How much sunscreen is enough?

Sep 17, 2014

Ame S.

Hullo all!

So I was on a mega sunscreen hunt sincd forever. I have sensitive, oily, acne prone skin that is almost impossible to gind a sunscreen for since I am allergic to Titanium Dioxide, Retinyl Palmitate, Stearates and a few other super commin ingredients. Having tried over 100 tubes from the highest to the lowest end, I decided to ask a dermat and he came up with two suggestions:
Elta MD UV Clear sunscreen
Solbar Zinc Cream SPF 38

The Elta MD gave me a rash because it has lactic acid, I just bought a tube of Solbar and it seems to be working okay. So my question is, how much sunscreen do you ladies use on the face? Three little drops of Solbar Zinc are more than enough for me since I am already oily and it spreads like a dream. I am wondering, is it enough?

Sep 17, 2014

Ame S.

*since
*find
*common And sorry for the long read.

Sep 17, 2014

Becky J.

They say a teaspoon of product is required for the face and neck so that you get adequate coverage.

Sep 17, 2014

Kitty K.

Definitely a generous amount, a pea size is nothing.

An experiment was actually done and in order to obtain the coverage that's advertised for Sunscreen.

You can read about it here...
http://www.brightestbulbinthebox.com/2013/06/how-much-is-2-milligrams-per-centimeter.html?m=1
I layer mine, as the amount is ridiculous, but layering is always recommended.

Sep 17, 2014

Shelley W.

Pea size does nothing in regards to protection. I go with a teaspoon amount and it covers my neck as well. And a shot glass worth for the rest of the body.

Sep 17, 2014

Mariana E.

Is it mandatory to re-apply every TWO HOURS? Someone told me that and it put me in a pickle, since I wouldn't like to smear it all over my make up or wash my face and then putting it ALL on all over again, several times a day!

Sep 17, 2014

Kitty K.

@Mariana
For me, it depends on the location.
I re-apply if I'm working the road, at the farm, or outdoors in general.
Usually those are the days I don't put an ounce of make up on.

However, if I'm indoors and.only run outside to get the mail sort of thing then I don't reapply.

Sep 17, 2014

Ame S.

Oh my, a teaspoon would make my face turn into a greaseball. Do you ladies use face powder after?

Sep 17, 2014

Kitty K.

Have you ever waited for it to absorb? I agree that chemical sunscreens especially can create a greasy face, but after a bit it's not as greasy. I have dry skin so I do not powder my face  afterwards

Sep 17, 2014

Ame S.

Thanks kitty, I am waiting for it to absorb, as I type. I think its going to take some time for me to get used to it.

Sep 17, 2014

Ame S.

Thank you Shelley, Mariana, Jacqyln and Becky for your inputs.

Sep 17, 2014

Kitty K.

If anything you can always blot with blotting paper or some tissue :)

Sep 17, 2014

Ame S.

Yes I just did that, thank you Kitty. My face wasn't really absorbing more than 3 drops, it just sat there. Blotted and I noticed some sunscreen on the paper so I think I will stick to less for now. I don't have much sun exposure as is.

Sep 17, 2014

Buttercup x.

@Mariana - that's what the lady in the pharmacy told me too and apparently it's true cause after a while the protection just kinda vanishes (I am talking out of experience here, I didn't reapply while tanning once and I got burned badly)
I usually simply use bb cream or no foundation at all on those days

Sep 18, 2014

Traci L.

It's a nickel size for your face shot glass for whole body ,dime size for serums pea size for retinols or retin A

Sep 19, 2014

Jane C.

Thank you Traci! By the way I posted this very question last week and didn't get one response so I am happy to know now! I will apply more but not feel the need to reapply if I am basically indoors all day!