Dumb Question: How do you put on sunscreen?
08-25-18, 04:44 PM
#1
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Dumb Question: How do you put on sunscreen?
I have the reddest nose and cheeks. Yet I use SPF100 cream on my face (I use 70 spray elsewhere). Am I not applying it correctly? I mean, I rub it in, because having a bunch of white goo on my face seems a little strange... 
But is rubbing it in making it less effective?
I can't believe I'm asking how to apply sunscreen, but.....maybe I'm not doing it properly?
But is rubbing it in making it less effective? I can't believe I'm asking how to apply sunscreen, but.....maybe I'm not doing it properly?
08-25-18, 05:05 PM
#2
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How long are you riding, and how often are you re-applying? How much are you sweating off?
What SPF100? Just because the number is bigly doesn't mean it blocks everything.
What SPF100? Just because the number is bigly doesn't mean it blocks everything.
08-25-18, 05:09 PM
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I agree, SPF100 sounds unlikely. In any event..
"Sunscreens should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to fully bind to the skin. Reapplication of sunscreen is just as important as putting it on in the first place, so reapply the same amount every two hours.
"Sunscreens should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to fully bind to the skin. Reapplication of sunscreen is just as important as putting it on in the first place, so reapply the same amount every two hours.
Sunscreens Explained - SkinCancer.org"
08-25-18, 06:05 PM
#5
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Right, I've read that the larger numbers don't always mean they block as much as they say. It's a Coppertone Sport, and it's a cream not a spray. I rarely ride more than 90 mins so I don't think it should need to be reapplied. I didn't know the part about 30mins before, so maybe that would be something to consider, but how many people really put on sunscreen 30mins before they go out? With that said, I could definitely do it at the start of my prep for a ride, so like 15mins or so.
Edit: one interesting thing from reading the skincancer.org link, is "To ensure that you get the full SPF of a sunscreen, you need to apply 1 oz – about a shot glass full" but it doesn't make any indication as to what that means in terms of area exposed. Is that to mean someone at the beach, ie: a lot so skin exposed, needs that much? Or what? I know that when I read recently about sunscreen and the SPF numbers not being entirely accurate, they mentioned that most people don't apply enough sunscreen, but again they failed to mention how much is considered enough.
Edit: one interesting thing from reading the skincancer.org link, is "To ensure that you get the full SPF of a sunscreen, you need to apply 1 oz – about a shot glass full" but it doesn't make any indication as to what that means in terms of area exposed. Is that to mean someone at the beach, ie: a lot so skin exposed, needs that much? Or what? I know that when I read recently about sunscreen and the SPF numbers not being entirely accurate, they mentioned that most people don't apply enough sunscreen, but again they failed to mention how much is considered enough.
Last edited by Bahnzo; 08-25-18 at 06:13 PM.
08-25-18, 06:23 PM
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Its all personal how you react. I spent a week and a half tour not applying sunscreen in 90F+ heat and sun, and nothing. My wife caked it on, and still burnt some days. Ie you can do it "right" and still wind up red.
But my preferred way is having the wife slather it all over me
But my preferred way is having the wife slather it all over me
08-25-18, 08:27 PM
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Some sunscreens are more sweat resistant than others. I like Coppertone or Banana Boat Sport personally, but there are many other good ones out there. I've never noticed any difference in protection with sunscreens rated SPF 50 or above. Sometimes I think that the SPF 100 is more marketing than actual additional protection. If you think about it, if you would normally burn in 15 minutes, an SPF 50 sunblock properly applied should give you about 12 hours of protection. As mentioned, reapply often, especially when sweating heavily. Make sure your sunscreen specifies both UVA and UVB protection.
Other options include:
Other options include:
- Zinc Oxide sticks that apply like face paint to the areas where you burn the most like your nose and cheeks. Plain will leave a white mark but it also comes in colors. Not the coolest look, but a lot better than a bright red, blistered and peeling shnoz.
- Wear a cycling hat or visor under your helmet to help shade your upper face.
- (hardcore roadies look away now) get a helmet with a visor. Some visors are easily removable and can just be clipped on and off as needed.
- Avoid cycling mid-day when the UV Index is highest.
Last edited by Myosmith; 08-25-18 at 08:34 PM.
08-25-18, 08:53 PM
#8
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If your skin is red but not burning, then you might be having a reaction to it. Or have some other skin irritation causing the redness.
08-25-18, 08:55 PM
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I use the spf100 I think nutragena spray stuff. It’s like 14$ a can. I burn pretty easily and my loving wife worries about this kind of stuff. I learned that some do work better than others and 100spf doesn’t always mean 100spf. Anyways the spray stuff I use now works well but as already stated it’s super important to wait 20-30 before heading out side. Mine says this on the directions. I also reapply on hot days every 90 minutes because of sweat. Since I started to reapply to arms and face on hot days I have not burned in two seasons. I have used a store brand lotion type 70spf and I burned. Walmart to be exact. I don’t skimp on block anymore. Also mine has an expiration date. It actually works less the older it gets. Crazy I thought it was crap to get you to buy more but my dermatologist said nope, expired should be thrown. Usually not an issue except for leftovers from one year to next.
Its a pain to carry it but I got some small goo tubes and put just enough lotion type for reapplication during the ride. I dont like to carry more than I have too but this is worth the trouble!
Its a pain to carry it but I got some small goo tubes and put just enough lotion type for reapplication during the ride. I dont like to carry more than I have too but this is worth the trouble!
08-25-18, 10:38 PM
#10
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Thread Starter
Some sunscreens are more sweat resistant than others. I like Coppertone or Banana Boat Sport personally, but there are many other good ones out there. I've never noticed any difference in protection with sunscreens rated SPF 50 or above. Sometimes I think that the SPF 100 is more marketing than actual additional protection. If you think about it, if you would normally burn in 15 minutes, an SPF 50 sunblock properly applied should give you about 12 hours of protection. As mentioned, reapply often, especially when sweating heavily. Make sure your sunscreen specifies both UVA and UVB protection.
Other options include:
Other options include:
- Zinc Oxide sticks that apply like face paint to the areas where you burn the most like your nose and cheeks. Plain will leave a white mark but it also comes in colors. Not the coolest look, but a lot better than a bright red, blistered and peeling shnoz.
- Wear a cycling hat or visor under your helmet to help shade your upper face.
- (hardcore roadies look away now) get a helmet with a visor. Some visors are easily removable and can just be clipped on and off as needed.
- Avoid cycling mid-day when the UV Index is highest.
I did some reading tonight, and I think for starters I'm going to ditch the 100spf. 50spf seems fine and I agree it seems like 100 is just marketing. I think what I'm probably not doing is using enough. It seems you need to use a good deal more than you think, so I'm going that route.
I'll look into the zinc oxide...is that in the place you'd find sunscreen? I'll also add the visor back to my helmet, although I've been getting burned even when I wore it. I actually wear a "head cooling helmet liner" as it's called. Being bald sucks when it comes to the sun, and sunscreen on the head doesn't work, because it always finds a way to run into your eyes!
08-25-18, 10:42 PM
#11
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Could you give me a better idea what you mean by the small goo tubes? I should look for some on the occasion that I do ride more than 90 mins.
Last edited by Bahnzo; 08-26-18 at 12:46 AM.
08-25-18, 10:59 PM
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08-25-18, 11:08 PM
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Other options include:
- Zinc Oxide sticks that apply like face paint to the areas where you burn the most like your nose and cheeks. Plain will leave a white mark but it also comes in colors. Not the coolest look, but a lot better than a bright red, blistered and peeling shnoz.
I had been using one from Australia, but it is no longer imported, so I am now using this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Ba...3-Oz/392876177
08-26-18, 01:14 AM
#14
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I live in Finland so we don't get that harsh a sunlight but I still burn quite easily. In southern Europe I burn severely in minutes (I experienced this the hard way when I took my shirt off when cycling).
But the thing here is that it is actually not allowed to sell sunscreen that has a higher rating than SPF 50. Some manufacturers do mark it as SPF 50+ but that's as high as it goes.
A second important thing to keep in mind is to buy sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB.
We buy our stuff from the pharmacy and the 50+spf is so good my wife complains that she won't get tanned when using it no matter how much time we spend outside.
So, pharmacy grade SPF50+ UVA + UVB cream should be a good choice. Something that's also sold in the EU since all that stuff is tested to the same standards here.
But the thing here is that it is actually not allowed to sell sunscreen that has a higher rating than SPF 50. Some manufacturers do mark it as SPF 50+ but that's as high as it goes.
A second important thing to keep in mind is to buy sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB.
We buy our stuff from the pharmacy and the 50+spf is so good my wife complains that she won't get tanned when using it no matter how much time we spend outside.
So, pharmacy grade SPF50+ UVA + UVB cream should be a good choice. Something that's also sold in the EU since all that stuff is tested to the same standards here.
08-26-18, 06:22 AM
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https://www.amazon.com/humangear-GoToob-Bottle/dp/B072XGSQHB/ref=asc_df_B072XGSQHB/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241933249810&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3413811131299742483&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hv qmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9020363&hvtargid=pla-475723307938&psc=1
I got mine at a local sporting goods store. You can usually get 3 of these for around $15. They are FAA approved too I guess. I put lotion in one and I buy my GU gel in bulk so that goes in these too for biking.
08-26-18, 06:38 AM
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Have you read the directions on the package? I would start there.
08-26-18, 11:40 AM
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From everything I've read, stuff like 70-100 SPF is huge overkill. SPF 30 gives you around 95% protection, and the higher numbers provide just a tiny bit more, but at much greater cost. One of the tricks to using sunscreen is to apply it in the morning, well before you go outside and start sweating. I've been using Wal-mart's generic No-Ad SPF 30 sunscreen for decades now, and it works just fine. I lube up my face, neck, ears and forearms while I'm still doing my morning coffee and internet surfing, and I've been riding in the south Georgia summer sun for 3+ hours almost daily, with no reapplication, and I haven't even gotten close to being sunburnt.
08-26-18, 12:34 PM
#19
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You just can't ride with a bandanna on your face, unfortunately.
This looks wicked though.
This looks wicked though.
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08-26-18, 12:36 PM
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Applying sunscreen (and washing it off after) was a subject of enough frustration that I went to a long sleeve breathable jersey, and then for my all-day century ride added a da-brim helmet brim along with the self-made vent cover I was already using. Looked like a dork (though given I was riding a unicycle that was rather unavoidable) but basically managed without any sunscreen.
The shade from the full size model was pretty substantial - starting before dawn I brought a small tube of sunscreen anyway thinking I might want it on my face or neck come midmorning, but with trees and hills often blocking the low-angle paths didn't feel the need.
The one place I should have had it but didn't was between the hem of my shorts and the top of my knee protection; with an older set of same brand shorts there was no gap there, but with the pair I wore there was an inch wide strip that got lightly burned. I'm inclined to try to make some sort of loose extension as a physical barrier there.
The shade from the full size model was pretty substantial - starting before dawn I brought a small tube of sunscreen anyway thinking I might want it on my face or neck come midmorning, but with trees and hills often blocking the low-angle paths didn't feel the need.
The one place I should have had it but didn't was between the hem of my shorts and the top of my knee protection; with an older set of same brand shorts there was no gap there, but with the pair I wore there was an inch wide strip that got lightly burned. I'm inclined to try to make some sort of loose extension as a physical barrier there.
08-26-18, 12:44 PM
#21
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What time of day do you ride? Here is sunny Florida during the summer months we ride in the early AM. I'm usually home before 10:30.
I use SPF 55 year round and have no problems. But every checkup my dermotologist finds spots to spray that are along the helmet line where the skin is covered by the foam shell of the helmet. Go figure.
I use SPF 55 year round and have no problems. But every checkup my dermotologist finds spots to spray that are along the helmet line where the skin is covered by the foam shell of the helmet. Go figure.
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I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
08-26-18, 07:18 PM
#22
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I use the spf100 I think nutragena spray stuff. It’s like 14$ a can. I burn pretty easily and my loving wife worries about this kind of stuff. I learned that some do work better than others and 100spf doesn’t always mean 100spf. Anyways the spray stuff I use now works well but as already stated it’s super important to wait 20-30 before heading out side. Mine says this on the directions. I also reapply on hot days every 90 minutes because of sweat. Since I started to reapply to arms and face on hot days I have not burned in two seasons. I have used a store brand lotion type 70spf and I burned. Walmart to be exact. I don’t skimp on block anymore. Also mine has an expiration date. It actually works less the older it gets. Crazy I thought it was crap to get you to buy more but my dermatologist said nope, expired should be thrown. Usually not an issue except for leftovers from one year to next.
Its a pain to carry it but I got some small goo tubes and put just enough lotion type for reapplication during the ride. I dont like to carry more than I have too but this is worth the trouble!
Its a pain to carry it but I got some small goo tubes and put just enough lotion type for reapplication during the ride. I dont like to carry more than I have too but this is worth the trouble!
08-26-18, 07:25 PM
#23
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Zinc oxide on your cheeks and this on your nose:
https://www.nozkon.com/
https://www.nozkon.com/
08-26-18, 08:33 PM
#25
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This works for me
