Best SUNBLOCK recommendations/advice please?

dezz99

Hi, been googling around and looking for the best SUNBLOCK to buy but there doesn't appear to be much on sale in the UK anymore?

There seems to be a merge of SUNSCREEN and SUNBLOCK. I always thought sunscreen protects but you still get a tan and sunblock stops you getting a tan?

I'm male and want something to stop me getting a tan and protect me as I'll be out in the summer for hours at a time and don't want my skin getting any darker. But does the UK sell SUNBLOCKS anymore?

It seems like they don't after spending the last hour searching...

I had this before:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neutrogena-ultra-sunblock-sunscreen-waterproof/dp/B006UWBAQK/ref=sr_1_28?crid=VXWMH7HO83WI&keywords=neutrogena+sunblock&qid=1553512570&s=beauty&sprefix=neutrogena+sunblock%2Cbeauty%2C132&sr=1-28

But i lost the tube (says sunblock on the tube), seems really expensive now and it will take 3 weeks to arrive for the USA anyway?

Also there is this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MH2PT5A/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AFBDIVRO7YS7G&psc=1

But it says "sunscreen" on the tube and it will also take 3 weeks to arrive from the USA



Feeling a little confused about which product to buy so all help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

pogofish

A wide brimmed hat and a cape is probably the best of all.

Sunblock/Sunscreen labelling in the UK isn't as good or clear as it should be yet - at least compared to countries where sun exposure presents is a very serious risk.

Don't even bank on your favourite products being the same as at home - many producers reformulate for different markets and labelling standards.

dezz99

pogofish wrote: »

A wide brimmed hat and a cape is probably the best of all.

Sunblock/Sunscreen labelling in the UK isn't as good or clear as it should be yet - at least compared to countries where sun exposure presents is a very serious risk.

Don't even bank on your favourite products being the same as at home - many producers reformulate for different markets and labelling standards.

Thanks Pogo

Why does it have to be so different here? Is there a ban on anything over spf 50 in the UK?

MarkFromCornwall

Surely SPF 50 is so near to total protection as makes no difference in the UK. So wearing SPF 50 your sun exposure is equivalent to just over a minute for each hour you are in the sun. As the sun is only really strong for, say, 8 hours per day in the summer, then even if you stay out all day you aren't going to get more than about 10 minutes equivalent. The important thing, I suspect, with these high SPFs is not to get a higher SPF but to take care that you use enough of it and cover all exposed skin.

pogofish

dezz99 wrote: »

Thanks Pogo

Why does it have to be so different here? Is there a ban on anything over spf 50 in the UK?

Its more that they didn't get on to the issue till quite recently - Until not that long a heavy tan was considered a sign of rude health.

Then when the inevitable damage became an issue, the government did what it usually does in the first instance and asked the manufacturers to sort it amongst themselves, which led to SPF (UVB) protection figures being quoted with no reference to the UVA protection, which is what really does the damage. It took EU legislation to get them grudgingly to comply and declate levels for that too...!

A_Phoenix_of_Tangerine

dezz99 wrote: »

Hi, been googling around and looking for the best SUNBLOCK to buy but there doesn't appear to be much on sale in the UK anymore?

There seems to be a merge of SUNSCREEN and SUNBLOCK. I always thought sunscreen protects but you still get a tan and sunblock stops you getting a tan?

I'm male and want something to stop me getting a tan and protect me as I'll be out in the summer for hours at a time and don't want my skin getting any darker. But does the UK sell SUNBLOCKS anymore?

It seems like they don't after spending the last hour searching...

I had this before:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neutrogena-ultra-sunblock-sunscreen-waterproof/dp/B006UWBAQK/ref=sr_1_28?crid=VXWMH7HO83WI&keywords=neutrogena+sunblock&qid=1553512570&s=beauty&sprefix=neutrogena+sunblock%2Cbeauty%2C132&sr=1-28

But i lost the tube (says sunblock on the tube), seems really expensive now and it will take 3 weeks to arrive for the USA anyway?

Also there is this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MH2PT5A/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AFBDIVRO7YS7G&psc=1

But it says "sunscreen" on the tube and it will also take 3 weeks to arrive from the USA



Feeling a little confused about which product to buy so all help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Bioderma Photoderm Max spf 50 is a really highly rated French sunscreen. It's highly protective against UVA and UVB - I'm very fair, and since using it the past few Summers I haven't burned, tanned or even freckled. Its expensive, but the 400ml bottles can be good value, especially if purchased at an online French pharmacy. If I remember correctly, I bought mine at Parapharmacie (unsure if spelt correctly!) for much less than it sells for in the UK, even considering P&P. Hope that helps!

kadison

I don't know that I've ever seen 'sunblock' in the UK, I think it isn't used here as it could be misconstrued, nothing can block 100% of rays, all it can do is reduce them, if you're outside, you're going to get some UV exposure, if only a very little.

In the UK, companies aren't allowed to label above SPF50 as it's considered not to be accurately calculable, but you can sort of find it, for instance there is SPF50, which is SPF50 or SPF50+, which is generally around SPF65, though they're not allowed to label it as that. In Australia you can't label above SPF30, so there's even more guesswork there!

If you want a good sunscreen, go for Reimann P20 or Ultrasun, or another brand with a 5* UVA rating that doesn't need to be applied every two hours, but still cover up between 11-3pm as even the best sunscreen won't do all the work in very hot sun.

To conclude, keep in mind these things when buying sunscreen:-

• How easy it is to apply - if you don't have help then go for an aerosol spray that needs little rubbing in, especially in hard to reach areas.
• How long it stays on the skin - go for one that lasts longer and reapply when you feel it's necessary, always apply more frequently the closer you get to the equator. If you get one that needs reapplying every two hours you'll be very fed-up and sticky by the end of the day!
• UVA causes skin ageing and is represented by a star rating from 1-5 or by a circle with UVA in the middle denoting the minimum acceptable for sale in the EU (approximately 3*)
• UVB causes burning and skin cancer and is represented by the SPF, under no circumstances use under SPF15 as you might as well cover yourself in cooking oil! SPF30 is the ideal, go higher for fair skin, children or if you simply want better protection.

Also consider the following for sun exposure....

• Medium-weight T-shirt fabric offers SPF20 protection or thereabouts, but don't rely on that for your only protection, especially as you travel nearer to the equator.
• Don't forget your eyes and lips, especially in very hot or exposed climates such as when skiing.
• Don't assume that you don't need sunscreen if you're dark-skinned, you still do, though generally not as high an SPF.
• Always seek shade or cover up between 11-3pm when the sun is highest in the sky.
• Use an SPF on your face and neck all year round, there's plenty of SPF day creams around and it will guard against ageing better than a non-SPF day cream.
• Make sure your sunscreen isn't out of date and that you allow time between application and sun exposure (some sunscreens provide instant protection so look for those if needed)

Hope that helps!

dezz99

Thanks to everyone for the advice, i think i may go with Bioderma or ultrasun. Will read some of the reviews and decide

Appreciate the help!!

halogen

I have ginger skin and I've always gone for SPF50. I find Banana Boat Baby range very good.

sunfield91

Have a look for Altruist sun care website, it’s been developed by a dermatologist, think it’s only for sale on Amazon. The website is very interesting. HTH