Any recommendations for sun screen?

[JackieMartling]

I am looking for a suncreen that is very light and inobtrusive feeling for everyday wear, rather than the rather heavy and sticky kinds designed for the beach. I'm leaning toward higher end brands, but that's not a given if there is a supermarket brand that works well in this regard. Oh yes, it has to be at least 15 SPF and fragrance free. I would prefer a spray-on type, but again, this is not absolutely necessary. Any suggestion?

TIA

Nathan

[SupaDongzu]

I use Eucerin, which is a moisturizer with a physical SPF 15. It's odorless and it soaks in nicely. It also squrts out in the tiniest amounts, which spread evenly over the skin.

_________________
"If, as they say, God spanked the town
for being over frisky,
why did He burn the churches down
and save Hotaling's whisky?"
-- San Francisco Earthquake rhyme, 1906

[Coche_y_bondhu]

Hello Nathan,

I, too, had been in search of a suitable sunblock that wasn't greasy or sticky, didn't burn my eyes, and was waterproof/sweatproof. And has a light, fresh scent.

I found it in Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF 45.

It feels clean, weightless, gets absorbed fast and my skin feels soft and smooth, not greasy. Keep in mind this is just a sunblock. If you need a moisturizer as well, especially after the shave, then I would suggest Neutrogena for Men Triple Protect Lotion with SPF20. This is what I use on a daily basis after the shave if I will be leaving the house that day.

Both are inexpensive and can be found at Walmart, Target, Kroger, drugstores, etc.

Hope this helps,

Richard
It Gets Hot Here in Texas!

[fisherc]

This is a subject "near and dear" to me as daily sunscreen is the single best "anti aging" product one can use. Unfortunately, those of us in America are hindered by our own FDA and it's bureaucracy in obtaining the best and most effective products.

First, it is important to note that if you want "true sun protection" you need to be able to block UVA/B/C rays in total (minimally with SPF15 ratings) adn the product must be "photo stable". This can be done one of two ways (physically or chemically). Physical blocks are mineral based (titanium and or zinc) and are usually in lotion form. In the "good old days" these were plagued by a chalky/white tint after application as "micronized" technology was not available. Current generation physical blocks usually use "micronized" versions of titanium and/or zinc oxide to eliminate the "whitening" effect. However, the lotion formulas for these physical blocks is usually a bit heavy and personally I don't like them. A newcomer to physical blocks are "mineral powders" and these are fantastic. They are very effective and wide spectrum, photo stable (meaning they don't break down over time/sun exposure) and light weight. The best one is a product called sunforgettable and is made by http://www.colorescience.com.

The other alternative is a chemical block and the best available are not legally available in the USA. The best use a chemical called Mexoryl (patented by L'Oreal) and the two lines that are the best are Anthelios and Ombrelle. Both are available in Canada to US customers and some US drugstores sell them illegally at very high prices. Again, most of these tend to be "heavy" but one in particular is not (and I have tried 'em all). The SPF30 "spray" from Anthelios is very light weight and quite good. Products from both Anthelios and Ombrelle can be found on many Canadian websites but http://www.feelbest.com/pages/mexoryl.aspx is particularly good and low cost.

Bottom line is if you want "true sun protection" you need a product that in large part has the active ingredient Mexoryl, Titanium or Zinc Oxide. Anything else is short changing yourself.

Chris

[JackieMartling]

Chris, that Sunforgettable might just be the thing I'm looking for. Does it go on in powder form, and thus isn't wet or oily? That would be ideal. I checked out the Colorescience website to see if there's a store in my area that carries it, but their store locator feature wasn't working well. I'll try calling the company tomorrow to see if they can help. If all else fails, I can order it through Amazon, but I need it ASAP and don't really want to wait for delivery.


Nathan

[northadams]

An important topic and some interesting products. The sunforgettable seems like a useful item for those on the go during the work week as well. Chris, just to follow up on Nathan's question judging the size of the tube how long do they last with daily application this time of year?

Max

[fisherc]

Nathan:

Yes, it is a dry powder and is completely weightless. You cannot even detect it. This is one of the reasons why it is so well liked.

I use mine daily as the final step of my morning routine. Unlike chemical blocks that need 30 min to become effective after application this product is immediately active. I also use it on my children (twins, 3.5, boy/girl) daily. Between the three fo us I get about five or six months from a single tube.

Call the company directly. They're quite helpful. I most recently bought my refill from http://www.facetools.com. She ships quick and via USPS Priority which is fast coast to coast compared to UPS or other traditional couriers.

Chris

[JackieMartling]

Chris, thanks. That sounds perfect. The store locater is working now, and it turns out there is a stockist just a few miles from me, and then one a bit further out, but not too far. I'll stop in the close-by one and see if they have some. (I tried calling, but I just get voicemail.) I need it not only for my face, but also my head, since I keep my (balding) hair very closely cropped. The Sunforgettable isn't cheap, but, assuming it lasts as long as you say, I would rather pay for it than wear some goop that makes it so I'd rather not wear any at all.

Nathan

[soulshine]

menscience Ti02 Sunblock SPF30

this is all i will ever use as ALL other sunblocks give me severe breakouts. i wore the menscience everyday while vacationing in mexico & almost all of last summer with no bad skin effects. it is very lihgt on the skin and zero greasy feeling.

s~s

[JackieMartling]

Everybody, thanks for your input, but I took Chris's advice and went with the Sunforgettable powder by ColoreScience. Chris, the next time I'm in your neck of the woods (and I have family that lives in your town, so I'm sure I'll get around there at some point), I'm going to take you out for a drink as a thank you for suggesting Sunforgettable. I was able to pick up a tube/brush combo today, and tried it out. If my experience today is any indication, this stuff is a modern miracle, much like the ball-point pen or sliced bread. When I applied it in earnest, I wasn't even sure it was going on. It is virtually invisible, has absolutely no smell, and I could barely feel it when I touched where I applied it. Only if I really concentrated could I feel the most infinitessimal amount of graininess, and even then it was hard to tell. I was actually afraid I wasn't getting any on me, but I must have, because I rode around for quite a while with the top down in direct sunlight and didn't get burned. (My nose is a little pink, but I think that may be due to not applying it thoroughly in that area. My bald noggin hasn't suffered any, and that's the litmus test.) This is exactly what I've been looking for: effective sunburn protection that doesn't gum me up or make me smell like I should be sunbathing on the beach. Once I get the application technique down, I believe it will prove itself to be worth every penny it cost. Every now and again, I come across a product that truly makes a substantial improvement in my quality of life; I believe this is one of them. What an amazing product. Thank you again for the suggestion.


Nathan

[gruffydd3]

Nathan,

I'm glad to see your confirming good review as I ordered a tube of Sunforgettable yesterday after reading Chris' post.

Rick

[JackieMartling]

Rick, in light of my excessively positive review, I suppose I should try to be balanced and present the cons of the product. Really, there aren't many, and they are minor. The main one is that the powder goes on with a small applicator brush that is about the size of a Wee Scott. The brush is attached directly to the powder container, and the powder filters through the brush from underneath to the tips, where you then brush it on to your skin. The only downside to this is that the small brush doesn't cover a lot of ground. If you were a woman applying it over makeup, it would be fine. If you're trying to cover your face, head, neck and arms, as I did yesterday, it takes a little while. And, as opposed to lotion-based sunscreens where you can feel exactly where you've put them, the Sunforgettable is so difficult to detect, sometimes you can't tell if you've applied it adequately or not. That aside, brushing on is relatively easy - if time consuming - and comfortable. The only other caveat is that if you get the powder on your lips, and then you lick your lips, you'll taste it; it's a bit on the bitter side, and not the most pleasant tasting substance.

Both of these issues are very minor, and do not in any way represent reasons not to get the product, in my opinion. I'm just discussing them in the interest of being a bit more balanced in my review.


Nathan

[fisherc]

Nathan:

Glad you like it. I can tell you I searched high and low for years looking for a sunscreen that was broad spectrum (UVA/B/C) but that did not have the typical "heaviness" of lotion based sunscreens. This product is it !!! I've been using it for about three years now and am never without it. I find that if you apply a bit of pressure to the brush it helps to get the powder out of the bristles and on to the face in a more noticable way. You can then use your fingertips to pat/rub it in. Sunscreen is really an area that you have to do some research on. Effective ingredients are very important and our own FDA does much to confuse the issue for the average consumer. It is without a doubt the single most important part of an "anti aging" regimen and far outweighs the claimed benefits of all the other "anti aging" lotions and potions in the market.

Chris

[northadams]

Chris has a winner again (although that Martin De Candre shaving soap was a bit pricey!!) This stuff is not. If any of you enjoy the CAR A/S then you will understand price wise vs size wise. Large it is not but the wife and I have applied it to both us and the little one's with no dent yet after three days. Chris has done a great service here on the health of one's skin if in fact these 'new' type sunscreens work, which they clearly seem to indeed. Nathan is hooked for sure as well and it will be neat to see what else this Long Island based company produces. You can enjoy that late summer cookout without the grease we all had in the past.

Max

[JackieMartling]

Max,

Long Island? I thought they were in Dana Point, CA.


Nathan

[northadams]

My mistake. Dana Point it is. One of the internet retailers I ordered from was based on Long Island.

Max

[JackieMartling]

Max, the only reason that stuck in my mind is because I used to live in Orange County, and have been to Dana Point many times. Indeed, one of my favorite all-night cafes is right there. So I was pleased to see such a fine product came right from my old stomping grounds.


Nathan