Affordable spf 30 for face?

shandyclover

immie wrote: »

I was told by a beautician that the SPF containing skin creams shouldn't be relied on as sun protection, she said it's going to be very weak uva/uvb protection as it's diluted with product... I don't know the science of it but it sounds about right?

I've been on the lookout for a good sunscreen too, I've got loads of hyper-pigmentation on my face I'm worried I'll get more:(

So far I've tried amber solaire, aveeno and coppertone etc. The least greasy one I've come acrossed so far has to be 'HAWAIIAN TROPIC Oil-free Faces Sheer Sunscreen SPF30', it feels like a light moisturiser!:T it's an american brand, costs about £10 on amazon:)
I'm going to buy a new one once I've used up my poundshop sunscreens, although cheap I wouldn't recommend them for you though as they can be very old stock...

Be wary of use by dates, I heard the protection level decreases year by year so say a 1 year out of date bottle of spf 30 will effectively be spf 15, again I'm no expert so can't verify this

Interesting points immie.

So much seems like guesswork, the hunt for a sun screen continues.

I used to be very careful about buying new stock sun screen, until end of last summer when I was shopping, I overheard staff discussing clearing sunscreens and storing them till next spring! Now I do check very carefully, but have learnt just because stock is on supermarket shelves does not mean it's any newer than whats in my holiday bag!

busiscoming2

shandyclover wrote: »

Interesting points immie.

So much seems like guesswork, the hunt for a sun screen continues.

I used to be very careful about buying new stock sun screen, until end of last summer when I was shopping, I overheard staff discussing clearing sunscreens and storing them till next spring! Now I do check very carefully, but have learnt just because stock is on supermarket shelves does not mean it's any newer than whats in my holiday bag!

Yes this always occurs to me. You don't actually know how old it is. Maybe they should start putting a 'when produced' date on it. Surely it's the same with all the lotions and potions?

meaniemouse

shandyclover wrote: »

This looks promising...

http://www.superdrug.com/solait-ffluid-spf30/invt/232663

will see if I can find the Aldi one too, though sometimes can be a bit hit and miss with seasonal things.

Bodyshop and Lush seem to do a version - though that's moving into quite a different price range. If I can get away with spending under a tenner I'll be happy since I now have to wear it all the time.:cool:

I can vouch for British Nanny facial moisturiser. It has 30SPF,is lovely and moisturising and a little goes a very long way. Most importantly they have the date that it was made on every single item - not something that you find on many other products. they are very good at giving consultations about any of their products and are always happy to give you samples to try.

Fire_Fox

More important than texture and price is surely efficacy, are you intending on reapplying the recommended amount regularly when you are exposed to the sun? If you are putting a moisturiser type amount under make up I am guessing you are hoping it will last all day which it will not and you will not get the stated SPF. You definitely won't if you use a make up product/ BB cream with SPF.

If you only want to use a small amount you will need a higher SPF. Chemical sunscreens are unstable and break down quickly and must be applied to bare skin not over moisturiser or a make up base. Physical sunscreens like micronised zinc or titanium dioxide are longer lasting as is a silicone (-cone, -conol, -xane) base.

You will need both zinc and titanium to get a clear product higher than SPF30. Physical sunscreens themselves do not degrade, it's only the base cream that might have gone 'off' if you use an old product, same as with any moisturiser.

Fire_Fox

meaniemouse wrote: »

I can vouch for British Nanny facial moisturiser. It has 30SPF,is lovely and moisturising and a little goes a very long way. Most importantly they have the date that it was made on every single item - not something that you find on many other products. they are very good at giving consultations about any of their products and are always happy to give you samples to try.

You don't want a little to go a very long way with sunscreens, that means you are not using enough to get the stated SPF.

"To achieve the Sun Protection Factor (SPF, which protects against the sun’s UVB radiation) reflected on a bottle of sunscreen, you should use approximately two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin. In practice, this means applying the equivalent of a shot glass (two tablespoons) of sunscreen to the exposed areas of the face and body – a nickel-sized dollop to the face alone. If you’re using a spray, apply until an even sheen appears on the skin. Remember that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, or more frequently after swimming, heavy perspiration, or toweling off. Also remember, no matter how much sunscreen you apply, the SPF should be 15 or higher for adequate protection – and ideally 30 or higher for extended time spent outdoors."
http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/ask-the-experts/how-much-sunscreen-should-i-be-using-on-my-face-and-body

j.e.j.

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Chemical sunscreens are unstable and break down quickly and must be applied to bare skin not over moisturiser or a make up base. Physical sunscreens like micronised zinc or titanium dioxide are longer lasting as is a silicone (-cone, -conol, -xane) base.

You will need both zinc and titanium to get a clear product higher than SPF30. Physical sunscreens themselves do not degrade, it's only the base cream that might have gone 'off' if you use an old product, same as with any moisturiser.

Interesting info Aren't the physical sunscreens quite greasy? The ones I am thinking of are chalky, a bit like you see cricketers wearing on their noses. How can someone tell if the sunscreen they're using is chemical or physical?

Regarding sun protection factors, apparently once you get above SPF25 there isn't that much difference between them. For example SPF50 does not offer double the protection of a SPF25 lotion.

Fire_Fox

j.e.j. wrote: »

Interesting info Aren't the physical sunscreens quite greasy? The ones I am thinking of are chalky, a bit like you see cricketers wearing on their noses. How can someone tell if the sunscreen they're using is chemical or physical?

As I said physical are generally micronised zinc or titanium dioxide or both. Pretty much every other active is chemical, usually they tell you what the active is within the ingredients list. Chalky zinc oxide is not micronised or is at a high concentration (20%+) - you are thinking of a complete block not a screen with sportsmen.

Micronised zinc needs some oil in the formulation to disperse well, doesn't mean it needs to be greasy. The more zinc there is the more oil there needs to be, so anything cosmetically appealing will be <20%. Technically silicones are oils - the stuff that is the base of any make up primer or hair heat protection product and also in almost every conditioner, they are not necessarily greasy once they 'dry'.

This is very light and not at all greasy nor whitening tho not cheap, so I am using it as an example. DeVita Rx Ultrasolar SPF50. Top two ingredients are water based, contains two physical agents to avoid whitening.
"Active Ingredients: Micronized Zinc Oxide 19% (Transparent), and Titanium Dioxide 8%. Inactive Ingredients: Purified Water, Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Capric/Caprylic Triglycerides (derived from coconut oil), Stearic Acid, Vegetable Glycerin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hyaluronic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate (from vegetable oil), Lecithin, Vitamin E Acetate, Allantoin, Comfrey Root Extract, Grapeseed Extract."

j.e.j. wrote: »

Regarding sun protection factors, apparently once you get above SPF25 there isn't that much difference between them. For example SPF50 does not offer double the protection of a SPF25 lotion.

Depends how you measure double, by percentage of UV rays blocked or time in the sun without burning. There is only a few percentage points difference but double the time, IF you are using the right amount of sunscreen and applying frequently but very few people do.

Higher SPF has particular value in various situations: if reapplying loads often is not going to happen/ if you are in direct sunlight/ out for a long time/ in a hotter climate/ are very fair/ at risk due to medication/ family history, every few percent can really matter. In many countries a daily SPF30 is considered the minimum, and that is assuming the product is used correctly.

And if you want to see it from purely a vanity perspective (why not?) a huge part of ageing is incidental sun exposure, A list celebs don't all simply look young because they have cosmetic surgery, many are obsessed with protecting and treating their skin. People who drive a lot can really notice this, they can have one side of their face completely different from the other :eek: or their hands really suffer.

shandyclover

In the meantime I have been to Aldi to pick up a few things and gotten their 'Anti-skin aging sun cream' spf 30., 75ml for 2.99 in a pump action bottle. In the ingredient list is titanium dioxide, along with a lot of other stuff but I'm assuming that is the active ingredient. I haven't tried it on my face yet but on my hand it feels fairly light, and absorbs right away. A very slight pleasant smell (so relieved it isn't an over-powering coconutty 'I'm on holiday' smell) - will let you know how I get on with it.

Many thanks Fire Fox for sharing with us your knowledge, who knew it was all so technical?

katmal

I have very bad Rosacea and a family history of skin cancer. My G.P. advised me to use an SPF 50 Sunscreen specifically for facial use. This one is fab and I apply every morning (My Rosacea has cleared) . I forgot to take it with me when I went away for a weekend and the Rosacea was back after 2 days without use and gone again after 3 or 4 days of using it once I returned home so it definitely works for me. I also wear make up over it as the instructions state that you can use it with make up. It is quite greasy on application but this is absorbed after 5 minutes maximum. It's on special offer at the moment for £5.49 and a tube lasts me 4-6 weeks. http://www.boots.com/en/Soltan-Once-Face-8-Hour-Sun-Protection-Moisturising-Suncare-Cream-SPF30-50ml_1207082/

MrsE_2

shandyclover wrote: »

After an anxious 6 mos, I have just got the all clear from the beginnings of skin cancer, though dr. recommended I now wear a minimum spf 30 everyday. I can do sunscreen on my body but really don't like the feeling of it on my face, can anyone recommend a light, affordable facial spf?

You need this

http://www.qvcuk.com/CatalogSearch?langId=-2&storeId=10252&catalogId=10152&keyword=Ultrasun+face&x=45&y=18