Sunscreen question

[pjlippert]

Hi all,

As I've mentioned many times before, we live up at about 8000feet so the sun is extra hot & damaging. We use SPF 50 generally and reapply a lot! The info on the higher SPFs between 70-100 is all over the map on the internet.

What have you heard? Is it really THAT much more effective or just a clever marketing ploy to charge more for sunscreen?

Thanks!
Pam

 

[hula_girl]

I don't remember where I read this, but I heard a long time ago that anything over SPF 30 is pointless and doesn't really do anything more than the 30. Don't know if it's true or not.

Shelby

 

[JeanneMarie]

I think you are better off paying attention to reapplying frequently, than getting way up there in the 50+ SPF range. It's true... after a certain point, you aren't getting more protection.

If you are sweating a lot, be sure to reapply because unless it's "rub proof" sunscreen, it won't matter what the SPF is.

 

[handels]

I live at 7500 feet and am very fair. I wear SPF 100 every day and reapply often as well.

I do this because while its true that the higher numbers don't give additional incremental protection, it gives you more wiggle room.

It's almost impossible to wear the amount of sunscreen that is necessary to get the level of protection stated on the bottle. Wearing a higher SPF provides a more dense concentration of the active ingredients within the lotion so you have a bit better protection while still using a reasonable amount. I do put on a healthy dose and let it sink in over time but I think you would be pasty white if you used the amount they do for testing.

I have definitely seen a difference since I switched from 50 to 85. I used to get color with 50 just going for a short walk to run an errand. I can be out most of the day with 85 and have no color. Haven't noticed any difference with 100 but I'm assuming it gives a bit more wiggle room as well. Going up in spf used to sting on my face but I've noticed that I always get used to it in a week or two (it stops stinging not that I just get used to it stinging).

Hope that helps!

 

[kathryn]

I've read that SPFs over 25-30 don't offer that much more protection but DO contain a lot more chemicals, which in themselves can be hazardous to ones health.

An alternative (or adjunct) to sunscreen is clothing with built-in protection.

 

[lina9496]

Sunscreen

There's a definite difference between SPF 30 and higher SPFs. Although I try to cover up with clothing as much as I can, even with a hat, my face is hard to protect. I wear Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry Touch 100+ on my face. It's the only sunscreen which gives me protection for about 2 hours. If I wear SPF 30, I need to reapply every 30 minutes. It's worth the extra money because I'm using less throughout the day. Try it, I think you'll be happy.
Sometimes I layer sunscreen. I'll put this on, let it absorb for 15 minutes, then use Aveeno 70 Faces.