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Sunscreen under brutal conditions
  • :)
    Ok, after endless hours of searching the internet I need real help. I have many sunscreen concerns.

    I am a professional firefighter and I spend MANY hours in the sun either training or putting out fires. I dutifully apply a generous amount of (Neutrogena Waterproof SPF 85) sunblock daily to protect myself but reapplying after sweating, getting wet, or every two hours is just NOT an option. Now some say I may be doing more harm than good.

    I also have heard of astaxanthin. Does it work? And to what degree?

    Or if I'm stuck using a lotion that wears off , can you at least point me towards a brand that will withstand these conditions best and will give a truly matte finish? (Neutrogena says its matte but isn't.) Or any other better ideas?

    By the way you guys ROCK! Thanks for your help.

    Cheers to women in unexpected places :)
  • Ally E.Ally E.
    i think it's sunscreen's property to be shiny. it can't be matte :(
  • :)
    Yeah, I'm worried you're right Alla. I'm really hoping one of the Beauty Brains will enlighten me. Thanks for the post
  • divegirl
    Aloe Gator claims to last 8 hours. It is available at REI and REI.com. I have not used it, so I don't know if it has a matte finish or not. But it may have to be a trade-off between longevity of the coverage with a non-shiny finish. My cyclist husband uses it for his long road rides (6+ hours) and it does keep him from burning.
  • Dreniva
    Here in the Philippines we have a product called Maxipeel Concealing Cream. It is a tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 that is VERY MATTE. I guess because of its mattifying stearic acid content. Stearic acid is a wax-like solid in pure foam. BTW, you should find a sunscreen with a high stearic acid, usually in the 2nd to 5th in the ingredients list and it is guaranteed to have mattifying effects.
  • :)
    I wonder what SPF I really need? I use the 85 in hopes that I will still have some coverage left even though I have sweat and rubbed a good portion off.
  • mo
    Hi, higher SPF does not mean that it lasts longer:
    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/29181.php
  • tsunamino
    Basically your sunscreen will come off, regardless. It's still best to apply every two hours. Look for sunscreens labeled "ultra sweatproof". They will last longer, but not all day. Sorry!
  • Ally E.Ally E.
    mo, I have experimented myself as a teenager. I have very fair skin and SPF15 needs to be reapplied every 50min, while SPF 50 can last me 3-4 hours without getting burned. Higher SPF degrades slower.
  • K
    Thank you for being a hero and saving lives!!

    You could try wearing a mineral powder foundation- many of which provide natural SPF. You could apply the minerals over your current sunscreen. The powder will absorb oil and sweat and will provide a much better looking, and longer lasting finish under harsh conditions than liquid makeup. It may also help your sunscreen stay on longer. Zinc Oxide is one of the best protectors from the sun, and coastalscents.com sells zinc oxide powder- "Safe for use on lips, eyes, face, nails." One ounce (which is a lot) is $3. You could dust this powder over your sunscreen or foundation for added SPF. Coastal Scents has a superb matte finish mineral foundation that is fantastic and will withstand almost anything. It contains zinc oxide powder- however they do not list the spf factor of their foundation. You could always ask...

    http://www.coastalscents.com/cfwebstore/index.cfm/product/333_46/zinc-oxide.cfm
    http://www.coastalscents.com/cfwebstore/index.cfm/category/63/cs-cosmetics-honey-matt-foundation.cfm

    good luck- and BE SAFE out there!
  • tsunamino
    Question: wouldn't mineral foundation just melt right off her face if she's out there fighting fires and saving all of us? I imagine that (1) mineral foundation doesn't do much unless you apply a thick layer of it and (2) it would come off if she sweats and wipes any of it off. Plus, getting makeup all over her helmet and gear can't be too much fun.
  • :)
    You all are touching my heart. Thank you for your concern. I can tell you are all truly thinking of what it is like out there. Yes, the mineral powder over sunscreen does work well. BUT it does wipe/sweat off and does get all over my gear. (not good thing)


    Ya know, being able to help people like you guys is why I love my job. Besides no one wants to be saved a blotchy skinned firefighter, Right?? Ha Ha
  • K
    Any makeup will wear off- it's just that mineral makeup wears better. For instance, many mineral foundations are water resistant- so they won't run and smudge like liquids. Powders absorb sweat and oil, which in turn allows them to adhere to the skin longer. I know that when I am playing sports, and i have a face dripping with sweat, my mineral makeup looks fine, amazingly. If I wear liquid however, my face looks streaky, blotchy, and gross. Mineral makeup feels light on the skin- which is good under hot conditions- and you don't need much for it to offer coverage. Less is more.

    I understand, :) , that wearing makeup may not be ideal for your profession- and any makeup has the ability to rub off. Applying the zinc oxide powder may be your best bet then. I don't know how the finish appears on the skin, but I would imagine it to be a fairly translucent powder. It would offer an incredible SPF boost, absorb sweat and oil- which will preserve the sunscreen underneath, and won't leave brown makeup stains on your gear.
  • tsunamino
    I believe MUFE has a spray that's supposed to set makeup and make it damn near waterproof. Maybe you could apply sunscreen, dust on the zinc oxide, and then spray?

    Ah hah! It's called Mist and Fix

    http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P169813&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=4028

    Maybe this will help? It claims to leave a thin film over your face. It should help keep the zinc oxide from coming off, although not 100%. I think you'll still have to reapply, but at least it won't come flying off as soon as you get wet. Hope this helps!
  • K
    That sounds awesome! I haven't heard of that spray!
  • tsunamino
    Secret of many makeup artists, particularly when working in extreme conditions. They aren't as extreme as fire fighting, but for models with heavy makeup, it makes it last for a few hours. Personally, I haven't tried it, but I have heard of a few makeup artists swearing by it.
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