Do You Think SPF is Important in a Daytime Moisturizer?

[CoolBurn]

Many moisturizers contain SPF these days. But isn't an SPF like 15 short lived? do they not require reapplication through the day? So how important is it to choose one with an SPF? I never reapply during the day.

[Steavis]

I just started doing this today. I wasn't using any moisturizer at all and decided to start (based on the theory that if I moisturize, maybe my skin won't over-produce oil and maybe I won't get so many blackheads on my nose). I figured if I'm going to be smearing stuff on every day it might as well have SPF in it; I burn easily, especially on my nose, so maybe this way I'll be less likely to get skin cancer. I went with Neutrogena Healthy Defense with SPF 50, based on a number of recommendations here.

[mandoman]

I use oil of olay spf 15 moisturizer every day on my face seems to help when your in the sun but, if your in the sun all day you might want something with a higher spf

[Jawaburger]

Unless you work out side, I don't see the need. Of course I have no scientific evidence to back me up, but I don't think you will get skin cancer walking to your car. If I am going to spend some time out side I will put on sun screen though.

[kingfisher]

I use one with SPF. Every day.

The chemical sunblocks are relatively photo-unstable, and therefore the UVA protection wanes with exposure to sunlight. I'm not sure it wanes all that much over time unless there is exposure. You could always buy one with non-chemical UVA blockers. I do believe it is important to block UVA (and to a lesser extent, UVB) on a daily basis, even if you are not planning on spending time outside. But then again, there is a long history of frequent skin cancer in my family.

[Go West Young Man]

Let's say that it can't hurt.

[VladTepes]

Funny you should ask....

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/280483-Demystifying-Sunscreens-and-SPF


Cosmetics containing sunscreen

Many make-up and cosmetic products include an SPF rating on the label. This means that chemicals have been added to the base products to provide sun protection. These products are subject to the same testing procedures as any sunscreen; however it is important to note that some may not be broad spectrum or water resistant. Remember too that make-up and cosmetics are rarely reapplied every two hours.

[Bellac]

I would have to agree with VladTepes. Technically you are supposed to reapply sunscreen every few hours, and I don't think you are reapplying any moisturizer with that frequency. From a practical standpoint, lets say its the last thing on your skin care routine, and you leave your house in 20 or so minutes to go to work. In that scenario, having some SPF wouldn't hurt, and in the long term it might even help.

Also, I could be wrong about this, but SPF does not imply wide range spectrum protection. The bigger the SPF the longer it lasts. It is the ingredients that determines the spectrum range that the sunscreen protects.

[Matt555]

If you are in the sun, and you want to prevent cancer, than SPF is a must. SPF 15 is pretty low....generally mixed in with facial moisturizers.

[VladTepes]

Have a read of the article I linked - talks al about the SPF business !

[DoubleB]

Unless you work out side, I don't see the need. Of course I have no scientific evidence to back me up, but I don't think you will get skin cancer walking to your car.

I disagree. My father has had several basiloma's while he has an office job. So in my opinion you can get skincancer from walking to your car. Ofcourse thats based on the sort of skin you have (white, sensitive skin that easily burns. He, fortunately, is clean now, since a basiloma does not spread itself in your body, but the oncologist advised him to put on a moisturizer with SPF 50 every day. No matter what weather it is that day. UV radiation is consistently around (ofcourse in different variables. On a hot summer day with a burning sun, UV radiation will be much higher then on a cold cloudy winter day).

So yes, I see the benefit of applying a moisturizer with SPF on a daily basis.

[Jawaburger]

I disagree. My father has had several basiloma's while he has an office job. So in my opinion you can get skincancer from walking to your car. Ofcourse thats based on the sort of skin you have (white, sensitive skin that easily burns. He, fortunately, is clean now, since a basiloma does not spread itself in your body, but the oncologist advised him to put on a moisturizer with SPF 50 every day. No matter what weather it is that day. UV radiation is consistently around (ofcourse in different variables. On a hot summer day with a burning sun, UV radiation will be much higher then on a cold cloudy winter day).

So yes, I see the benefit of applying a moisturizer with SPF on a daily basis.

I am sure there is a benefit. As I said, if I am going to spend any length of time outside, I will apply sunscreen. I think genetics and location have a lot to do with it. My Grandpa died at 95 having never worn sun screen and he worked in his garden outside everyday weather permitting. He never had skin cancer. I am sure he could have been lucky in that regard.

Also, as pointed out above, unless you are reapplying your sunscreen every two hours, it is not going to be as effective. I am sure I will be smited with a giant melanoma now that I have said all that.:001_unsur

[kingfisher]

As I mentioned earlier, UVA blockers are not photostable. That's the rationale for reapplying every two hours. When you are not spending time in the sun, they maintain their potency for a much longer period of time.

[eyebright]

Randall, do you recommend any particular brand of titanium dioxide/zinc containing sunscreen? Skin cancer runs in my Irish family!


As I mentioned earlier, UVA blockers are not photostable. That's the rationale for reapplying every two hours. When you are not spending time in the sun, they maintain their potency for a much longer period of time.

[JoshuaNY]

I think the 2 most important aspects of sunscreen is putting enough on and reapplying every few hours. So SPF in facial moisturizer is probably not doing all that much for you. That being said, I always use moisturizer with sunscreen. Its probably a false sense of security thing, but I figure its the same price as the non SPF stuff so it cant hurt me. Most of my time during the day is spent indoors, but for the few minutes that I am outside in the morning it is helping somewhat. If I am going to spend any amount of time outside though, I put on the real stuff over it.

[Michelia]

It really depends what you are trying to do. I do not think most people need to wear spf for protection for cancer. Unless you have a particular propensity. I have rosacea and I am highly sensitive to the sun. I wear a moisturizer with spf 30 and it protects me well. And it lasts all day. If I am going to be driving late in the afternoon and the sun is hitting me in the face I will reapply just around the area under my eyes where I catch more sun. I know this because if I ever take a shower during the day and not reapply I will burn. So I know that spf is working for me in the afternoons. I reapply only if the sun is hitting me directly.

That said, if your aim is to keep your skin looking young and wrinkle-free then you should use it everyday and never go outdoors without it on. Even for five minutes. Just apply it daily before you leave the house. I wish I had been doing this since I was young.

Anything over 30 or 45 spf is going to cost too much. When I am going to be out in the sun, I will use a 100 spf sunscreen. This costs a lot less than the equivalent spf moisturizer.

[kingfisher]

Randall, do you recommend any particular brand of titanium dioxide/zinc containing sunscreen? Skin cancer runs in my Irish family!

Michelle,

I've never tried them, but I really like the ingredients list for the Mexitan sunscreens. www.mexitan.com (http://www.mexitan.com).

I tend to use chemical sunscreens and reapply, or use chemical/physical combinations. One of the best is marketed by L'Oreal France and is available at amazon. It also contains Mexoryl, which is the best chemical UVA blocker currently available. It is approved for use in the USA, but it is virtually impossible to find any Mexoryl-containing sunscreens on the shelves anywhere in the United States.

LaRoche-Posay also makes some incredible sunscreens. These contain zinc, titanium dioxide, mexoryl, and avobenzone, plus some typical UVB blockers. They are marketed under the brand name Anthelios. These can also be found on amazon.com.

[SalvadorMontenegro]

Speaking of La Roche-Posay...

I'm going to try this:

http://www.amazon.com/La-Roche-Posay-Anthelios-Sunscreen-1-7-Ounce/dp/B002CML1XE/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1332266678&sr=1-1

I like the Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 50 that Steavis said he's using. However, I have extraordinarily oily skin and I'd prefer to use something that isn't a moisturizer.

Physical sunblocks tend to be way too heavy for me. I tried to use Olay Complete, but it made me look like I was wearing some sort of a mask.

[superbleu]

try a powder suncscreen, colorscience and jane ireland both make one.


Speaking of La Roche-Posay...

I'm going to try this:

http://www.amazon.com/La-Roche-Posay-Anthelios-Sunscreen-1-7-Ounce/dp/B002CML1XE/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1332266678&sr=1-1

I like the Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 50 that Steavis said he's using. However, I have extraordinarily oily skin and I'd prefer to use something that isn't a moisturizer.

Physical sunblocks tend to be way too heavy for me. I tried to use Olay Complete, but it made me look like I was wearing some sort of a mask.