<p>I’m with DMD, much of the time it’s cloudy.
However a couple weeks ago I was in Central Washington & it was in the low 100’s.
I used sunscreen, but I got heat exhaustion anyway.( very fair & strawberry blond/blue eyes)
I recovered eventually( my daughter wanted to take me to the hospital) but I could have been in even more trouble if I hadn’t used sunscreen.
I later found out that the two medications I am on, make that much more of a risk-
I will also use sunscreen if I am going to be exerting myself & the temp is over 72, as I seem to have a tendency to react very badly when I get too hot, and if I was sun burned, that would be even worse.</p>
<p>We have a dedicated ozone hole above the area of Puget Sound where I live. For prolonged sun exposure (even with the typical cloud cover!) I use sunscreen, but I do not boher with it (or any SPF creams) during workweek since my only exposure to the sun happens during my 20 min runs between buses - I use it to make my own Vit D. I find L’Oreal’s sunscreens to be best for my particular skin. </p>
<p>When we go to HI for a vacation, we adopt “no time zone change” rule. That way, we have our breakfast around 5:30 and hit the beach just before 8. We enjoy a few sunscreen-less minutes, then apply it. By 10, when the sun is still at about 45 degrees, we go back to the hotel to exercise, eat early lunch, and then head out to shop or sightsee. Sunscreen is used religiously on all body parts exposed to sun during that time, too. This way, neither of us had any sunburn in a while. </p>
<p>I try to avoid the sun as much as possible because I was very bad as a teen (at the beach daily in summers slathered with baby oil.)</p>
<p>I have Italian and French skin so I was able survive much of the possible damage, but I dont want to add any.</p>
<p>On a near-daily basis, I mix a BB cream with sunscreen with my burt’s bees royal cream with mica and rub on face, neck hands, and arms. </p>
<p>When I have to be in the sun, I wear a big floppy hat and tons of sunblock on anything that is showing. </p>
<p>I started using sunscreen when I was very young. I remember finding the first double-digit SPF. At that time, I was concerned about sunburn. I’m fair, and I’ve had several horrible burns. Wearing sunscreen at the beach meant that I could stop worrying about how much sun I’d had and whether a burn was developing.</p>
<p>More recently, I started wearing a moisturizer with SPF 40 on my face year round, on the advice of my dermatologist. This is for cancer protection and vanity. The sunscreen she recommended is not sticky or greasy, it melts in right away. And it doesn’t sting my eyes, even though I apply it on eyelids and under eyes, right up to the edge. It’s expensive but lasts for a long time:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Eltamd-Daily-SPF-48-Gram-Ounce/dp/B00464EC1E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406654058&sr=8-1&keywords=elta+md+40”>http://www.amazon.com/Eltamd-Daily-SPF-48-Gram-Ounce/dp/B00464EC1E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406654058&sr=8-1&keywords=elta+md+40</a></p>
<p>If I’m going to be in the sun, I wear sunsceen on exposed skin. I hate applying it because it takes time, and it smells bad and is greasy.</p>
<p>I use the same stuff nymomof2 recommended in #23 for the face. It doesn’t smell. It does drip in the eyes a bit if I get really good and sweaty. I use waterproof stuff that stinks more if I’m hiking/swimming.</p>
<p>I’ve got some ok stuff for arms/legs that is cheap. I mostly buy by the smell. I don’t want to smell like Coppertone or Hawaiian Tropic. </p>
<p>Hats are my friend; hats with big brims. </p>
<p>Biggest problem area is the upper chest – even with heavy duty sunscreen, that area easily sunburns if I’m wearing an open-necked shirt. That’s aggravating. </p>
<p>I was just over at Walmart lunchtime and looked at sunscreen displays in the store. The store had 2 different gondolas full of the stuff with maybe a hundred different brands, sizes, types. the stuff must be very profitable for merchants with a big markup. I wish the sunscreen was offered in a half gallon size, in a 30 SPF that doesn’t run and drip off your skin in the sun, with a decent fragrance…and at a reasonable price. WAY too many selections of the sunscreen are offered in small containers seemingly marketed as a cosmetic beauty item instead of a health aid to protect your skin. </p>
<p>Big bottle, effective, cheap…that’s what I’d like in a sunscreen. </p>
<p>Son is making your level of D higher. This prevents many cancers. One study of life guards showed that overall cancer rate among lifeguards is significantly lower than in general population. Son also develops pimentation in your skin. This pigmentation (tan) is a natural sunscreen.<br>
However, everything requires balance which in turn require brain activity. Without it, the results maybe very negative and melanoma is one of them. I love beach vacations, but we do not stay on the sun, we stay in shades. You can still tan in shade and you do not burn there. </p>
<p>Thank you above for recommendation on facial sunscreen. I usually use Neutrogena products but I’m going to give the Eltamd a try. My dermatologist recommends the Blue Lizard products for beach/pool exposure. I believe it’s an Australian product - they sell in her office but I’ve also bought online as it’s hard to find in stores around where I live. </p>
<p>Pizzagirl, I guess what I mean is that I wear sunscreen if I think there’s a chance I could burn. I just don’t burn if I’m out for a 4-mile run. But if I’m sitting on the beach in a swimsuit for hours, I might. If I couldn’t wear sunscreen while on the beach, I would sit under an umbrella. I guess I’m lucky genetically, because my mom has very few wrinkles, and I take after her.</p>
<p>DS tested as deficient in Vitamin D. Studies have shown that D is important for people with his mental illness, so he takes supplements. I’m trying to get him outside more. (I was happy to see him running today! He was SO fast in high school, and he runs with beautiful form.)</p>
<p>I burn easily and don’t like to be in the sun much anyway. I always use sunscreen if I’m going to be at the beach or anything like that. Usually just stay out of the sun. But I got a big basal cell on my neck and had to have a Mohs procedure anyway.</p>
<p>^^My dermatologist does not sell stuff in her office so her recommendations would not be seen as biased. </p>
<p>My ideal sunblock would be something that goes on smoothly, does not stain clothes, has a faint flowery fragrance, lasts up to 1 hour, does not burn eyes and has been tested on volunteers (e.g., from the camp of folks who are against animal testing) to show that the byproducts of the sun blocking substance degradation are not absorbed by tissues. No “nanoparicles” of any kind, please, because I’m too familiar with how things end up in the cells. </p>
<p>Another one of us who must avoid the sun a bit. I have been lucky so far and all of the odd spots that have been removed have been benign.</p>
<p>I avoid the mid-day sun and use sun-screen whenever I know I am going to be in the sun for more than about 20-30 minutes.</p>
<p>I also tend to cover up more…not that I had much idea to expose skin anyway. That would be cruelty to others!</p>
<p>My skin tans in the sun. It darkens fairly quickly, but overnight it is back to normal or “glowing”. It takes a lot for me to burn. Most likely I’d have to be outside all day with no protection to burn, but only my shoulders and face would feel the wrath of the sunburn. </p>
<p>When I do wear sunscreen, it is when I am spending a good amount if time in the sun - thirty minutes or more. I could be fishing, just hanging out with friends, or at the beach. When I know I will be going in and out of the sun, such as when I’m back in campus and going to my classes, I wear body lotion that has sunscreen in it. When I don’t mind what I smell like or I’m able to wipe off afterwards I use a spray on 70 SPF sunscreen. Otherwise, I use te daily body lotion with sunscreen. </p>
<p>I generally don’t use sunscreen on my face. Many if the products out there leave your face greasy, don’t work, or leave a white film on it. I now use Aveeno’s daily face moisturizer with 30 SPF and mix it with my everyday face moisturizer. It doesn’t leave my face greasy nor does it leave a white film!</p>
<p>My perfect sunscreen would be a lotion sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white fill on your skin, that moisturizers somewhat like lotion, and does not leave your skin overly greasy. It should have a decent smell during application AND after sweating. Price isn’t that much of a problem. As long as it’s competitive with the other good sunscreens out there - $10 to $14. Good sunscreen isn’t cheap. </p>
<p>My natural skin tone is tan so I don’t use tanning products. In the fall and winter I do get paler, but I just embrace it and use the first warm day as a reason to go to the beach!</p>
<p>Pizzagirl, have them also look into after sun care for skin! There are many sunblock options, but not too many of these brands offer lotions designed to soothe the sun-exposed skin. </p>
<p>^ Yes!</p>
<p>I’ve found myself just resorting to exfoliating and moisturizing ad much as possible just to ensure that my skin is on it’s best foot after a day of sun. It’s be nice if there were after sun care products that helped skin heal. </p>
<p>What is the best sunscreen that wont sting your eyes? (that isn’t too pricey?)</p>
<p>The MOHS surgeon in our area advocates sunscreen 365 days of the year and avoidance of the sun. Also states that wearing UV protected clothing and hats should be the norm. His practice is 100% skin cancer. </p>
<p>I avoid the sun but I will be the first to admit that I rarely ever put sunscreen. I do wear UV shielding clothes.</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids Face sunscreen or anything…?</p>
<p>I use Aveeno face moisturizer with SPF 30 and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch body mist. The Aveeno goes all over my face. Have never had it drip into my eyes when I get into my 100+ degree car! The body mist doesn’t sting if you use it correctly. The mist should be no more than $13 for the highest SPF. The face moisturizer should be no more than $15…but is around $10 at most stores. </p>
<p>lol…ok…I guess we’ve been remiss at answering the Q’s in the way PG posted them…</p>
<p>How would you describe what the sun does to your skin? Is this good or bad? Do you seek out this effect, or put effort into avoiding this effect?</p>
<p>A. BAD! I have a few age spots that I want to get rid of! I make an effort to keep my face, hands, arms and legs out of the sun to avoid getting any more of these. (do women get these more than men do??)</p>
<p>What is your overall philosophy, approach, and goals when it comes to caring for your skin in the sun?</p>
<p>A. I want to look as young as possible! 
I am nearly 56 and wrinkle-free (a BIG thank you to mom’s and dad’s genes), but I don’t want to tempt fate. </p>
<p>How does this impact the activities that you do in the sun? What management strategies do you have? (don’t do those activities, do them only in early morning / late afternoon, be sure to wear a hat, always put on sunscreen before leave the house, etc.)</p>
<p>A. I do have a strategy. I do any kind of gardening based on where the sun is. In the morning, I work on the west side of the house, and in the afternoon, I work on the east side. </p>
<p>What are your philosophies as to when or whether sunscreen is needed? (only if sun actively shining, going to be outside for more than X minutes,only if wearing clothing that exposes parts of body not normally exposed, etc.)</p>
<p>A. As I mentioned upthread, I mix a BB cream that has sunscreen in it with Burt’s Bee’s cream with Mica and use that pretty much all over exposed areas. When at the beach, I use a high number SPF, sit under an umbrella, and wear a floppy hat. The floppy hat is worn anytime I have to be in the sun for a period of time (in a stadium, etc). </p>
<p>How do the above thoughts change if you are thinking about your face versus your body?</p>
<p>A. Well vanity plays into giving more attention to the face. 
I need to find a sunblock that wont sting my eyes! I don’t want to get any crow’s feet or crepey eyelids</p>
<p>What are the things that prompt you to use sunscreen? (appearance, not desiring tan, concern with skin cancer, etc.)</p>
<p>A. Pure vanity…fear of wrinkles. If I could get a tan safely, I would do it. I have used spray-tans, self-tanners, and those sort of products. </p>
<p>What are your frustrations with sunscreen / sun protection products now?</p>
<p>A. I do NOT like the feel on my hands when rubbing them in. </p>
<p>If you value the look of a tan (which you may or may not - who I am to judge), are there other ways that you achieve that look that don’t involve the sun? (e.g., self-tanners, bronzers, tanning booths)</p>
<p>A. Yes I value that look! (I’ve already confessed to vanity!) Yes, to self-tanners, bronzers…not tanning booths. </p>
<p>How diligent are you in this area? If you aren’t as diligent as you would like, what prevents you from doing so?</p>
<p>I am pretty diligent, although not perfect…the mixing of the BB cream with the Burt’s Bees is part of my morning routine.</p>
<p>I am in my mid-40s, have a very fair complexion, and have a family history of skin cancer. Spent a lot of time outside in the South and on the water in my youth. Got my first MOHS surgery on my face at 40 and have had two more since then. Very depressing to sit in a MOHS surgeon waiting room and look around to see that all the other patients have 40 years on you! I wear a thick SPF 30-50 every day on my face/neck, and wear hats when I am going to be outside a lot. I wear sunscreen on my arms and legs if I am working outside for several hours, going to the beach, etc…</p>