream/ointments can still work as a sunscreen...so I guess it depends on how long and how much sun you want. Since I can get 40% that's what I use and recommend, but I'm sure the 20% will still work...just not quite as well. Very multipurpose though, good for sunscreen, rashes (poison ivy/oak), and for chafing.
 
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EliteRetard

EliteRetard

Diamond Member
Mar 6, 2006
6,490
1,021
136
Imp said:
Ombrelle with Mexoryl, which is not sold in US of A for some reason. You can find Mexoryl in Neutrogena, I think.

In general, you have to check your ingredients to see if they block the complete UVA and UVB spectrum. Lots of materials only block a portion of the UBA or UVB spectrum. This table is very useful:

http://sun1.awardspace.com/Sunscreens/sunscreen_ingredients.htm

The most "green" and effective sun block is zinc oxide in NON-nano sized particles -- something about nano particles being bad for your body. All other chemicals have varying risks of giving you tits and cancer on their own, which I mostly ignore except for the worst.

Lot of sunscreens use Avobenzone (Parsol 1789), which for contact lens users like me is known to burn eyes. It doesn't burn right away, but on a hot summer day, the shit slowly flows into your eyes through sweat (and/or absorption?). If you're driving, having burning eyes and contact lenses that make it harder for tears to flush out yours eyes is very very dangerous.

I found a kids titanium dioxide hypoallergenic formula that doesn't make my eyes burn. Unfortunately, it looks pasty white on my skin -- a problem with non-nano titanium dioxide.
Click to expand...

The reason people don't like the nano particle (typically considered anything under 100nm) zinc oxide is because there is a chance the tiny particles will absorb into your skin, and being an oxide will release free radicals into your system (I'm sure you've heard all the talk about anti oxidants yeah? To remove free radicals? That's pretty much the deal here)

Titanium dioxide is less effective than zinc oxide. On top of being a better UV protector getting a good safe product is as easy as picking out some 40% zinc oxide baby cream at your local store. That's why I suggest it, its quick easy to find, safe, and effective.

Edit: I guess I should say, the 20% zinc oxide cream/ointments can still work as a sunscreen...so I guess it depends on how long and how much sun you want. Since I can get 40% that's what I use and recommend, but I'm sure the 20% will still work...just not quite as well. Very multipurpose though, good for sunscreen, rashes (poison ivy/oak), and for chafing.
 
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S

spacelord

Platinum Member
Oct 11, 2002
2,127
0
76
As a die hard boater, I have used lots of sunscreen. I *hate* the spray stuff. My favorite is Coppertone 50 in a white bottle..it might be the Ultraguard line. The online images look different, but they may have changed the packaging. It goes onto the skin nicely and doesn't leave you all pasty. Some store brands are too runny.. some are too pasty.. "No-Ad" I think is tough to put on.. too pasty if I remember correctly. Not a fan of Banana Boat stuff either.
 
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KeithTalent

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
Administrator
Nov 30, 2005
50,231
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116
I think I put some on once, but I hated it and never wore any again. Stuff feels nasty.

KT
 
olds

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,096
771
126
Don't use the stuff. If I wanted cancer from smearing chemicals all over my body I'd just smear chemicals all over my body.
 
PieIsAwesome

PieIsAwesome

Diamond Member
Feb 11, 2007
4,054
1
0
Might be some trial and error.

Physical blocks like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide ones are horrible for me. Always leave a white cast, even the better ones that supposedly don't.

Physical blocks feel heavier, and are not necessarily the best at blocking UVA rays anyways, at least not by themselves. I have very light olive skin, and things absorb differently for everyone, so YMMV.

Anyways, some good ones:

http://www.amazon.com/Roche-Posay-Anthelios-Dermo-pediatrics-Lotion/dp/B003N47350

Extremely high protection (PPD 39), cheap, physical + chemical. Bitch to wash off.


http://www.amazon.com/Eltamd-UV-Physical-SPF-85-Gram/dp/B0012XO2W6

Good enough protection (PPD 8.6), physical only, lighter and less greasy than the above, though still difficult to wash off.


http://www.amazon.com/Eltamd-Clear-SPF-48-Gram-1-7/dp/B002MSN3QQ

Reasonable protection (PPD 5.8), physical + chemical, among lightest, non-greasiest of sunscreens with physical blocks.


In the end I prefer the neutrogena dry touch sunscreens, or the liquid ultra-sheer line. I apply them, and they absorb nicesly. PPD ranges from 4 to 14 depending on the amount of SPF they claim, so good UVA protection. Also photostable unlike most chemical sunscreens out there.

More here:

http://www.skinacea.com/products/sunscreens.html#.UZkcp7UqbQN
 
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Imp

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
106
KeithTalent said:
I think I put some on once, but I hated it and never wore any again. Stuff feels nasty.

KT
Click to expand...

FML - same. I hate putting moisturizer on my skin in small portions, so you can guess how I feel about slathering on sun screen.

I prefer to just stay the hell out of the sun during the day. When I'm out, it's hat + sunglasses + hoody. Unfortunately, it's too damn hot in the summer for my thicker hoodies with larger hoods.
 
IronWing

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
71,882
31,958
136
Safeway's house brand, sport version works pretty well and is cheap. CVS also makes a decent sport version.
 
Dr. Detroit

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
8,384
821
126
Just spent 8 days in Cancun & Puerto Morelos.

Neutrogena sheer dry is fantastic but you can not use that over your entire body - its great for your face and lasts.

Nivea is my favorite but they don't sell it in the states. Coppertone or BananaBoat 60 is what we used for a week. We never burned, applied it every 2hrs and were generally in the sun from 10am - 6pm.

Get a sunblock for your lips as well - Chapstick type tube with SPF 15-40 in it.
 
Imp

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
106
Fmr12B said:
Get a sunblock for your lips as well - Chapstick type tube with SPF 15-40 in it.
Click to expand...

Forgot about that... I found one chaptstick with SPF 5 or 15 and it didn't block the entire spectrum (Burt's Bees). Being paranoid, I started putting regular sunscreen on my lips -- holy shit that tasted terrible. Then I just blew $10 on an Ombrelle stick of lip sunscreen. It has a neutral taste, SPF30 and should be full-spectrum coverage. However, the shit only lasted about a year with moderate use.

P.S. I remember there was something about the formulation of the Coppertone and Banana Boat formulations that turned me off from them. It was either Oxybenzone or Octocrylene (or something) -- they'll give you tits or something.
 
B

BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
I worked in the sun-care industry for 15 years, the best lotions will have zinc-oxide or titanium-dioxide because these are UV blockers, not absorbers. They will cost you a little more but last longer and don't need as frequent re-application..
 
PieIsAwesome

PieIsAwesome

Diamond Member
Feb 11, 2007
4,054
1
0
Imp said:
Forgot about that... I found one chaptstick with SPF 5 or 15 and it didn't block the entire spectrum (Burt's Bees). Being paranoid, I started putting regular sunscreen on my lips -- holy shit that tasted terrible. Then I just blew $10 on an Ombrelle stick of lip sunscreen. It has a neutral taste, SPF30 and should be full-spectrum coverage. However, the shit only lasted about a year with moderate use.

P.S. I remember there was something about the formulation of the Coppertone and Banana Boat formulations that turned me off from them. It was either Oxybenzone or Octocrylene (or something) -- they'll give you tits or something.
Click to expand...

Oxybenzone. The fears are unfounded. Its safe.
 
B

BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
IronWing said:
Safeway's house brand, sport version works pretty well and is cheap. CVS also makes a decent sport version.
Click to expand...

You can use store brands, we used to make several different store brands and they will work just fine, the same 4-5 sunscreen components are the same weather it's Coppertone, Banana-Boat,ect. just be careful if your using an aerosol-based type to not smoke or be near a lit grill ect as the carrier is alcohol and you could turn into a human tiki-tourch really quick..
 
EliteRetard

EliteRetard

Diamond Member
Mar 6, 2006
6,490
1,021
136
PieIsAwesome said:
Might be some trial and error.

Physical blocks like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide ones are horrible for me. Always leave a white cast, even the better ones that supposedly don't.

Physical blocks feel heavier, and are not necessarily the best at blocking UVA rays anyways, at least not by themselves. I have very light olive skin, and things absorb differently for everyone, so YMMV.

Anyways, some good ones:

http://www.amazon.com/Roche-Posay-Anthelios-Dermo-pediatrics-Lotion/dp/B003N47350

Extremely high protection (PPD 39), cheap, physical + chemical. Bitch to wash off.


http://www.amazon.com/Eltamd-UV-Physical-SPF-85-Gram/dp/B0012XO2W6

Good enough protection (PPD 8.6), physical only, lighter and less greasy than the above, though still difficult to wash off.


http://www.amazon.com/Eltamd-Clear-SPF-48-Gram-1-7/dp/B002MSN3QQ

Reasonable protection (PPD 5.8), physical + chemical, among lightest, non-greasiest of sunscreens with physical blocks.


In the end I prefer the neutrogena dry touch sunscreens, or the liquid ultra-sheer line. I apply them, and they absorb nicesly. PPD ranges from 4 to 14 depending on the amount of SPF they claim, so good UVA protection. Also photostable unlike most chemical sunscreens out there.

More here:

http://www.skinacea.com/products/sunscreens.html#.UZkcp7UqbQN
Click to expand...

OH NOES WHITE CAST!

Personally Id rather look a little pale than burn and blister. Also Zinc Oxide is the broadest and best protection against UV including the full spectrum of UVA/UVA2 (longwave) up to 400nm in wavelength. Check some spectrum graphs like this:

Picture8.png


UVC is about 200-280nm (not shown on this chart, but zinc oxide covers that well) UVB is 280-320nm and UVA is 320-340nm. From 340-400nm is UVAII (2) also know as longwave UVA. This shows how a 20% zinc oxide compares to several other sunscreens. Its basically superior to everything. It doesn't wear out or break down over time (most of the UVA chemical stuff doesn't even last an hour) and it doesn't absorb into your skin nearly as much or even at all and it doesn't wash off as easily either so the protection lasts much longer. I do know the particle size and density etc affects the performance of these products so this is not a 100% accurate chart but a relative one. Zinc oxide is known to have a broader coverage of UV protection and covers more UVA than anything else.
 
Murloc

Murloc

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2008
5,382
65
91
I don't remember the name, it's some spray which doesn't feel much oily, there isn't anything less oily than that.
I just use it the first days then I don't need it anymore.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,064
9,458
126
None. I spend a lot of time outside, and build up tolerance. I try to avoid the sun if possible though, and use fabric barriers.
 
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