Dermatologist recommended I use a different sunscreen

[throttleplate]

Had a routine yearly skin checkup and dr found a very small scab like thing on my scalp so she removed it, other than that all was fine. We talked about sunscreen and the bad ingrediants contained in them such as Oxybenzone and Evabenzone which cause cancer.

She reccomended a sunscreen from Australia called Blue Lizzard sensitive skin sunscreen which contains none of the above mentioned ingrediants, its based mainly of zinc which many years ago i used to put on my nose when i was out in my jetboat tubing and water skiing.

 

It was a thick white paste and my nose was white like vanilla frosting but now its more of a sheer sunscreen with a very little chalky look depending on how dark your skin is. I went to wallmart and bought some and will use it this weekend as its gonna be sunny and 75 here in north dakota. Will also use the gaitor pulled over my face when sun is direct onto my face. The bottle it comes in will also turn a blueish color when it detects harmfull sun rays.

https://bluelizardsunscreen.com/

 

 

[TnRiver46]

Sunscreen causing cancer…… pick your poison ? We come by cancer honestly in my family, just hand it down directly 

[casts_by_fly]

mineral sunscreens are effective, but they don't rub in very well.  A friend has to use them because he has sensitive skin.

 

Oxybenzone is an endocrine disruptor which is the biggest safety issue.  The cancer risk is related to the hormonal interference, primarily breast and thyroid tumors, not acute skin contact and skin cancer.  And the risk of cancer from useage is far lower than the risk of skin cancer by the sun with non-usage.

[throttleplate]

A bit more of the differance between chemical sunscreen and mineral sunscreen.

Chemical vs Mineral Sunscreens

Chemical Sunscreens are the most common type of sunscreen and can typically be found on shelves at any drugstore or supermarket. The chemicals absorb into the deeper layers of your skin, allowing the sun’s rays to be absorbed as well. The chemicals provide protection by converting the absorbed UV rays into heat, which is released into the skin. UV light can also destroy the chemicals in the sunscreen, leaving you unprotected.

Mineral-based sunscreens, on the other hand, use Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide (sometimes both) to form an invisible barrier on your skin’s surface, which reflects and scatters UV rays away from your body. These minerals do not degrade in UV light, so you stay protected. When you use a mineral sunscreen, the sunscreen’s active ingredients do not absorb into your body, which can reduce the chance of irritation.

 

[Dirtyeggroll]

I cannot stand sunscreen, but I have a real fear of skin cancer.

 

i try cover as much of my skin as possible.

[J Francho]

Been using Blue Lizard for a decade or more. Great stuff, when you don't want to cover up, which is way more effective than any sun screen. 

[Glenn]

I'm not sold on the mineral-based sunscreens.  I tried 3 of the top ones recommended by consumer reports, and each one had application issues and therefore coverage issues.  I didn't feel any of them offered better protection than traditional sunscreen. Plus, none of them were "invisible".  Most were chalky and greasy, leaving a whitish film on my skin.

[Will Ketchum]

Any name brand sun screen is probably effective. Most effective is a long sleeve shirt and a hat with the broadest all around brim you can find. Cover up. Polarized sun glasses too to save your eyes,

[MN Fisher]

37 minutes ago, Will Ketchum said:

Polarized sun glasses too to save your eyes,

I cannot stress this one enough - I didn't wear sunglasses when I should have for many years...now my right eye is plastic cause the 'original equipment' got cancer from the UV rays causing damage.

[deaknh03]

35 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I cannot stress this one enough - I didn't wear sunglasses when I should have for many years...now my right eye is plastic cause the 'original equipment' got cancer from the UV rays causing damage.

The upside is at least you don't have to worry about that eye any more

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, deaknh03 said:

The upside is at least you don't have to worry about that eye any more

 

Downside is - if the left one goes, I don't have a 'spare'.

[casts_by_fly]

14 hours ago, Glenn said:

I'm not sold on the mineral-based sunscreens.  I tried 3 of the top ones recommended by consumer reports, and each one had application issues and therefore coverage issues.  I didn't feel any of them offered better protection than traditional sunscreen. Plus, none of them were "invisible".  Most were chalky and greasy, leaving a whitish film on my skin.

 

16 hours ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

I cannot stand sunscreen, but I have a real fear of skin cancer.

 

i try cover as much of my skin as possible.

these two things are why mineral sunscreen isn’t right for most people. It’s a bigger to rub in and always leaves a film residue. That’s just how it works. It’s a physical barrier. If you can’t stand having that residue on your skin, then you won’t use it enough. 
 

also, if you don’t mind the heat, an spf 50 long sleeve hoodie is the same protection as mineral sunscreen and you can take it off when you get in the truck. 

[Glenn]

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

an spf 50 long sleeve

Yep, that's what I do. Long sleeves and long pants, 50spf, lightweight and breathable.  Usually AFTCO, SIMMS, or Columbia, plus sun gloves (I like AFTCO and SIMMS gloves the most).  

 

I've tried several buff designs from various companies, but having something over my face in 95+ degree weather just doesn't work for me.  So...I use sunscreen.  Less than 90 degrees, buffs work ok.

 

Here's what I'm talking about:

 

 

[throttleplate]

Went fishin today in the sun and tried the Blue Lizzard for the first time. Applied it using a mirror so i coud see what it looked like while spreading it and was waiting for my face to look like casper the ghost.

It did leave a slight whitish chalky appearance and yeah i do use a liberal amount more than is needed but that doesnt bother me and dont care if it stands out to other people as i am happy to be protected. I really liked the way it spread and after using chemical lotions all my life i am after 1 day pleased with this product.

[txchaser]

This one leaves a little bit of white sheen on my face and hands, but that goes away after a while. I can put it on without getting on my hands. It's a little hard to wash off at the end of the day, but that's more of a bonus as I don't need to reapply. 

 

Big hat, long sleeves, etc. And I really don't like gaiters at all. Gloves go on as we get past spring though. 

 

 

[gim]

On 4/14/2024 at 12:47 AM, Glenn said:

but having something over my face

 

I cannot stand that either.  I feel like I'm wearing a mask again, while fishing.

 

I am more of a shorts and t shirt kind of guy in the summer but I'm very conscious about using sunscreen after a visit to the dermatologist years ago.  I'm also rarely out there during the peak time period of the day when the sun is the strongest.  I really have no interest in baking under the sun while fishing for hours on end.

[A-Jay]

I cover up everything when in the sun.

April to Oct which is a little crazy. 

Long sleeve shirt, long pants, socks & shoes.

Sun gloves, a face buff, quality eye wear & sun gloves as well.

I don't always have the buff completely covering my face,

so I wear sun screen.  I hate slathering that goop on my face,

but I do it anyway.

I Apply it in the morning while getting dressed.

I use this 

😎

A-Jay

 

[casts_by_fly]

I've settled on long pants of the super thin technical variety and a long sleeved, hooded and turtleneck shirt.  Its rare that its so hot that I have to take either off and both give me good coverage.  I don't put up the hood but it serves as good neck coverage.  I've started wearing fingerless gloves.  I do put sunscreen on my face and feet since I fish barefoot when its warm.  And that little bit of sunscreen is enough to cover the exposed bit of my fingers.  I don't mind sunscreen from a chemical perspective but I hate the greasiness of even the best stuff.  But, needs must as they say.

[J Francho]

The spf clothing actually feels cooler to me than direct sun. 

[MN Fisher]

^ total agreement - wearing even the darker gray HUK long sleeve keeps the sun from heating me up...it's cooler IN sun-shielding clothes than out of them.

[TnRiver46]

It’s good to let the sun hit your skin in moderation, opens up the blood vessels a tad. Stroke will get ya before skin cancer will statistically 

[throttleplate]

Here is a pic of me wearing the Blue Lizard sunscreen for the first time, my face does look a bit chalkey but i dont care.

[casts_by_fly]

Well count this as a PSA to everyone else.  Even after this thread I broke my own rules and got burnt for it. I went out Saturday and was on the water at 645am to cloudy drizzle and no windy. I was in full long sleeves and pants (rain gear) all day, but I decided I didn’t feel like wearing my gloves. And I didn’t feel like putting my contacts in so my polarized glasses stayed in the truck.  And I had cleaned out the boat over the winter to replace the sunscreen that was in there with fresh stuff, but never put the fresh stuff in. And then of course I stayed WAAAAY later than planned and was out in it for 6 hours of beating sunshine, but since it was so windy I didn’t even notice. And now, 48+ hours later my face is on fire still and the backs of my hands are still bright pink.