Beauty

[Feline Fine]

Happy to hear that you're a 'tuffie' and extra blessed, F1.

I provided this link, in order of highest customer ratings, as there are several in varying price ranges that are recommended by dermatologists, as well as by consumers with skin cancer and other experience.

I'm blessed, too, that my 2003 basal cell carcinoma has (so far) yet to return, nor have I developed another form.

Many more blessings of good health to you. 8)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_st_review-rank?keywords=zinc+oxide+facial+sunscreen&qid=1404673650&rh...

[dosey]

On 7/6/2014 Colonel Meow said:

On 7/6/2014 Dosey said:

On 7/6/2014 gazelle77 said:

I am so glad you are a survivor and and being proactive!~ I am a big advocate of sun protection. When I walk outside, besides my sunscreen, I use UV protected hat with a back flap for my neck, arm uv protective sleeves and hand uv protective gloves. I usually use a variety of sunscreens, I like Neutrogena brand 100 spf.

I am 59 and as a child used no sunscreen ever.... got brown as a berry in the summer and had many sunburns sadly No one was proactive back in the 60'a and 70's.... Sun screen was not discussed. I only hope my last 20 years of being very careful can make up for some of the bad stuff I did as a child and young adult. Thankfully THIS GENERATION has the information to do the right thing... if they choose to listen. It is hard when you are 20 something to not do what you want to do because at 20 something you are not thinking about your demise... and that is normal. I just think it can not be stressed enough about using your noggin and using sun protection. Tanning beds are so TOXIC!!!!!

My excessive burning and tanning occurred in my teens only. I have been wearing sunscreen for years. (I am almost 52 yo.) Unfortunately, these bad burns can change our DNA and be passed on to our kids. My son has already had two precancerous moles removed. One at 15, and one at 16. He has never tanned or had a sunburn. I regret every moment of unprotected sun exposure. My son does not deserve this.

Whaaaat? Is this true? I've never heard about this. Oh jeez, would my kids be in trouble!

Yes, it is true. I saw a PBS program on skin cancer that stated this, and my derm confirmed it. She sees my kids regularly, now. It is because of the last two annual checkups that she found the precancerous moles (confirmed through biopsies) on my son. She wants to (and is going to) see my son every six months because he has started developing more moles, and she does not want to wait annually to check his skin. We might go back to annual visits if his skin settles down and stops developing moles. The kids' pediatrician said that teens sometimes develop moles during this time of their lives, so there is a chance we could go back to annual visits. I also check my kids' skin monthly. Yes, skin cancer is also genetic.

[Colonel Meow]

On 7/6/2014 Dosey said:

On 7/6/2014 Colonel Meow said:

On 7/6/2014 Dosey said:

On 7/6/2014 gazelle77 said:

I am so glad you are a survivor and and being proactive!~ I am a big advocate of sun protection. When I walk outside, besides my sunscreen, I use UV protected hat with a back flap for my neck, arm uv protective sleeves and hand uv protective gloves. I usually use a variety of sunscreens, I like Neutrogena brand 100 spf.

I am 59 and as a child used no sunscreen ever.... got brown as a berry in the summer and had many sunburns sadly No one was proactive back in the 60'a and 70's.... Sun screen was not discussed. I only hope my last 20 years of being very careful can make up for some of the bad stuff I did as a child and young adult. Thankfully THIS GENERATION has the information to do the right thing... if they choose to listen. It is hard when you are 20 something to not do what you want to do because at 20 something you are not thinking about your demise... and that is normal. I just think it can not be stressed enough about using your noggin and using sun protection. Tanning beds are so TOXIC!!!!!

My excessive burning and tanning occurred in my teens only. I have been wearing sunscreen for years. (I am almost 52 yo.) Unfortunately, these bad burns can change our DNA and be passed on to our kids. My son has already had two precancerous moles removed. One at 15, and one at 16. He has never tanned or had a sunburn. I regret every moment of unprotected sun exposure. My son does not deserve this.

Whaaaat? Is this true? I've never heard about this. Oh jeez, would my kids be in trouble!

Yes, it is true. I saw a PBS program on skin cancer that stated this, and my derm confirmed it. She sees my kids regularly, now. It is because of the last two annual checkups that she found the precancerous moles (confirmed through biopsies) on my son. She wants to (and is going to) see my son every six months because he has started developing more moles, and she does not want to wait annually to check his skin. We might go back to annual visits if his skin settles down and stops developing moles. The kids' pediatrician said that teens sometimes develop moles during this time of their lives, so there is a chance we could go back to annual visits. I also check my kids' skin monthly. Yes, skin cancer is also genetic.

Oh, Dosey, of course I wasn't questioning whether skin cancer is genetic. I'm sorry you're going through this all over again with your kids.

I was specifically referencing the portion of your post that I bolded - the part about how bad burns can change your DNA and be passed on to your kids. I had just never heard this before.

[MarenSeattle]

On 7/6/2014 Dosey said:

On 7/6/2014 MarenSeattle said:

I agree -- worth the $$$. I just spent $45 on Suntegrity (for a whopping 1.7 oz) and am eyeing Marie Veronique Organic, either $48 or $58 for 2oz. I just look at sunscreen as my drug. :-)

The DHC sounds very nice, but I prefer a higher level of zinc in my sunscreen (and I pay for it!!). But I'll sure recommend it to friends who aren't as overboard about it as I am. :-) Thanks.

I understand completely. When I was a teen, I burned myself to a crisp on a regular basis. One time, my shoulders were so burned that they bled. Now, I am paying for it. Skin cancers and lots of precancerous moles. My derm sees me every six months, but the damage is done.

Sunscreen is important to me. I keep it in my car and in my purse. My purse sunscreen is Neutrogena's Sunblock Stick Pure and Free Baby SPF 60 (pink packaging). It is a physical sunscreen (ZO and TD). I like it because it is a solid and will not make a mess in my purse if the cap comes off. It is great for the back of my hands.

My biggest complaint about sunscreens is that they are so greasy. I would love to find one that has a high level of zinc oxide that would work on my face during the day. Of course, when I go to the pool (or the beach on a rare occasion), I wear the heavy duty stuff because I get sweaty and grimey anyway.

I have read that you know a lot about sunscreens. Maybe you can answer this question. The stick sunscreen I mentioned above has an SPF of 60, yet the ZO is 4.7%, and the TD is 6%. How can the SPF be so high with such a small percentage of physical sunscreen? Shouldn't there be a direct correlation between the SPF and the percentage of active ingredients?

Don't forget -- SPF is only rating UVB rays -- not UVA rays. I always have to throw that out there.

I don't understand how each manufacturer determines their rating -- it could be, in the case of the Neutrogena product, the FORM (stick) it's in. Longer lasting? More likely to apply more thickly? I honestly don't know. Your DHC White, on the other hand, has 5% TO, 10% ZO, yet says it offers "moderate" protection.

I've yet to find a definitive answer to what percentage of zinc in a product is required to give THE BEST protection available -- possibly because it depends on the delivery system? That's why I just go all out and get the absolute highest I can find.

By the way TO protects against UVB, but only 2 of the 3 UVA wavelengths. Zinc pretty much covers it all, so I was at a loss as to why almost every product felt compelled to add TO. Then I read that it's less expensive than zinc, so probably used as a "filler". Don't know if that's accurate, but it would make sense to use that in combo with the zinc to keep the end cost down. It's not a bad filler, but just doesn't do quite the job as zinc.

Shiseido has some products that aren't too greasy -- in fact they're very nice. I used both the facial cream and the face/body lotion. (The lotion was actually more emollient than the cream, and I loved it under my makeup.) But you need to actually pick up the tube/bottle and read the percentage of zinc on the back. They both used to hover around 19% - 20%, but it seems a though they're changing their formulas a few times a year. Last time I checked one of them had 16-something % (still respectible, IMO). But they don't seem to list the percentages on their site, nor does Sephora these days (also available at Nordstrom). You might want to check these out and get a sample if you can.

But I'm still on the hunt -- which is why I'm eyeing the Marie Veronique Organics. It's wearying -- and expensive! :-)

Sorry I didn't have the answer to your question -- I'd like to know that, too. If I figure it out or find an explanation, I'll be sure to post it. :-)

[F1wild]

Thank you for the cheers! Melanoma is not a punishment for doing something wrong or not following your doctor's suggestions. Please, consider not being judgmental. Plus, it's not always a result of being a sun worshipper. Mine is considered partially genetic. There are many forms of melanoma...just ask Bob Marley! ;-)

AGAIN, I'm not asking for medical advice, as my Mayo specialists are quite adequate. I'm just asking for what you use or tried and didn't like. The info is for everyone, NOT me, personally.

Some of the sunscreens or moisturizers w/SPF I've tried recently (not necessarily for my main daily formula), that I've not seen mentioned are:

- Vanicream sunscreen SPF 50

- La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 sunscreen/primer

- PTR Retinol Fusion AM

One that I just read about is CeraVe Suncare sunscreen for face w/"naturally sourced microfine zinc oxide. Anyone aware of this?

I'm 52yo (still considered mid-to-late 40s, right? ), but am told I look late 20s. Blonde, blue eyes, light color, but tanned golden (didn't burn) dryish skin. I've always taken care of my skin with quality products starting around 12-13yo. One of the factors qualifying a good product for me is the melt factor. On the rare occasion I step outside on a 111F day does the product melt down my face?

Cheers everyone! And be kind.

[sun8shine]

I am not sure of your skin type. I really enjoy using the Paula's Choice Superlight Daily Defense 30.

It is a moisturizer and sunscreen in one and it dries to a sheer matte finish. It makes an excellent primer under makeup.

Paula's choice also has a number of foundations with true, rated SPF in them so you can double up on your sun protection.

Her website is www.paulaschoice.com her products are also available through the dermstore.

Her quality is excellent and her prices are very reasonable. She also has a number of videos and extended information available on her website (look under community) and in the beautipedia portion of her website her team reviews sunscreens from many manufacturers.

Best of luck with your ongoing fight with cancer and I am sorry that there was such a foolish and offense reply to your simple question.

[Feline Fine]

On 7/6/2014 Dosey said:

On 7/6/2014 Colonel Meow said:

On 7/6/2014 Dosey said:

On 7/6/2014 gazelle77 said:

I am so glad you are a survivor and and being proactive!~ I am a big advocate of sun protection. When I walk outside, besides my sunscreen, I use UV protected hat with a back flap for my neck, arm uv protective sleeves and hand uv protective gloves. I usually use a variety of sunscreens, I like Neutrogena brand 100 spf.

I am 59 and as a child used no sunscreen ever.... got brown as a berry in the summer and had many sunburns sadly No one was proactive back in the 60'a and 70's.... Sun screen was not discussed. I only hope my last 20 years of being very careful can make up for some of the bad stuff I did as a child and young adult. Thankfully THIS GENERATION has the information to do the right thing... if they choose to listen. It is hard when you are 20 something to not do what you want to do because at 20 something you are not thinking about your demise... and that is normal. I just think it can not be stressed enough about using your noggin and using sun protection. Tanning beds are so TOXIC!!!!!

My excessive burning and tanning occurred in my teens only. I have been wearing sunscreen for years. (I am almost 52 yo.) Unfortunately, these bad burns can change our DNA and be passed on to our kids. My son has already had two precancerous moles removed. One at 15, and one at 16. He has never tanned or had a sunburn. I regret every moment of unprotected sun exposure. My son does not deserve this.

Whaaaat? Is this true? I've never heard about this. Oh jeez, would my kids be in trouble!

Yes, it is true. I saw a PBS program on skin cancer that stated this, and my derm confirmed it. She sees my kids regularly, now. It is because of the last two annual checkups that she found the precancerous moles (confirmed through biopsies) on my son. She wants to (and is going to) see my son every six months because he has started developing more moles, and she does not want to wait annually to check his skin. We might go back to annual visits if his skin settles down and stops developing moles. The kids' pediatrician said that teens sometimes develop moles during this time of their lives, so there is a chance we could go back to annual visits. I also check my kids' skin monthly. Yes, skin cancer is also genetic.

Excellent docs; very thorough and erring on the safer side.

All it takes are a few really bad sunburns as a child, and decades later (mine took 30-35 years), it's become skin cancer.

Sun protection with a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has at least a 30 SPF (50 is better) is a must everyday and year-round, especially if you or your kids' skin tone is very fair or fair or is extra sensitive to the sun, including due to medication(s)

And it's never too late to implement this healthy habit. 8)

I commend you on the monthly skin checks; I do my own skin self-exams when I do my boobies one. Plus, yearly full-body skin screens by a dermatologist are a must for everyone, and twice a year if you've already had any form of skin cancer.

[Feline Fine]

BTW ya'll, our skin is our body's largest organ, made up of an infinite number of cells.

[luvmygumbo]

Hi F1Wild,

Congratulations on being a melanoma survivor! I have a sibling who has stage 4 melanoma so I know that I have to be diligent with using sunscreen.

I just got back from a beach vacation in FL and used various Elta MD sunscreens. For extended outdoor activities, I like the Elta MD Sport spf 50. It worked great and no sign of a burn at all. It has a high percentage of zinc oxide, but it spreads very nicely. For my daily facial sunscreen, I have been using the tinted spf 41. I put that on and then some BB pot rouge and I am presentable for running errands, etc.

I have purchased my Elta products through Skinmedix.com. I see that they even have sample packs that you can purchase to try before committing to the full sizes.

HTH!

[Feline Fine]

On 7/6/2014 F1wild said:

Thank you for the cheers! Melanoma is not a punishment for doing something wrong or not following your doctor's suggestions. Please, consider not being judgmental. Plus, it's not always a result of being a sun worshipper. Mine is considered partially genetic. There are many forms of melanoma...just ask Bob Marley! ;-)

AGAIN, I'm not asking for medical advice, as my Mayo specialists are quite adequate. I'm just asking for what you use or tried and didn't like. The info is for everyone, NOT me, personally.

Some of the sunscreens or moisturizers w/SPF I've tried recently (not necessarily for my main daily formula), that I've not seen mentioned are:

- Vanicream sunscreen SPF 50

- La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 sunscreen/primer

- PTR Retinol Fusion AM

One that I just read about is CeraVe Suncare sunscreen for face w/"naturally sourced microfine zinc oxide. Anyone aware of this?

I'm 52yo (still considered mid-to-late 40s, right? ), but am told I look late 20s. Blonde, blue eyes, light color, but tanned golden (didn't burn) dryish skin. I've always taken care of my skin with quality products starting around 12-13yo. One of the factors qualifying a good product for me is the melt factor. On the rare occasion I step outside on a 111F day does the product melt down my face?

Cheers everyone! And be kind.

Fantastic that you go to Mayo Clinic -affiliated doctors!

You probably already know this but for those who may not, any sunscreen that's mostly or all zinc oxide and/or titanium oxide (which makes it "physical") is healthier than a chemical one which can seep into your bloodstream.

I'd Google "microfine" zinc oxide, and also go to CeraVe's website, to check out what exactly that means.

I'm 51 (very fair skin, green eyes, darkish brown hair, dry skin), BTW, and have been told (I can't be totally objective myself, of course) that I can pass for younger. Beauty experts say that 7 years younger is a realistic goal to aim for, so I try to keep thinking 44, LOL.

That "melt factor" is a great tip, and it sounds like you've done more sun protection for yourself - especially starting at such a young age - than most of us have here and in the universe. 8)