Has anyone experimented with different sunscreen brands? I'm using a cheap, generic brand on my face and neck at work but know there has to be something more natural that gives extreme protection and doesn't clog up pores.

The Shade
Sombreros
Long sleeve shirts

European sunscreen is supposedly the best in the world. It's banned in the US because it's too effective or blocks too many rays or something. I overheard some hipsters discussing it on the plane ride back to the states. One could possibly have it shipped here.

More important than the brand is what the sunscreen CONTAINS

Your sunscreen should have one of the following at least:

Zinc oxide
Titanium dioxide
Avobenzone

These block both UVa and UVb rays. SPF refers only to UVb rays while you need protection from both.

As for brands, neutrogena might be best in terms of quality for cost

^the above are PHYSICAL screens...they feel like any other cream, but actually work by sitting on the skin and not penetrating it

Very safe and also meant for people with allergies-intolerance to chemical sunscreens

I used Neutrogena for sensitive skin, for my face and it didn't cause a breakout.

European factor 50 seems to be the same stuff regardless of brand. Putting sunscreen on my face and neck are part of my morning routine.

Quote: (08-11-2013 08:48 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

I used Neutrogena for sensitive skin, for my face and it didn't cause a breakout.

Seconded, I really like Neutrogena, expensive but I have yet to find something better. On a budget use Neutrogena for your face and a cheaper brand for everywhere else.

I find Dermalogica's SPF 50 to be great for mixing up with your moisturizer. Just a dash of this in the mix and it doesn't cause any breakouts. Simple and easy.

http://www.amazon.com/Dermalogica-Solar-...nscreen+50

Also: I think a lot of people underestimate the power of a good sunscreen. It is by far the cheapest anti-aging product you will ever find. I just put it on every day as you still get those rays through the sky on a cloudy day.

Not quite answering your question but I've been thinking recently about if i should be getting sun exposure or not.

I mean, I am quite pale as it is and for aesthetic purposes a tan would look nice, but then again I can just tell from my skin type (very sensitive) that if I tan now, I will just wrinkle up loads when I'm older (and i'm not even talking as an old grandad - I mean in under 10 years).

After having lived in China I now walk around SE Asia carrying an umbrella. Sure, I might look like a faggot but it avoids putting chemicals on you and it's the most effective sun screen there is. Plus it stops shit dripping on your head which is a common problem here.

Anyone who makes fun of me, well I'll just tell them to go to China then Australia and see which country's people have the best skin.

Quote: (08-11-2013 10:59 PM)TopPanda Wrote:  

After having lived in China I now walk around SE Asia carrying an umbrella. Sure, I might look like a faggot but it avoids putting chemicals on you and it's the most effective sun screen there is. Plus it stops shit dripping on your head which is a common problem here.

Anyone who makes fun of me, well I'll just tell them to go to China then Australia and see which country's people have the best skin.

I think to each his own regarding sunscreens; however, i tend to agree with TP, in that I generally avoid using sunscreens and these chemicals that are made by companies that probably want to kill us or at least get us to keep purchasing their crappy products that we do not need... anyhow, b/c it is unnatural to be wearing chemicals on our bodies and we need to get a certain amount of sunlight on a regular basis to help our bodies to process vitamin D and cholesterol - actually, from my understanding, vitamin D is a form of cholesterol.

Certainly, if you are light skinned you do not want to overdo your sun exposure, but if you are getting less than an hour of direct sunlight a day, that should not be too much... and maybe even an hour a day of direct sunlight for a light-skinned person would be a good thing.... a dark-skinned person, on the other hand, probably could easily tolerate more than an hour a day of direct sunlight... and maybe not getting the direct sunlight on a regular basis would be worse than wearing sunscreens .. My understanding also is that getting sun is a better preventative of cancer than staying out of the sun.. and all this crap about the sun causing cancer is propaganda to make us do stupid things regarding our health and to take drugs, such as sunscreens... some of those sunscreens screen out the good rays... aren't the UVa rays the good ones and UVb rays the bad ones?

Some of the mechanisms of the sunscreens are not clear, and what the frick they are blocking is unclear, and I would not want to put on that crap on my skin and block the wrong rays. You cannot really trust the pharmeceutical companies to tell you what the mechanism of the blocking is within their creams.. and in that respect... let's just go raw dawg in regard to the sun... that's my proposal. On the other hand, if you want to use sunscreen, all the power to you.. just don't try to put any on me... b/c i dont wanna be kilt..... by big pharma..... he he he..

Quote: (08-11-2013 10:59 PM)TopPanda Wrote:  

After having lived in China I now walk around SE Asia carrying an umbrella.

Do you have any tips on how to choose a good umbrella for the sun? I used to walk around with an umbrella but the umbrellas I've bought are made to be waterproof rather than give proper shade and I still managed to get sunburnt under an umbrella.

Quote: (08-12-2013 08:37 AM)Thomas the Rhymer Wrote:  

Quote: (08-11-2013 10:59 PM)TopPanda Wrote:  

After having lived in China I now walk around SE Asia carrying an umbrella.

Do you have any tips on how to choose a good umbrella for the sun? I used to walk around with an umbrella but the umbrellas I've bought are made to be waterproof rather than give proper shade and I still managed to get sunburnt under an umbrella.

Actually, the wrong umbrella could be a problem as well b/c it may block the good UVa rays and not block the bad UVb rays - the same is true when you get sunlight through a window, apparently.

Sunscreen is for pussies yo!

That burn will turn to bronze!!!!

I'm pale like a ghost so lots of experience with this...

Sunscreen tips:
-apply every 2 hours
-don't use old or expired sunscreen
-start hydrating and moisturizing immediately if you get burned, don't wait until you start itching or peeling or you will pay the price, vitamin e oil is the best but aloe vera without a lot of additives also works

This is a good article http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/16/health/sun...?hpt=hp_c2
Summary
-use lotions not sprays
-use spf 15 minimum, spf 50 maximum
-make sure labels list UVA and UVB or "broad spectrum protection"
-try to avoid products with oxybenzone and retinyl palminate

Quote: (08-12-2013 08:23 AM)JayJuanGee Wrote:  

Quote: (08-11-2013 10:59 PM)TopPanda Wrote:  

After having lived in China I now walk around SE Asia carrying an umbrella. Sure, I might look like a faggot but it avoids putting chemicals on you and it's the most effective sun screen there is. Plus it stops shit dripping on your head which is a common problem here.

Anyone who makes fun of me, well I'll just tell them to go to China then Australia and see which country's people have the best skin.

I think to each his own regarding sunscreens; however, i tend to agree with TP, in that I generally avoid using sunscreens and these chemicals that are made by companies that probably want to kill us or at least get us to keep purchasing their crappy products that we do not need... anyhow, b/c it is unnatural to be wearing chemicals on our bodies and we need to get a certain amount of sunlight on a regular basis to help our bodies to process vitamin D and cholesterol - actually, from my understanding, vitamin D is a form of cholesterol.

Certainly, if you are light skinned you do not want to overdo your sun exposure, but if you are getting less than an hour of direct sunlight a day, that should not be too much... and maybe even an hour a day of direct sunlight for a light-skinned person would be a good thing.... a dark-skinned person, on the other hand, probably could easily tolerate more than an hour a day of direct sunlight... and maybe not getting the direct sunlight on a regular basis would be worse than wearing sunscreens .. My understanding also is that getting sun is a better preventative of cancer than staying out of the sun.. and all this crap about the sun causing cancer is propaganda to make us do stupid things regarding our health and to take drugs, such as sunscreens... some of those sunscreens screen out the good rays... aren't the UVa rays the good ones and UVb rays the bad ones?

Some of the mechanisms of the sunscreens are not clear, and what the frick they are blocking is unclear, and I would not want to put on that crap on my skin and block the wrong rays. You cannot really trust the pharmeceutical companies to tell you what the mechanism of the blocking is within their creams.. and in that respect... let's just go raw dawg in regard to the sun... that's my proposal. On the other hand, if you want to use sunscreen, all the power to you.. just don't try to put any on me... b/c i dont wanna be kilt..... by big pharma..... he he he..

Dude, seriously, start read popular science books. Your lack of scientific knowledge is scary.

1. Vitamin D is a hormone, not cholesterol (although it is synthesized from cholesterol)
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/wh...-work.html

2. Titanium Oxide for example absorbs UV light. It's honestly not a big pharma secret, but just some basic science:
- Everything absorbs, reflects and transmits light of different frequencies differently
- Find the stuff that absorbs UV light and doesn't kill people: 'secret' ingredient of sunscreens
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/sunscreen.html

Quote: (08-12-2013 06:08 PM)Genghis Khan Wrote:  

Dude, seriously, start read popular science books. Your lack of scientific knowledge is scary.

1. Vitamin D is a hormone, not cholesterol (although it is synthesized from cholesterol)
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/wh...-work.html

2. Titanium Oxide for example absorbs UV light. It's honestly not a big pharma secret, but just some basic science:
- Everything absorbs, reflects and transmits light of different frequencies differently
- Find the stuff that absorbs UV light and doesn't kill people: 'secret' ingredient of sunscreens
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/sunscreen.html

GK - I cannot see any reason to argue about some of the points that I made - especially, the main point that i was attempting to make was about the misleading nature of big industries, whether that misleading comes through big pharma, the food industry, health care industries, the insurance companies or some other variant that is making money off of the turmoil and confusion and pseudo-science (or even confusing the meaning of real science). Your response to me assumes that I do not have any sources for what I am saying. I take much of the so called science in the mainstream (especially if it is being funded by big industries) with a grain of salt, though I am open to learning more about what the outcomes of the studies establish and the certainties of such claims, and especially, if I trust the source(s) or I can look at how the study was conducted to make sure that the findings are not being misreported.

You are likely correct with your assertion that I spoke fairly loosely and broadly about vitamin D, but my point was not to get caught up in any technical arguments but to refer to a cholesterol relationship with vitamin D in that cholesterol is also denigrated and propagandized in western society in very many inappropriate and inaccurate ways. We need cholesterol to live, even though, we are sold statins, which in many studies are not scientifically proven to be beneficial.. .and we are mislead about many of the studies that supposedly assert that we should be taking statins.

Similar kinds of pseudo science can be quoted regarding a large number of productions, and in any event, it is my belief that an hour in the sun per day per person is not going to harm anyone, even the most fair complexion of people (except possibly the rare exception of some medical condition(s) that some rare people may have). There is likely more of a concern when spending more time in the sun... and the lighter the complexion... and those choices about whether to stay in the sun and to be "protected" may become more complicated choices. Phil81 made some good recommendations regarding this - though I would even take some of those recommendations with a grain of salt.

In fact, there is likely some benefits to keeping a variety of man-made products off of your skin,and i am not completely clear in my mind, either, about when that is and which products to keep off my skin and which products not to ingest.... The human body can certainly take a lot of abuse and still keep functioning.. And, in this regard, some people can tolerate more abuse than others without suffering deleterious effects..

These days, personally, and when in doubt, I error on the side of all-natural, and try not to get too caught up with the marketing propaganda that frequently, many years after the fact, we find out was misleading to say the least and sometimes outright deceptive..... and this includes any product that you buy that you put in or on your body...

I would think that on this forum, we should be able to have different opinions about these kinds of health / lifestyle matters without gratuitous denigrations... if you want to put titaniam oxide or some other "for sale" items on your body, then all the more power to you. That is your choice. I am going to take the application of various man made products with a grain of salt... or maybe a grain of dirt would be better... I would be more convinced if you had told me to roll around in the mud before going into the sun, but that is just me with my skepticisms of marketing.

So is Neutrogena a good brand to go with? What about the European ones?

Some of the active ingredients in sunscreen absorb the UV energy by making hydroxyl radical, a carcinogen. Hats, long sleeves, balaclavas, kaffiyehs, wetsuit liners at the beach are better.

Yeah, we all want to show off our muscles.

How muscular can you be on chemo? This stuff is no joke.

Very excellent natural sunscreen.

http://www.sunumbra.com

I feel like I learned something about this subject last month. My entire life, I never had any problems with sun and have an olive-colored complexion. But recently I spent way too much unprotected time in the sun in Brazil and the skin on my forehead began to show some spots of pigmentation discoloration. My own fault. So, I was not too happy about this and went to see a dermatologist about it about 3 weeks ago and she really educated me. It counts as a "specialist" for health insurance purposes, so you got to spring $50 for the copay (United Healthcare).
To clear up the pigmentation discoloration, she prescribed something called Tri-Luma Cream. It's a bleaching agent composed of fluocinolone acetonide, hydroquinone, and tretinoin. Got to apply it every night for a month or so. Since this type of problem is not considered a "medical" problem, it's not covered by health insurance. And the little tube of cream costs $120. Damn.
Regarding sunscreens, she said there are two categories: chemical sunscreens, and mineral ones. The mineral ones have either zinc or titanium oxide as the important components. They work as "reflective" agents: they reflect the suns rays. The chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the suns rays (not reflecting them) and channeling them off as heat.
I was told that both chemical and mineral sunscreens are equally effective, and it's just a matter of preference which ones you want to use.
I prefer the chemical ones, since the ones with zinc or titanium oxide leave a white-looking patina on my skin.
From what I was told, as long as the SPF levels are 35 or higher, you are good to go. In the summer, level 50 would be better, and in the winter you can go down to 35 if needed.
So, from what I understand, it doesn't really matter which brand you use, as long as the SPF levels are appropriate. Some have fragrance, some don't.
Anyway, I have to go back to dermatologist in a couple weeks...this Tri-Luma cream seems to be working on getting the pigmentation problem under control, but we'll see.
What I learned from all this is how important skin care is. I never spent any time or attention to the sun's affect on my skin my entire life, and out of nowhere this problem developed. So, learn from my mistakes. Use sunscreen ALL THE TIME. It will keep you looking young and prevent any problems.

Quote: (08-11-2013 05:12 PM)Lufty Wrote:  

Quote: (08-11-2013 08:48 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

I used Neutrogena for sensitive skin, for my face and it didn't cause a breakout.

Seconded, I really like Neutrogena, expensive but I have yet to find something better. On a budget use Neutrogena for your face and a cheaper brand for everywhere else.

Is the sensitive kind better on the skin than the regular Neutrogena sunscreen?

I have yet to find a decent sunscreen in Brasil,it is no joke when i say i do better buying those in Paraguay

Go for No-Ad SPF 45, Consumer Reports' pick. Not greasy either. And cheap.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/25/...s-20110525
http://www.walmart.com/ip/NO-AD-SPF-45-S...z/12548310