I Hate Sunscreen

Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55, 70 & 85

There, I said it out loud.

I hate putting it on, I hate the feel of it on me, I hate moisturizers with sunscreen in them. I simply won’t buy those moisturizers, and my face seems no worse from having been naked to the sun thus far. I just don’t like the way my face feels when wearing makeup over sunscreen. All I can think about is ‘when can I wash this all off?’ I’m constantly aware that I’m wearing sunscreen under my makeup today and my skin feels tacky to the touch from all the product.

When I’m wearing sunscreen, even a sunscreen buried within moisturizer, I can always pick up the scent of the sunscreen which is a huge turn-off to me.

Sure, I’ll use sunscreen if I’m going to the beach, the pool, or any time I’m going to be out in the full sun. It’s a brutal sun, here, and I know my skin needs the protection. But, god, do I hate the greasiness that accompanies a full body application. It’s just so uncomfortable, wearing that body grease…being careful not to brush against anything in the house on the way out; getting the ink from a beach magazine smeared all over my hands and legs when pages meet slick skin. And if you’re driving to your destination, then it’s all over your car seat unless you cover it with a beach towel. What a hassle!

A couple of years ago I found a single sunscreen product that I can tolerate: a Neutrogena brand, advertised as a ‘dry’ sunscreen, and my goodness, it is. I actually wear it under makeup and it works! I’m not constantly wanting to wipe it off my face. It’s truly not greasy; nothing rubs off on me! I can actually put it on and forget about it. My kids, who protest the wearing of sunscreen out loud whereas I keep my loathing to myself, actually don’t mind the Neutrogena either. Of course, it’s not cheap and it’s never on sale. But for me, it’s worth it.

I probably will never wear sunscreen as a matter of daily habit. I’ll be one of those who applies it only when she’s heading out to be full on in the sun but thank goodness for this product because I can wear it, and my MAC, too. And people who really know me, know that this is just the way I roll.

I love being out in the sun and feeling it on my skin. It’s not about tanning, though I did that enough when I was younger. I’m careful about using sunscreen but I’m not hypervigilant about it. I don’t avoid the beach during midday or make my kids wear long-sleeved rash guards. Perhaps this makes me a shoddy mother, but when I balance the amount of time we’re really out in the full sun during the heat of the day over the course of a summer, it’s not all that much.

But I won’t deny it and I’ll say it again: I hate sunscreen. If you’ve got any recommendations for a good quality, dry sunscreen, I’m listening.

Maybe Neutrogena would like to be my corporate sponsor?

Comments

  1. I'm Julia says:

    You know, I've yet to find a sunscreen that doesn't cause an itchy rash. And I wonder about what years of exposure to their chemicals will do to us.

    Chemical concern hasn't made me give up Diet Coke yet. Too bad it doesn't make me itch.

  2. Jeff Kletter says:

    We call our product "the sunscreen for people who hate sunscreen". Check out KINeSYS.com.
    Check it out, if you are interested, I'd be happy to send you a travel size SPF 30 Fragrance Free spray to try.
    Regards,
    Jeff

  3. faye says:

    Hey Jeannie.. in response to your
    question about springs other than the Itchtucknee…. check out the
    webpage for Ginnie Springs.. in
    High Springs and is more popular with the Gainesville crowd than
    Itchtuck.

  4. Karen says:

    Ummm… you're not saying you hate sunscreen or anything, are ya? LOL.. I hear you, same deal here.. I have found Oil of Olay daily moisturizer with UV 15 or whatever, is good, non oily and light.

  5. Jeannie says:

    Yo, Jeff Kletter! Absolutely I'll accept a sunscreen sample of yours. I watched the video your name linked to and I'm intrigued enough to give it a test drive. But, whatcha got for my face?!

  6. Rubberbacon says:

    I don't want to sound like a nag but please visit your dermatologist annually. I've had 3 changing moles in the last 2 years, I also hate sunscreen but am starting to get more vigilant. I especially hate putting it on the baby, they move so fast!

  7. Donna says:

    I love the Melaleuca sunscreen. has that dry feel you can tolerate. Their moisturizer, which I also adore has sun protection as well. All very gentle. My youngest is highly sensitive to household chemicals and she is so happy that Melaleuca does not make her itch.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Neutrogena makes the only kind I can even remotely tolerate too. 2 kinds in fact.

    I can't do the other stuff. It all irritates my skin to boot.

    Zurg

  9. mcat says:

    Don't forget that you need a little sun to make vitamin D.I think experts recommend about 15 minutes each day of some skin exposure. Supposed to do something to keep your endocrine system healthy too.

  10. Rubberbacon says:

    Face options:
    I've been using Cetaphil 15spf for years but in my last visit to the dermetologist she recommended Eucerin 30spf. The Eucerin is lighter then Cetaphil. Both are non-prescription.

  11. Rosie says:

    We have discovered the spray sunscreens. My kids just hate being "lubed up" with the regular lotions. These spray lotions are a clear mist. I can spray all four kids in 1/2 the time it took me to put regular lotion on one. I have found that the coppertone clear mist lasts a long time-much longer than banana boat. This is the kind that you put on when you are spending the day in the sun. It is so easy to apply, dries almost instantly and has no greasy sliminess to it.

  12. Sally Cunliffe says:

    I'm with you… I too hate sunscreen… just watching people slap it on and thinking so snugly how they now have magic protection just bugs me too… so I avoid it… yes, sunscreen can be avoided… just say no to sunscreen and say yes to sensible hats, sensible amounts of time covered up, sensible use of sunglasses and scarves, and sensibly avoiding extra chemicals on your skin… ooooooo what a concept… skin cancers are for stupid people who don't take precautions and stay out of the mid-day sun.

  13. Anonymous says:

    …"skin cancers are for stupid people who don't take precautions and stay out of the mid-day sun. "

    Wow. This was an incredibly ignorant fucking comment.

    People sometimes DO take precautions and still get skin cancer, sometimes terminal. My father had Melanoma and never ever deliberately went in the sun. Get your head out of your ass and think before you speak.

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