radroad

I wonder how the more expensive brands justify the extra cost. The doc martin's is nearly $30 for 2 oz. Coppertone runs around $8 for 8 oz or 1/15th the cost.

The active ingredients are always the same in comparing type vs type, ie. chemical vs mineral based. I currently use mineral based 50 spf, largely because a bottle seems to last so much longer, and I use plenty. The mineral based comes out of the bottle in semi liquid form. The chemical ss has a much thicker consistency. The mineral ss is easily visible and takes a few seconds to blend in, so perhaps that's why I'm using a bit less?

If the SPF is the same (and copper tone doesn't charge more for higher SPF), then the percentages of the active ingredients should be the same as well.

Regardless, copper tone has worked best for me. I've tried the other high rated sunscreens such as walmart's top rated equate, but it didn't seem to work as well as copper tone's, although the Walmart brand is a little less expensive.

I'm hoping the combo of 50 SPF along with a cloth cover is sufficient for sunny summer days. The hats which offer front and side coverage are of course optimal.

When I get an e-bike, I may go full face helmet, yea!

79pmooney

I've been using first 40 SPD, then 50 SPD Banana Boat suncreens for years only with Aloe Vera Gel 40 SPD over, around and on my eyes (eyelids) with apparently good results. (The Aloe Vera Gel does not run and is kind to eyes if it does get in.).

That said, the brims are to be seen every year at Cycle Oregon. I have a summer sun hat that I have worn under my helmet (needed to carry it and I was out of pockets) and found it worked quite well and was comfortable. My challenge is that too much of a brim means I have to lift my head too far to see forward and it gets very tiring for my neck. I am also leary of a wide bneck covering that might affect helmet mirror vision.

Ben

jlaw

'Are you a good witch or a bad witch?'



I have considered Da Brim but not quite there yet.

I use Bannana Boat titanium dioxide sunscreen, spf arm covers, a shirt with a collar, and I ride early when possible - home by 0930.

BengalCat

If you like it that is what counts most but you might wish to recheck the label of Neutrogena SPF 70:

How to Use

• Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure
• Reapply:
  • After 80 minutes of swimming or sweating
  • Immediately after towel drying
  • At least every 2 hours

The above is standard for virtually all sunscreen products...reapply every 80 minutes. Any protection above SPF 30 is pretty much minuscule. SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays and SPF 50 blocks 98% and SPF 100 blocks about 99%.of UVB rays.

caloso

Sunscreen, but mostly Mexicanidad.

canklecat

None, this summer. Just an experiment. I read a few theories that reduced sugar intake and lower body fat tends to reduce a tendency to sunburn. I figured it would be easy enough to test. I've lost more than 50 lbs since 2001 and 30 since I resumed cycling in 2015. I'm within 3 lbs of my optimal weight, same as my optimal weight in my teens and 20s (I'm 61 now). I've cut way back on the sugar, alcohol, and tend to consume carbs only in conjunction with bike rides or other exercise.

I've tended to sunburn easily so I figured the new theory would flop my first ride in daylight. Figured I'd burn my first ride and need to wear long sleeves for the rest of the summer.

Nope. No burn. I've ridden up to 4 hours in midday Texas summer sun this year, several times. My arms are moderately tanned, but my legs are still barely tanned.

And some recent theories claim there's no evidence that sunscreen prevents skin cancer, or that sunburn necessarily causes skin cancer. Vulnerability to sunburn and skin cancer may have something to do with genetic predisposition to blood sugar disorders.

And nitric oxide helps with energy during bike rides or other exercise. We can't really store up nitric oxide, the body produces it on the fly as needed from other nutrients such as l-arginine. So I've been adding a little more amino acid supplements and riding without sunscreen.

So far, so good. But I'm not quite ready to claim these theories are credible. I was just curious to try.

Ask me again in a few years whether I'm needing a dermatologist and oncologist.

radroad

Tanning is a sign of UV damage.

MikeyMK

It's a sign of the body defending itself against UV energy. And the more people are subjected to it, over the more time, over the more generations, the more their bodies produce the melanin to barrier the UV.

radroad

The strongest tan provides at most a level of protection around spf 3. That's a best case scenario. In effect, a tan offers virtually zero protection.

UV is a carcinogen.

BikeLite

Agree with radroad on uv.

Speedskater

High price is why I only use Doc Martin's near my eyes. Every other product that I have tried over the decades burns my eyes (even BullFrog).

mcours2006

I don't live in super hot climate, and I also usually ride early enough to miss the sun's peak hours. I find that I am fine using arm covers, and even leg covers for up to 25C. I do apply Spf 50 on my face, neck, and back of hands, because by the end of the ride the sun is pretty intense.

If it's any warmer than that or if there's high humidity, then I have little choice but to use sunscreen. It's a Paula's Choice daily moisturizer cream that is part of the package of skin care products that my wife buys. It's non greasy and goes on like regular moisturizer.

BobbyG

What about neck and face gaiters?

Daniel4

The visor on my bike helmet is usually good enough for my face. If the sun isn't shining on my eyes, it's not hitting my face either. Having said that I still apply a light coat of spf30 on high uv days especially on my ears and arms.

As for the back of my neck, sometimes I drape a hand towel behind my helmet.

I used to buy spf 50 but Consumers Report said anything higher than 30 is not as effective as you'd expect (same goes for mosquito repellants over 30% deet).

Milton Keynes

On the last big ride I did, I saw someone with one of these. I thought it was interesting but not for me. My wife thinks I already look dorky enough.

gcolts

Have used products from Halo Headband for years....a few different options, all protective, easy to wash, keep sweat from dripping down (well, a bit...ha!)

You can look them up online....a bunch of awesome options!

big chainring 

I had a cancer growth removed from my nose last year. One surgeon took a big divot out of my nose and another plastic surgeon reworked my nose. It was really disgusting. Everyday I had to clean and bandage my nose. When the surgeon finally removed the bandage and stitches I commented, "I asked for the Paul Newman, looks like you gave me the Karl Malden". He got the joke. His 20 something assistant had no clue.

indyfabz

I’ve seen more than one person the wearing Da Brim thing that look like one of your photos while touring.

canklecat

Nearly two years since my previous post to this thread. I still don't use sunscreen or take any precautions in the sun. I still don't burn, and can barely keep a tan. Immediately after a long ride, run or walk in the sun my skin will be a little darker... but it mostly clears up within a day, leaving only a faint tan. No reddening, pain, peeling, etc.

During a 6 mile run this past week I took off the sleeveless shirt I usually wear, for about 30 minutes, to see if there was any change. In midday sun that seemed like a reasonable start, since I used to burn within 15 minutes. This time there was no discernible reddening or tanning on skin that hasn't seen sun in years.

For awhile I wondered whether it had something to do with my changes in diet, non-functioning thyroid and supplements, losing body fat, etc.

Turns out it might be due to the large doses of vitamin D I take two or three times a day to compensate for low serum vitamin D and osteopenia caused by the malfunctioning thyroid and parathyroid.

This study indicates sunburn effects may be reduced by taking massive doses of vitamin D within an hour after exposure.

frogman

I use the same stuff. Always in the sun on rides here in northern Ca. Works well. I filled a small tube and have it in my bike pack and reapply on rides over 2 hours. Not greasy at all.

noimagination

Unfortunately, my eyes don't like No-Ad. I use it for the beach, but when I'm active I use Banana Boat Kids. YMMV

I haven't tried the sun arm covers, that looks good for arms, but for face I would prefer to stick to sunscreen. If I was on a multi-day trip, one of the hats shown would probably be needed, or maybe for the desert? Rides around here are rarely in full sun for more than a few minutes to half an hour, maybe.

kahn

A friend recently got one of those in LIME GREEN. She can be seen. It looks a bit dorky at first but then you get use to seeing it. She says she does feel stronger winds and it was not easy getting it attached so it stayed in place.

Hentze

50 in strength does the job