When and Why I Don't Wear Sunscreen

Last fall I did a video on Makeup Mistakes Women Over 50 Make. Many, many people commented on I missed "applying sunscreen" as a makeup mistake. In today's video, I'll tell you why I intentionally left out sunscreen or SPF off that video.

If you like to watch YT videos on topic, here are some others that may interest you:

🌸 Sources 🌸

Sunscreen can be absorbed into blood stream. FDA Funded Study

As for benefits of natural sunlight, there are many many articles and studies for the various benefits. Its easy to find and generally well known.

🌸 About Me: I have mature, normal skin, leaning dry. My skincare issues are stretched pores on cheeks, hyperpigmentation and fine lines.

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Instagram: @lisamoniquebeauty

Disclosure: The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.

[ameliaruth]

I applaud you for this video Lisa. We are all adults here without the need for the sunscreen police !!!

[ACottageGirl]

Yes. Thank you. You’ll be roasted for this vid I assume, but dang, I’m sooo glad you posted it! I’m of the opinion that one should wear sunscreen if they believe it is helpful and protective. One should not wear it if they believe it is not helpful and protective. The end. Pass the bean dip.

[joannaandblueskies]

100% I only wear sunscreen if Im going directly into the sun for awhile, my face makeup too and a big hat blocks the sun and has worked for me, I live in Australia near the beach and Im 52 and my skin is great, the less chemicals the better!

[elisabethh]

Well stated Lisa, I agree💯%! As you said, everyone can do their own research if they choose and decide what chemical/mineral products work for them, if any.

[CeeJaylovesmakeup]

Hi Lisa, I also share your opinion and don't apply sunscreen unless I'm spending time outdoors. I have read the same studies and I'm concern about what the chemicals might do to my body. I'm happy you made this video because I see people being shamed if they don't lather their faces with sunscreen.

[julieo]

Every sunscreen I have tried breaks me out and even though it’s mineral I will go outside and immediately my face is like it goes to a million degrees and starts burning, itches, sweats. It’s awful and it’s just not something I can do

[tonipapillon]

Thank you for this video! I've never been a huge fan of sunscreen. Like you I am a type 4. If I'm outside more than a couple hours I will apply sunscreen BUT WHY use all those chemicals if not needed! Our bodies were meant to be in the sun and need it for so many reasons. It's important for the pituitary to regulate our serotonin (depression) and sleep cycles. The liver processes everything on the skin and as you said, these chemicals build up. I rarely burn. Yes, if you are pale and burn easily use it! But for years I have been frustrated by all the hype. As everything else, use what you need in moderation. Thanks for bringing some much needed balance to this topic!

[diana]

50 year old here- I started using sunscreen 6 months ago. Here’s why. I noticed sun damage below my eyes- also, I started using vitC in the morning and retinoids at night. I know that both these things make my face more prone to damage.. hence the sunscreen. Note: I hate using it- it has messed up my foundation and concealer game. My solution : I use colorscience flex tinted sunscreen.

[michellesapp]

I wear a large hat when in the sun. Didn’t years ago and my face and neck show the aging results. Our skin is our largest organ so for me the less chemicals I put on it the better. Thanks so much for this awesome video

[MusicLover-sbmo]

I 100% agree with you, Lisa. I do not wear sunscreen indoors. I do not want the build up of all the goop on my skin and chemicals in my bloodstream. Sunscreen often dries out my skin, so reapplying every 2 hours throughout the day along with massive layers of added moisturizers to offset sunscreen dryness just makes me feel gunky. I wear sunscreen only when I will be outside in the direct sun or outside in indirect sun if I will be out for more than one hour and on those days I do not wear makeup so I don’t worry about messing up my face. I absolutely believe in some natural sunlight. So many people are avoiding the great outdoors for fear of aging and cancer. I am vitamin D deficient and make sure I experience the outdoors. It is definitely good for your mind. I am fair to light neutral skinned, 64 next month and my skin looks considerably younger than my age (photo is current) due to years of overall diligent skin care. I am certainly vain but if I develop a few signs of aging from enjoying the outdoors it is worth it. I used to bake unprotected in the sun when I was young and haven’t done that in many years. Do I have sun damage from those days? Yes, on my chest which has greatly improved through red light therapy this past year. Do I avoid the sun altogether? No. Is skin cancer a concern? Yes, which is why I protect my skin when in direct or indirect sun as mentioned above. But I am only “hopeful” the sunscreen protects me from skin cancer and slows down aging when outside. We all should question why a multi billion dollar industry without sufficient evidence it is a “proven” preventative product. We can attribute it to fear factor marketing. Long rant here. Sorry for that, but I do support all the data and rationale you shared today.

[tinakane]

Bravo, Lisa!!! Thank you for posting this. I've been having "disagreements" 🙄 on this topic for years! 👍

[homeschoolteacher]

Thank you so much for this video! I have been meaning to research this myself and I'm so glad that you made such a great, concise video with all the information I was going to look into! Wow! I appreciate you and all that you share on your channel! ❤️

[naynay]

Finally, someone with common sense about sunscreen! I agree with you 100%. My dermatologist said that foundation with sunscreen is sufficient for running errands when you are in and out of the car. The only time I slather it on is when I am going outside for an extended amount of time. I stopped watching the foundation reviews of those who slather boatloads under their foundation because the sunscreen is going to change how the foundation performs. I am so tired of hearing them make such a big deal about wearing it.

[gingerrobbins]

Bravo! There have been hundreds of things through the years, that were thought to be safe, that were later determined to be dangerous!
Congratulations for doing your own research and making your own decision. Even your physician couldn't answer your question. So if the experts don't know, someone has to make the decision!
Good for you!❤

[danaconnor]

I/4 teaspoon is what is recommended for the face.

[awkwardgenxer]

I hardly wear makeup during the day. I put it on in the evenings if I am going out so I definitely don’t think of sunscreen as part of a makeup routine. I am not convinced that sunscreen is dangerous and I don’t think the FDA is trying to say that. I wear sunscreen every day but I go outside every day. I believe the amount to use is 1/4 teaspoon—that is what I use. My face is not very big though. I don’t think we need to overdo it—why apply something on a day you don’t need it. Skin cancer is scarier than sunscreen for me. But I try to be reasonable. The bottom line is studies need to be replicated to be valid. There are studies that say sunscreen does not inhibit Vitamin D production in the body. The debate is valid, but I think some of these studies are being mischaracterized. It is rare that one claims to be conclusive.

[JackOllie]

My mother has several scars on her face from having several skin cancers removed. She gardened all her life.
My father-in-law's face is now deformed from having a large skin cancer removed (and now the cancer has returned again, not sure what's next for him). He worked construction all his life.
I see the dark spots on my own face (though they are few and small, thankfully) get darker in the summer, even though I have an office job NOT next to a window.
I'll be wearing my sunscreen 100% of the time. Case closed for me.

[sandram.d.]

I only wear sunscreen if I'm going to be outdoors for a period of time to avoid burning. I have sun damage from my many years of being a sun goddess. Lol. It is what it is and I'm good with it. I love the sun and the benefits from it. I'm more concerned with feeling good and what I put inside of my body. Great video btw. 👍

[teresasimmons]

I agree with you totally and only wear sunscreen when I'm outdoors as well. As an ER nurse, I realized years ago that if we must wear gloves when applying creams or ointments to patients to keep it from getting into our bloodstream, the same was happening with the toxic ingredients of sunscreen. Many popular sunscreens are not clean and do contain questionable ingredients.

[Lucinda_Jackson]

Great video! I find it interesting how so many people are upset by the simple idea that others have a choice to wear sunscreen indoors or not, depending on how they feel about the chemical exposure. You stated your opinion, gave your reasons based on your research, and gave links to that research telling everyone to make her decision. How can that make anyone angry? 🤷🏼‍♀️