Aveeno,RoC, and Neutrogena are all the same manufacturer.
Yes Aveeno makes nice skincare products. They are less greasy than some other brands. Used them a lot on the kids for itchiness (lots of allergies)
Also like Aveeno and Neutragena because they are non-greasy and good for sensitive skin.
Talk to your doctor about whether you should be talking Vitamin D supplements, if you aren’t already. Between trying to limit the exposure to sunlight and living in the northern climate you live in, lack of Vitamin D could become an issue.
Yes, even those of us in sunny climates often end up with vitamin D deficiencies, especially since our bodies are less efficient at utilizing the vitamin D we are exposed to as we age. H is taking it and I suspect I may need to as well in the near future. Many of the calcium supplements come with SOME vitamin D, to help improve absorption, but that may not be enough.
CeraVe is pretty inexpensive. My dermatologist also recommended Elta, but I didnt try it. Cerave may only be SPv 20 though, I can’t remember. I would think for winter if you’re not outside much, 20 May be fine, but obviously that’s your call.
I’d try smaller/sample sizes before investing in a huge bottle, if you have sensitive skin. Also, keep in mind that sunblock gets less effective as it ages, so it definitely has a shelf life. Costco and Sam’s do sell in larger sizes, once you are SURE that your body is OK with the brand and version you are consider purchasing in quantity. We have bought a ton of sunscreen but tend not to use it often, so waste quite a lot. We’ve since stopped buying it and just rely upon whatever dad wins from golf tournament door prizes, so we don’t feel so bad when it expires.
Thank you all.
The spf 30 was the recommended minimum from my Derm. She specializes in autoimmune disorders so I feel I’m in good hands. But for the lotion she said I just kinda had to try different ones because different people react differently to different ones.
When summer comes I have to bump it up to spf 50 if I’m going to be out at all.
I like the idea of trying smaller bottles to make sure I don’t react. I literally have made a list of all the recommendations on this thread and will see what works through trial and error.
Re: Vit D… I’ve been on 1000 U daily for about two months and that’s one of the vitamins they’re monitoring monthly. Now that I have to really limit my sun exposure, they’ll probably up my dose eventually.
I looked and Cerave is SPf30. I haven’t used either, but Aveeno or Euricin are also possibilities.
My dorm has recommended this brand of sun protective items. I have used some of their coverups and my friends husband has used the scarf/hat things.
I like Coolibar as well as ExOfficio Sol Cool products for sun protection.
Romani, also think about what form you like. You may want a lotion for your face, but a spray for your body.
Eddie Bauer and REI also have lines of sun protective clothing. Tilley Hats, while expensive, are sized and stay on your head better than other outdoor hats. http://www.tilley.com/us_en/women/hats/ I live in mine every summer, and it keeps the rain out as well!
After getting skin cancer, I went on the defensive. At the time my derm said Clinique City Block is best, spf 40, and a physical block, with titanium and zinc. Now these are nano particles, and there is some controversy as to how healthy they might be. These last longer than the chemical sunblocks, and there is concern about their toxicity as well. Regardless, toxic or not, I decided to choose my skin and will chance the rest.
So I use Oil of Olay with an SPF on my face, neck, and backs of hands in summer, and upper chest. On my face, the Clinique, Put a hat on when outside, and loose sun protective shirts over a sleeveless T shirt, and that is how I go out. Add sunscreen on legs and arms as needed.
However, I feel like making a list of the above very interesting suggestions.
@pizzagirl that’s a good point, too. My hands have been hurting really bad lately… to the point that I can’t squeeze smaller bottles so I’ve been switching over to mostly pumps rather than bottles (for shampoo and the like).
Thanks for the suggestions on other skin-saving stuff. I’ve never really been an outdoors person as my skin has always reacted poorly to the sun. I’m more wondering what I’m going to do when I want to go swimming. That is the only thing that I have a pressing desire to do in the sun. Other than that, I tend to wear long pants and sleeves during all but the hottest of days.
There are “rash guard” nylon shirts that are popular for sun protection when in the water. Surfers and folks doing water sports in HI wear them frequently and they sell them inexpensively at Costco and Sam’s Club, among other places. They are much more protective than any topical ointment or lotion for what they cover. You can get them in long or short sleeves.
I believe you can get them for about $20 and less. They look like t-shirts but are fine to swim in. My kids and most folks I know are all fine with wearing them, as are H and me.
Here’s an Amazon link. http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=2237741011
My H’s sister and her family wear them all the time at the beach. It started when her H began surfing but then it was just easier and more effective than the continual sunscreen applications in the strong Florida sun. Her husband is Indian and she is mostly of Mediterranean descent so they are not super fair at all but they don’t mess around with sun exposure!
My problem with those tops is that they’re meant to be tight and I have difficulty getting them on and off due to my cranky shoulders. Someone needs to make a zip up model that is easier to use.
@greenwitch here you go!
http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-aquasport-zip-front-rash-guard/id_277056?sku_0=::VCL
http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-aquasport-zip-front-rash-guard/id_296090?sku_0=::ZLQ
^^thanks!
You might also want to consider tinting your windows. I’m pretty sure regular glass cuts uv-b, but I’ve never seen a clear statement that it also cuts uv-a. But that photo of the truck driver with sun damage to only half his face from sun coming through his truck window is pretty convincing evidence that sun in a car can cause harm. You can also get clear tints for the windshield but that tends to be an expensive proposition.
Also fyi if you’re taking vitamin D (the D3 formulation I assume) you should consider also taking vitamin K2 with it. K2 directs the calcium towards the bones otherwise some ends up attaching to the arteries. K2 plus D3 results in lower levels of arterial calcification than just D3 alone. It’s especially important if you’re also taking a calcium supplement. There’s a number of studies available on the NIH website if you want to read up on the subject.
@romanigypsyeyes , I work outside during the summer and have struggled with this for years. I use a Neutrogena oil free face product , but tend to go for Banana Boat or Coppertone lotions for the rest of me. because of cost. I apply it before I leave for work in the early morning and it lasts me for the hours I work outside ( until 1pm , at the beach )
My daughters all have different skin and skin tones , but two are more fair skinned than I am and have also worked alongside us. I don’t know what your coloring is, but a word of caution here:
If you are fair skinned and have blonde hair, beware of aerosol spray sunscreens. They can turn your orange , and also white clothing
I am pretty pale (and blue eyed) but not blonde.
I went to a beauty store thing today and they had some specials on Olay (for face/neck) and CeraVe (for body) so I bought bottles of those to try. The other brands only had big, expensive bottles so I decided to try the advice of getting small bottles first.
Plus, these bottles seemed like the easiest to squeeze. Several of them were in hard bottles that were just painful to even look at.