Sunscreen vs. Sunblock.

[hisno1girl]

Now that I'm walking/running I'm really concerned about sun damage to my skin.

I wear long sleeves & long pants, no matter how hot it is because I don't want to get any browner than I already am.  I wear my hair up in a pony and wear sunglasses and a visor to minimize the sun hitting my face.

What do I put on my hands?  Sunscreen isn't enough right? Will sunblock prevent my skin from getting tan?

[Deleted]

uh, there's a difference?

i think what matters is the SPF protection and whether it's broad spectrum. otherwise, it's a matter of chemical sensitivity/mother earth/etc.

[margotmacomber]

(huh)

[hisno1girl]

I don't know if there's a difference!! All I've ever used is sunscreen and then I saw something that said sunblock.

I still get tan with sunscreen. I need something that will block out the sun completely for my hands

[AmeliaBedelia]

From what I understand, most brands now contain ingredients of both sunblock (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, usually) and a sunscreen (which blocks UVA rays). So really, there's no difference, even if they're labeled one way or the other.

If it's broad spectrum and contains a sunblock ingredient, you should be good. I like Neutrogena's ultra sheer line, especially for hands, since its not greasy.

[Deleted]

May 20, 2013 15:08:14 GMT -5 hisno1girl said:

I don't know if there's a difference!! All I've ever used is sunscreen and then I saw something that said sunblock.

I still get tan with sunscreen. I need something that will block out the sun completely for my hands

sunscreen is stuff that blocks with stuff that sort of sinks in.  how, i don't know.  the magic of chemicals.

sunblock is stuff like zinc that blocks by forming a barrier that prevents the sun from getting through.  which is why sometimes you look a little ashy if you use it.


the efficacy depends on if it's broad spectrum (that's the most important) and a good SPF.  and of course if you apply and reapply it with the requisite frequency.  over a long time, you still may experience some tanning effect, even if you apply a TON of sunscreen.

i'm the parent of a pale pale casper child, so i'm all up on my sunburn prevention tips.  my kid is super cute and mispronounces it "skunkscreen."

[Deleted]

Sunblock contains physical blockers (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) that (like the name says) physically block the UVA & UVB rays. Sunscreen contains chemical blockers that absorb the rays before they penetrate yous skin.

My derm recommends sunblock with at least a 8% concentration of one of the two blockers. I usually use baby sunblock or Shiseido.

[irrelephant]

Helpful info and tips here: www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/27/sunscreen-labels-fda/2113075/

The FDA says that as of 2011, there is no such thing as "sunblock", among other things.

[Deleted]

May 20, 2013 15:16:18 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

Sunblock contains physical blockers (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) that (like the name says) physically block the UVA & UVB rays. Sunscreen contains chemical blockers that absorb the rays before they penetrate yous skin.

My derm recommends sunblock with at least a 8% concentration of one of the two blockers. I usually use baby sunblock or Shiseido.

This. Also A Physical Sunblock Is Generally Thicker In Consistency & Can Give A White Cast To The Skin. However, As A Super PaLe Redhead I HaveToUse A Physical Kind. I Use Coppertone Waterbabies Pure Spf 50.

WTF does My Phone Reply Capitalize Each Damn Word?!?!

[Deleted]

May 20, 2013 15:24:17 GMT -5 @avocado said:

May 20, 2013 15:16:18 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

Sunblock contains physical blockers (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) that (like the name says) physically block the UVA & UVB rays. Sunscreen contains chemical blockers that absorb the rays before they penetrate yous skin.

My derm recommends sunblock with at least a 8% concentration of one of the two blockers. I usually use baby sunblock or Shiseido.

This. Also A Physical Sunblock Is Generally Thicker In Consistency & Can Give A White Cast To The Skin. However, As A Super PaLe Redhead I HaveToUse A Physical Kind. I Use Coppertone Waterbabies Pure Spf 50.

WTF does My Phone Reply Capitalize Each Damn Word?!?!

Yep, I'm usually an iridescent purplish shade when I'm out running in the summer. It's not pretty, but neither is skin cancer!

[Deleted]

I just realized two days ago that my Eucerin SPF 15 body lotion only blocks UVB rays, not UVA rays. UVB rays are responsible for sunburn and skin cancer. UVA rays are the ones that cause aging and some cancer. www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb/understanding-uva-and-uvb

I'm bummed because I bought the lotion to avoid looking like a handbag in 30 years from walking around town all summer.

[snickers]

I never thought that there was a difference...I am glad I am not the only one, lol

[weelass24]

A physical blocker is better, but if you aren't prone to skin cancer/pale/covered in moles, then either is really ok. Again, broad spectrum is best, and then its just a matter of preference if you want chemicals or physical blocks. but for the physical to truly work, you need to slather it on so you are actually white. Some people aren't a fan of that look. I am, but I've already had basal cell carcinoma removed from my back, so I'm a fan of anything that keeps my skin healthy.

[Deleted]

Gloves?

[jenna]

We use sunblock on E.

www.ewg.org/skindeep/

Is a good site for information.

[AHappierHour]

When I run/walk outside I nuetrogena sport face and coppertone sport spray on my body. The sport face doesn't get runny when I sweat and burn my eyes.

[hisno1girl]

May 20, 2013 16:12:43 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

Gloves?

Gloves+long sleeves+long pants+hat+sunglasses = vampire

I think someone would call the police:  "Um, yes, 911? There's a woman running around and she's covered from head to toe and it's 90º out.  TERRORIST!!