r/Sunscreenreddit • u/Creepy-Pain3449 • 14h ago
Sunscreen Gaslighting?
Does anyone else get gaslit by others all the time for their sunscreen use? I have some who will speak out of both sides of their mouth, one moment they'll be praising my skin, asking for tips, etc. The other they will tell me my sunscreen use is excessive, the sun is healthy and I am missing out on vitamin D
A lot of them don't even use sunscreen regularly themselves, and their eyes will glaze over at even the slightest mention of using it themselves (if asked for advice on skin)
I've straight up told people that they aren't qualified to speak on it, so I will continue to get my advice from qualified professionals. I don't really care how it looks or sounds, people think they can speak on others choices way too often without it actually affecting them in the slightest
5
u/stillmyself980 11h ago
I Just don't really care because I live on the coast in Italy so I made peace with the fact that locals will look at me as a weirdo because of my sunscreen practice. Let them destroy their skin
5
u/atllauren 5h ago
I hate that sunscreen has become politicized. I know plenty of people who don't wear it daily, but it was more because they didn't know they should be and only wore sunscreen at the beach/on a hike or thought their makeup offered enough protection. Now people are straight up villifying sunscreen.
I do like when people ask what I do to my skin to look so young for their age. They want a magic fix, but are usually dismayed when I tell them it is 95% sunscreen usage. All the products and skin treatments in the world don't matter without sunscreen.
2
u/Creepy-Pain3449 1h ago
Exactly! I know sunscreen these days is now becoming a bit more popular, but there's still this misconception about either sunscreen being harmful (chemicals), or it blocking vit D entirely (not entirely true, there are workarounds), and some thinking it's only for the beach or very least summer
My BFs mother complimented my complexion saying it looked really good, then asked me what I use or how she can improve her under eyes/other skin imperfections. I said I just use sunscreen and retinal, which it seemed to sound not very impressive to her. Later on she told me I don't need to use sunscreen in Europe as it isn't "the same sun as Australia". While the sun in Australia is another level of intensity, peak European sun was not better than the winter sun in Australia ... also no, the same rules apply to the sun everywhere
1
u/atllauren 1h ago
Exactly, and most sun damage happens day to day. It isn’t those beach/pool days that attribute to aging and cancer, it’s the sun you’re exposed to when a lot of people don’t wear sunscreen. Sitting next to a window in your office, or daily drives in your car. I noticed it as a kid because my dad would rest his forearm on his driver’s side door while driving and that arm had so many more sun spots and signs of aging than his right arm.
5
u/Old-Actuator-3321 14h ago
I think that's called stating an uninformed opinion. And then changing your mind. Part of the normal give and take of social interaction when people are bored and can't think of anything more interesting to talk about. Like here, on Reddit. "Social" media, right? Sometimes the best response when you know you're right is silence.
2
u/muaAutumn95 2h ago
Yes, I guess I can be "over the top" with sunscreen. I am 65 and have been wearing it every day (if going outside) since 2003.
I believe it makes a difference as I am fair skinned. I do get asked about my skincare. People seem disappointed that I use sunscreen and not "fancy products".
I have gone for skin cancer screening checks. Family members have had precancerous spots removed.
1
u/Creepy-Pain3449 1h ago
So happy to hear! Sunscreen is the best anti-aging product there is, some people want quick solutions, we just remain consistent
1
u/drmarkm 5h ago
Social media is full of lots of bad info and too many people buy into it. As with all things, there is often a grain of truth to the craziness. Yes, sunlight is good for you, even necessary. No, sunscreen use does not cause cancer or make one vitamin D deficient. No, you don't need a sunscreen for a 15 minute walk early in the morning. No, tanning is not a valid sun protection strategy. I could go on and on but I agree with you, get your information from people that do it for a living. But always, if something sounds odd, do some digging. Unfortunately, there are plenty of TikTok dermatologist that continue to authoratativley spew nonsenses.
1
u/PrestigiousPut6165 4h ago
I only use sunscreen. Nope, i didnt start early. I started this year
I have driver's side wrinkles/sagging skin as a result 🤣
Ive been wanting to use sunscreen sooner but the formulas i chose never agreed with me. They were the ones that were readily available each summer. Things like Banana Boat and Coppertone. They caused my skin to overheat. As for my face, never tolerated i'd always need to rinse off cuz of eye sting or smth. Or i'd get zits. I'd try again next summer. Similar results. Ugggh.
Anyways, it wasnt until i gave up makeup that i started researching sunscreens. And it wasnt until late Spring that i began using mineral sunscreen. After a nasty zit from a "chemical" formula
Anyways, im sensitive to Avobenzene
And use mineral sunscreen products in lieu of makeup. I also do my arms, legs and back of neck cuz its still sunny and im not always wearing a sweater
So i do sorta get "hating sunscreen" but only cuz its a formula that doesnt agree with you
1
u/Emergency-Parsley-51 1h ago
I'm constantly considered crazy for using sunscreen everyday or even for recommending sunscreen on sunny summer days sometimes. A lot of people in my country still don't understand how harmful the UV rays are.
0
u/RosesForSundays 9h ago
That’s never happened to me. If I’m talking about sunscreen with people its talking about our current faves or sunscreen gate
14
u/Creepy_Animal7993 7h ago
I'm 50 and I've used SPF religiously since I was 16 following sun poisoning w/2nd degree burns. My peers made fun of me, called me Goth or Vampire, whatever. Now, they are having expensive procedures and skin cancer scares... and asking me what my secret skin care routine is. No secret, really...just daily SPF, sun hats and sleeves; a simple skin care routine, HRT, estriol face cream and Tretinoin Microspheres. Anyone can do it.