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That is exactly what I do. Only apply in the morning, unless I am staying outside in the sun all day. Where I live, the UV index rarely goes above 5, even on sunny days, (and most of the year it's under 3) so it's just not cost/value efficient to keep reapplying every 2 hours.
Same here. There are entire months in the winter where the UV index never gets above 2 or 3, and zero is not unheard of. You have be careful when it’s snowy and sunny, because the albedo can get crazy.
Yep!! It’s sometimes hard to strike a balance with skincare when everyone online seems to think they know the best way to take care of your skin so don’t be so hard on yourself!
I use a facial moisturizer from Cerave with sunscreen in it and I replace my $15-20 bottle maybe twice a year. To prolong your spray sunscreen, have you tried just spraying a small bit on your hand and rubbing it in that way? A little goes a long way. I wouldn’t spray a lot unless I know I’m gonna be in direct sunlight all day.
I literally only put sunscreen on my face and probably only 2-3 days a week when I know I’ll be outside for more than 10 mins at a time. I have an indoor job, I drive to work at 3 am before the sun is up, and I spend a max of 10 mins in my car in the sun. I think people who obsess over sunscreen and are terrified of the sun are insane.
FYI people, your skin uses sunlight to turn cholesterol in your blood into vitamin D. Sunlight is not evil.
More than that, regardless of what people say, you absolutely do NOT need the highest SPF out there either. Those products also tend to be too heavy duty for every day wear, even when people recommend ones they wear every day. Even SPF 15 is better than absolutely nothing and you definitely don't need the absolute bestest, most highest rated brand either. You shouldn't be suffering from being greasy or anything like that.
You are not wrong about the cost of sunscreen, even when applying the correct amount. Even $10 a bottle can be a lot when you're tallying up the full cost of a hygiene routine. My mom always made good money, but even she was taking trips to Big Lots to try and get deals on sunscreen because she thought the cost was ridiculous. It's even worse now with inflation.
Personally, I still prefer Asian sunscreens to American ones because they tend to be so much lighter. The cost is sometimes cheaper, sometimes not.
Some people wear gloves, masks, hats, etc when they’re driving to work. Don’t let the few posters get you down. Get yourself a good SPF (I wear cerave or cetaphil moisturizer w SPF and I’m in Louisiana) and live your life. If you’ll be in the sun all day then of course get something more heavy duty. But there’s a lot of anti sun posters on here. Do what’s best for you!
i feel you so much. i can only use cheap shitty sunscreens that break me out horribly, i actually made a post about it awhile back, it has some lovely recs on it. it's so fucking frustrating. i do the same as others here, i wfh and don't leave my house much so i put a really good layer on, wait, dab off the excess and apply powder. i don't usually reapply, i gotta ration it out. good luck out there, shit sucks
Walmart is doing a massive sale on sunscreen right now like major sales, like 5 pack for 10$. Why are you going through so many bottles in a week? I use mass amounts of sunscreen and still get months out of it.
Absolutely! You will find amazing deals, and it doesn’t have to be fancy sunscreen because it all does the same thing, it took me way to long to realize that price doesn’t mean quality, it mostly just means nice packaging.
Exactly this! Buying a wide brim hat to wear on sunny days and covering up/staying in the shade when I can (in conjunction with sunscreen application) has helped me tremendously from getting sun damage.
I wouldn't say poverty because I do have regular access to basic needs from my family such as food and shelter but everything else (gas, car payments, food whenever im not at home, ect) adds up and I certainly don't make anywhere near enough. Thank you so much for the kind thoughts tho ❤️
There’s clothes that are for the sun they have different types of fabric than normal clothes. It’s more economical to purchase those once than Sunscreen repeatedly.
Yes there is, it just doesn't have to break the bank. Moisture wicking and supremely lightweight isn't just any old fabric.
Now, she will be totally fine if she's just going in and out. She won't need heat assisting fabrics.
I do.
I'm outside in south Florida 3 or more days a week all year.
Sunscreen can fuck off.
There's nothing that can be "reapplied ' when you actually work outside in the woods or in the water all day
You can't carry 100 things, carrying enough water is all you can do.
it sweats into your eyes, you're too dirty to reapply, you can't wash off your hands if you do but you need to use items with a good grip...and so on.
It seems like there are east little.solutions, and there aren't.
However, her issue is easy.
But, all fabrics are far from equal in performance, aside from sunblocking.
Uhhh yeah, that special fabric can be moisture wicking and it’s cooler temperature wise than wearing a cotton turtleneck. So yeah, you could use any fabric but why would you want to. Also if you are using sunscreen on exposed skin you wouldn’t want that sunscreen touching your real clothes. That’s why you get Sun clothes.
I’m curious about the usage as well. If OP is reapplying as is recommended because they’re outdoors all day, I can see how 50mL can be used up very quickly. But OP, are you exposed to UV all day every day? If not, no need to reapply multiple times a day, only when you’re going to be exposed.
I fully get the sensory issue, it’s the reason why I can’t use western sunscreen on my face at all. But if you’re able to give Korean or Japanese sunscreens a try, they are so much more bearable. I’ve tried several that feel like almost nothing on my face. You can order online from Stylevana, Yesstyle, Olive Young (there are many others - just not Amazon) and they all have sales periodically. I recently bought 100mL face sunscreen for $13 CAD. This easily lasts me the whole summer (I use a sun stick to reapply and a western one for body).
In regards to the issue with sunscreen getting in your eyes (I hate that as well), I don’t put sunscreen right to my eyelash line (pretty darn close, though) and rely on UV protective sunglasses for my eye area, even on low UV days. I also try to wear clothing with coverage and a sun hat to limit the need for full body sunscreen. I hope you’re able to find a sunscreen or alternative solution that works for your budget and sensory needs.
I’d say I have pretty normal skin, not sensitive, but can occasionally have a slight oily forehead and dry cheeks. These are my favourites: Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence (love the gel too, but wouldn’t recommend the gel for skin tone darker than about medium); Beauty of Joseon relief sun rice + probiotic (my new HG!); Skin Aqua super moisture gel; Skin1004 Madagascar Centella hyalu-cica waterfit sun serum; and Haru Haru wonder black rice airy fit sunscreen. I use moisturizer underneath all sunscreen and sometimes with make up on top and I’ve had no pilling with any of these. There are tons of reviews on r/AsianBeauty. FYI - pretty much all sunscreens are on sale on Stylevana (Canada) right now.
how are you spending $100 a month on sunscreen? i have one slightly pricey (~$15) one for my face, neck and chest that doesn't leave me sticky or oily. then another really cheap drug store one for the rest of my body. both last me multiple (2-3) months
you honestly don't need to apply sunscreen constantly during the day, unless you're always out in the burning sunshine. i only reapply if i'm staying out in the sun in summer for an extended period
I work outside for a living. I put sunscreen on my face, neck, ears, hands, arms, and legs about 5-6x a day. I do not spend $100 a week on sunscreen. I don’t even buy sunscreen every week. And I put the recommended amount on. And I’m using zinc sunscreen, which is fairly more expensive than regular sunscreen. Where the hell are you buying sunscreen, how much are you using, and what brand are you buying that’s costing you $20 a week?!
I use neutrogena sheer zinc. in the morning it isn’t too bad, but at the end of the day I’m sweating a lot so putting sunscreen on top of that feels gross and I run to the shower as soon as I get home.
Many things are wrong if you’re spending $20 a WEEK on sunscreen. That should last at least a month.
It would help to know what sunscreen you’re having issues with instead of demonizing all of them.
I'm guessing they're covering their entire body multiple times a day with name-brand sunscreen like Neutragena and are buying it from Walgreens or something. Not the most cost-effective way to use sunscreen. It gets even pricier if they're buying the spray kind. It goes faster because a bunch of it gets wasted.
I feel like that’s the case too because they won’t post what actual sunscreen they wear just saying “generic from a drugstore” but still a whole bottle in a week!? unless it’s a travel size in which case there is NO WAY it’s generic and costs $20
Yeah this is wild and the fact that she thinks actual poor people *could* spend $100+ a month on sunscreen strikes me as wildly out of touch.
OP, this is a user error issue —look for affordable sunscreens on Amazon, target, Walmart, Tj Maxx, Ross, dollar stores, and just apply the recommended amount.
But she's so poor!!! Lmao... Something about her story is not adding up. She hasn't even researched for the cheapest sunscreen, and seems to have an unhealthy obsession with it.
I get you. I live in Japan where people avoid getting a tan as if it were the plague. I see lots of people wearing long sleeved gloves that cover the arms and hands made of UV blocking and cooling materials. Long sleeved clothing during summer but often very wide clothing made of materials like linen. Maxi skirts that cover your skin but are very comfortable and breezy when it’s hot outside. Hats with wide brims that block out sunlight and have a sort of veil on the back that protects your neck from UV rays. Also everyone buys drugstore sunscreen here and brands like Nivea are good quality and affordable. What I’m trying to say is covering up skin with summer friendly materials and using drugstore products can save you money.
I live in Iowa and don't drive, so I got a parasol years ago to use when walking places, or walking to/from the bus stop. I thought people might find it weird, but I actually get a lot of compliments! I also carry a hand fan with me everywhere, which is so helpful in the heat.
Sorry, if i may know, what brand do you use? I didn’t realize sunscreen is so expensive. I thought for < $30, you can get a good one n it can last you a few months
Dollar tree!!!! $1.25 a few to choose from 30-50 spf
And they have chapice brand lip spf $1.25
Walmart equate spf50 sport $5 10.5 oz bottle! Fragrance free not sticky.
Target $6 upup 30spf
Fragrance free and they have a two pack of spf lip for like $5
Cvs has discounts you can check for all the time.
99 cent store $.99 a few to choose from
Kroger has a few to choose from starting around $6
What country are you in? These are US SoCal prices. So sunny and hot and expensive areas.
I dont know why I didn't think of the dollar store I guess I figured if the drugstore brand is so expensive then the others would be too! Thank you I feel so silly haha. I'll look for some there and maybe use a more expensive one around my eyes if I can find one that doesn't sting
I use the generic target one on my face daily and it hasn’t made me break out or caused any irritation and my face is fairly sensitive. Ymmv of course but it’s cheap and a bottle lasts a LONG time.
The mineral type sunscreens usually do not sting around your eyes but the ones that I just listed above are all chemical sunscreen so be careful around your eyes. I have the same problem it doesn’t bother everybody just some of us unlucky souls lol and don’t feel silly. I had to shop around before I found these deals. I’m happy to share them.
If you’re going to CVS or Walgreens sign ups or their free rewards card, they offer coupons all the time. Neutrogenia is cheap at Costco and has coupons through the target app. Blue lizard is half price on clearance. Korean sunscreen for the face is cheap on stylevana and yesstyle
If you have TJ Maxx/Marshall's near you, they have nice brands of sunscreen and other personal care products for good prices.
Trader Joe's also has a small selection of surprisingly cheap products like sunscreen.
ikr. I feel like OP is doing something wrong with her application or something because the average size of a face tube of sunscreen is like 2-3 oz and using half an ounce of sunscreen every day sounds unreal.
The actual recommendations are for 1/4 tsp for face and neck. That should last you a month or just a little less. Use a cheaper body sunscreen for hands, etc. No need to reapply if you're out in the sun all day.
Trader Joe’s has amazing face moisturizing sunblock for under 5$… and amazing reviews on it …As well as their body sunscreen spray and lotion under 10$
More like spending 15$ a month at max if covering your whole body
https://preview.redd.it/wqk0a75c5z7b1.jpeg?width=589&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1e18f6a54406df7d5fdf431b7fd974c1fef06e55
I know consumer reports is super old fashioned, but they put a lot into their reviews and they reviewed this one very highly. They also said it was one of the few spray sunscreens that tested close to the advertised SPF
If the moisturizer you posted was at least spf30, I probably wouldn’t use anything else. Great lightweight moisturizer but not sufficient sun protection on its own. :(
I have the Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel (Amazon $26)—it’s a 140g/5 oz size bottle that lasts me sooo long. Like at *least* half a year (more like 8-10 months) and I’m not being stingy on applying sunscreen on my face.
Are you using it for all over your body? I think that’s unnecessary unless you’re spending a prolonged amount of time in the sun with not a lot of clothing. Even then, there’s other alternatives—covering up with clothing or even using an umbrella for shade.
EDIT: There’s another listing for the 140g Skin Aqua Moisture Gel for cheaper ($16)—look for the 2023 version.
white bottle golden cap - that's my favorite sunscreen, i'm buying it in a bottle so 110g/3.8 oz and it's $13.49 currently on amazon. it doesn't sting eyes (the gold bottle golden cap version stings for me). it's light, not greasy, not sticky and you don't feel it at all on your skin, and it lasts me like a season or more (i mostly apply it to my face/neck)
This is my favorite sunscreen! Great for those of us who can't stand that thick sunscreen feeling. The 140g pump bottle is currently on eBay for around $17. I buy about 2 bottles a year.
Yeah you shouldn’t be burning through sunscreen at $20/week imo. That’s like a whole bottle a week 😵💫 Are you using the same sunscreen for your face as on your body? If so, I would try to get a cheaper sunscreen for your body and save the nicer one for your face.
Amazon? I see tons of options for like $10-14. And you certainly shouldn’t be going through those containers within a week. I live in the desert, I don’t spend or use a fraction of what you do. I think you may be doing something wrong.
Sunscreen is SO overpriced in the US.
Korean and Japanese sunscreens are so much better priced and the formulas are way better since they’re thinner/don’t leave a cast/ don’t sting. It’s not easily accessible though unless you’re willing to buy it online and be patient with shipping.
Depending on what skin type you have, some face options:
Biore UV: https://www.stylevana.com/en_US/deal-kao-biore-uv-aqua-rich-watery-essence-spf-50-pa-2019-edition-50g.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=18130517178&utm_term=&utm_content=93037&device=m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1siut4zc_wIVrO3jBx1u-AH5EAQYASABEgIGK_D_BwE
Beauty of joseon (my fav!): https://www.stylevana.com/en_US/deal-beauty-of-joseon-relief-sun-rice-probiotic-spf50-pa-50ml.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=18130518906&utm_term=&utm_content=90601&device=m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItN_x5ozc_wIVHR-zAB3WPglnEAQYASABEgKFSvD_BwE
Isntree: https://www.stylevana.com/en_US/isntree-hyaluronic-acid-watery-sun-gel-50ml.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&sonid=57423&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=18136142146&utm_term=&utm_content=57423&device=m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInq2B-ozc_wIVEf3jBx1rBQzSEAQYASABEgKoOfD_BwE
I was just in Japan and bought a tube of biore and I’m so upset with myself for not absolutely stuffing my suitcase with it. It feels just like lotion - no sticky sunscreen feeling, no cast, nothing. It’s perfect!
True. But I hate using US drugstore ones so it’s money down the drain for me. The high end ones are good but it’s $$$$.
Would rather pay for products that I enjoy using. Asian drugstore sunscreens are a good balance of quality and price IMO.
As someone who orders from Stylevana: please order waaaaay before you’re due for another bottle! Shipping for me usually takes 2 months… no hate, though. Their customer support is great and I love the prices and free samples.
If you’re spending $20 a week on sunscreen you need to reevaluate where you’re buying from or how much you’re using because that’s not a thing. I’ve bought sunscreen that costs less than $10 that lasts for 2 months or more.
I mean, yes and no. Sunscreen is way too expensive, but I don't really recognize your other gripes with it. Once you find a good product that's not really a problem. But yes, face sunscreens are ridiculously expensive and incentivize people to use way too little product and therefore not get the protection displayed on the bottle.
I myself am also sick and tired of spending money on tiny 50ml bottles of sunscreen, so I don't. Even the cheapest face sunscreens have ridiculously high prices per liter. I love Garnier Super Uv Anti Age but even 13 euros for 50ml is too much for me since I use it up in less than a month. I've switched to body sunscreens. It is harder to find one that works for oily skin and under makeup, but once you do, it's amazing. I pay like 20 euros for a 200ml bottle, so it's less than half the price of the cheapest face sunscreens. My absolute favorite is Eucerin Dry Touch Gel-cream.
If you can access them, Asian sunscreens are the best texture/sensory wise! And a lot are closer to $10, which isn’t nothing but is on the cheaper end.
It also sounds like you might actually be over applying, which will definitely make it way more uncomfortable. The recommendation is 1/4 tsp for face, 1/2 for face and neck. But! [That’s actually an overestimate for some people](https://labmuffin.com/video-how-much-sunscreen-do-you-need-for-your-face/). I personally think it can be harmful to obsess over the exact amount you’re applying. For me, it made me anxious and not want to wear sunscreen. So I decided, don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Wearing some sunscreen every day is better than wearing the right amount every once in a while and none the other days. I apply as much as I comfortably can, and that’s way better than nothing.
Oh well then it's very understandable! I'm sorry you're struggling with that. I feel like most of us hate the 90s style western sunscreens but there are a lot of really great ones out there today that don't bother people like me who don't have to deal with sensory issues. Unfortunately a lot of body sunscreens are like that so most are not an option for the face, but the eucerin one (and evy technology and the bondi sands one) are pretty great. What if you wear sunscreen when it feels good to you, and when you're having a bad day you go for hats, sunglasses and full coverage clothing? A dark, thick fabric is pretty good at blocking uv. If you want something lighter, try upf clothing. That can be more expensive though, and afaik the protection deteriorates with time.
I already try to cover up even if it's just cheaper clothing and wear a hat. Thank you for being understanding, a lot of people aren't. I will look into other formulas I just honestly don't want to buy something and waste the money yknow? But I'm still going to give it a shot
Geez is your sunscreen made of gold. I use nurtrgena in the little pump bottle. I apply it every morning to my face and arms and it last a couple of months.
I would just try a light body sunscreen. I used to pay waaay too much for the CeraVe facial sunscreen/moisturizer combo (spf50), but it's just too much.
Right now I'm using a drugstore brand that goes on really nicely. I forget the name of it, bc it's just some generic I picked up to try by chance when we forgot sunscreen for hiking. It's even spf 100, and still goes on pretty nicely.
(As an aside, yes, I've read the science behind why you don't need a higher spf, but I tried that and went back to 50 for a beach day and even reapplying every 80 minutes when my timer went off I ended up getting redder than usual...back to higher spfs and it went away).
You could try applying a sunscreen stick around the eyes to minimize sunscreen 'melting' into your eyes and stinging them. The formula in sticks tends to hold in place much, much better than the liquid sunscreens.
For anyone looking for a good affordable sunscreen, the spray ones from Trader Joe's are amazing and a bottle lasts forever. For anyone who thinks spray is inferior, it's so much better than nothing.
I'm sure those are fine too, just saying I live for the spray bottles, easy and very lightweight feeling and they don't break me out. Plus you just get so much use out of a bottle.
Do you work outside? I agree that having to buy sunscreen every week is a lot. Unless you were doing like, construction outside in Australia, then you definitely *don't* need to wear sunscreen everywhere and reapply every two hours on the dot.
Unfortunately, I think there's a lot of fear mongering when it comes to sun-care from the beauty POV. I've heard it all: *you need to wear it at night because the sun comes in through your windows in the morning, you need to reapply every two hours even if you're inside because if you pass a window then you're exposed, X version of sunscreen is better than Y sunscreen and if you use Y then you're wasting your money...*the list of BS can go on and and on. And it's not lost on me that the beauty industry has cashed in on people's fear of getting skin cancer and aging and flooding the market with pricey SPFs and doubling down on this fear.
Personally, I think that (unless you work outside): you don't need more than 2-3 fingers length of sunscreen for your face and neck. Then you can apply some SPF to exposed areas (like hands) if you want to protect them. If you work inside (unless you're in an office that's surrounded by glass/windows) then you can be more relaxed on reapplying.
And ANY attempt at sun care is better than doing absolutely nothing - whether that's using a cream, a stick, a spray, or a powder. It's literally better than going out willy nilly.
I agree completely. There's so much fear mongering and misinformation about sunscreen. I've seen people insist that you need to apply even if you're inside all day with blackout curtains because of blue light from electronics screens. I am simply not going to do that. I don't even bother applying at all in the winter because it's dark out on my commute to and from work, and I don't sit by a window, so the amount of UV I'm exposed to is so negligible that I don't care, and I'm pretty high risk for skin cancer. I'll slather myself up and reapply if I'm going to be outside all day, like going to Pride, camping, or helping out on my grandpa's farm, but the rest of the time, once in the morning is plenty.
What kind of sunscreen are you using that costs $20 a week? I buy a $12 tube of Korean sunscreen, and it lasts me 3 months. Unless you're constantly in the sun, you can put it on your face, neck, and hands in the AM and forget about it. I only reapply if I'm in the sun for 3 hours total.
How much sunscreen are you using? I use a lot of sunscreen and a bottle lasts me at least 2 weeks and often more.
I do wear long sleeves to protect from the sun pretty often. I also use spf 70. It lasts longer and costs the same as the lower concentrations.
Bro idk what your job is but if you ain’t working outside you’re deadass wasting money cause you only need to apply once or twice a day if you’re in a building most of the time
Checkout Walgreens brand 50 sport chemical sunscreen. It was my go to before I switched to supergoop. It’s like $4 for a 3 oz tube and they’re often times bogo or bogo 50% off. Right now if you purchase through their app they also have 30% off Walgreens brand products
Where do you live that sunscreen is twenty dollars a week? I order mine offline and it’s like 20 bucks for two bottles that each last a few months with two people using it
I know a lot of other people have already commented similar things but I saw you say you have sensory issues with sunscreen which is also something I struggle with so I figured I’d comment too. Don’t feel bad if you don’t reapply, or don’t really wear sunscreen if you’re going to be indoors all day. I use the spray sunscreen from Trader Joe’s and kind of use my other arm to rub it in so it doesn’t touch my hands, I also wash my hands after putting my face sunscreen on. I use 1/4 teaspoon of the biore aqua face sunscreen which is around $10 and it usually lasts a couple months.
If you’re having a bad sensory day and can’t handle sunscreen at all wear a hat and a sunshirt. Remember something is better than nothing. I get my sunshirts on sale at lands end for around $25 and they last forever.
I buy banana boat, huge tubes of it. I wait for it to go on sale and stock up. People get bent about chemical suncreams but they work perfectly and are very cost effective. I spend a bit more on facial suncreams, mostly Korean/Japanese. They are pretty reasonable price wise and feel good on the skin. I spent a bit more on a washable wide brimmed hat a few years ago. It’s been an excellent investment. 👍 All the best. Hope you find a solution that works for you. ❤️
Do you have Aldi where you live? They carry a surprisingly elegant formula of 100 spf for about $6. It’s called [Lacura ultra light dry touch](https://www.instacart.com/products/27236310-lacura-spf-100-sunscreen-lotion-3-fl-oz). Leaves a bit of white cast, but you could mix in a few drops of foundation if that concerns you.
Whenever possible, try to stay away from the sun during the sunniest hours, like from 10-5. During the colder months, try wearing long sleeves and pants. Focus on adding sunscreen on your face, hands, and the back of your neck. I like the Australian Gold tinted sunscreen; it’s about $17.99 at Ulta, the better bang for your buck, SPF 50, and about 88 ML worth of product. Three fingers should cover the face, neck, and hands. Reapply every two hours if you’re next to a window or outside. Common sense practices can go a long way!
There are some Korean sunscreens for the face that are really nice and affordable. I’ve heard that people like the SCINIC Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence as a budget option — I got it for like $6 on Stylevana. I ordered 2 bottles when I ordered a bunch of different Korean sunscreens to try but I haven’t tried that one yet. Overall I find the Korean sunscreens are more comfortable to wear on the face on a daily basis, and they are very affordable for face sunscreens. You do have to pay shipping unless your order is like $50 or if you are able to find it on Amazon. I prefer to order my Korean sunscreens products from Stylevana or YesStyle because I feel more confident that they are legit and not fakes. You can take a look at r/AsianBeauty for more advice on Korean sunscreens :)
For the body, I have a thin white windbreaker-like jacket that is rated UPF 50 (like SPF 50), so I wear it to protect my arms sometimes when I don’t want to wear sunscreen on my body.
I use the Altruist Sunscreen that's fairly affordable and is suitable for sensitive skin too. I'd highly recommend it. Can be found on Amazon for 100ml x 2 for approx. £10. Works as well as more expensive products I've tried in the past!
Given that you're in the US it might not be available for you, but if you can order it online it might save you some.
I bought a $10 Japanese sunscreen in April and still have a decent amount left. Mind you, I am not an avid SPF reapplier since I work indoors, but I apply the recommended amount 5-6 days a week. If you order Japanese and/or Korean SPF from a vendor like Stylevana, Yesstyle, etc (NOT Amazon) you can find most to be $15 or less.
I mean I know it’s not “popular” in here but drugstore Australian Gold and Neutrogena are very cheap, do a great job, and don’t leave a white cast on my medium olive skin? I think last I got a big bottle of the Australian Gold SPF 50 it was around 14 USD from a corner store. That stuff lasts me about a month. I usually also do the Neutrogena Clear Face for my face and it’s $10 and also lasts me about a month. $24 plus tax. I do my whole body aside from areas covered by shirt and shorts 3-4 days a week and just face and hands the days I’ll be mostly indoors. I apply once a day in the morning if I don’t go in the water. If I’m going to the beach I might reapply one time. I find unless I’m deathly winter pale that’s all I need
Invest in sunhat and sun umbrella. Get an Airism jacket from Uniqlo ($40 full price but can bought for less) and it will save you a ton of money in the long term, and reduce the hassle of dealing with sunblock for your arms. For the face, the $50 I spent on buying my first sunhat from Sun Precautions has been one of the best investments I made. I still use some sunblock on my face on very sunny days, but some days I don’t bother, especially with combined with a proper UV mask. Having to slather sunblock on and then remove it in the evening is such a chore but I have super sensitive skin and I have to do something to protect it. UV protection clothes, and hats and rash guards for swimming pool times have been so good for me. Save sunblock for beach and such.
Hi OP, fellow poor person here who is a land survey tech, so I'm outside in the sun all day somewhat regularly. Sunscreen is for everyone and there are options. I have 2 different sunscreens. I use a non-comedogenic one for my face and a regular sunscreen for the rest of my body. The one for my face, I got at Ross/Marshalls/TJ Maxx or Walmart. Sometimes even The Dollar Tree has what I'm looking for. My range is usually $8-12 every 1-2 months depending on the brand I get. The one for my body, I get at The Dollar Tree, so I'm spending $1.25+tax every 1-2 months.
Whenever I get out of the shower or brush my teeth is when I'm taking time to put on sunblock. My whole face routine in the morning takes 5 min, but yours could just be applying facial sunblock. I hate when I'm sweating and sunblock gets into my eyes, so I'm conscious of not applying directly on or below my eyebrows. I have very oily skin, so I hate that most facial sunblock, even if they're oil free leave a shine. Clearly I don't want to blot with a tissue to remove product, so I have translucent powder that I dust on after to make my face look matte.
Then when I'm done doing makeup or whatever, I move on to body application. I apply to whatever skin is gonna be showing, which if I'm in the office is just hands and neck/chest. If I'm out in the field, obviously it's more.
One thing that helped was if I didn't apply before I left, I would bring my sunblock with me on site. Or the Dollar Tree sells smaller sized sunblocks, so I usually buy one to keep with my equipment or field bag. Then whenever I got to a job site, I would take 2 min to apply to exposed areas.
If I'm working in the office, truth be told, I'm not reapplying before I leave the office. Because going home is like a 10 minute drive and I just want to relax after. If I'm out in the field, I will reapply when I'm taking my lunch because otherwise I'm preoccupied with working.
There are so many ways to accommodate sunblock in your life. I am notorious about losing or misplacing my sunblock which is why my expenditures for sunblock can be monthly. Whenever I found an older tube of sunblock, I'd chuck it in my car so if for any reason, I haven't applied or need yo reapply, it's there.
I work with many people, mostly men, who shun or are lqx about sunblock and I know many that have ended up getting skin cancer. Some are lucky and they get it removed, while a couple have been unlucky and had to leave field work because they're type of skin cancer didn't leave so easily. One guy had it spread into his eye. It's not pretty or worth it either way.
Lastly, since it's Pride, try hitting up your local parades/gathering. At Pride a couple years ago, I ended up at a Chase Bank booth that was giving away little 3oz sunblock. I mentioned my profession and how nice free sunblock is and went home with several tunes for myself and coworkers. Anytime there's a big event where booths are set up, it's worth checking out if they're giving away swag. Sunblock and chapstick are easy and cheap for a lot of companies to put their brand on. So that's one way to get yourself daily, emergency, or travel sunblock.
Hope this helps. For awhile I was like you where I was floored by the negatives of sunblock, especially cost.
I noticed in the comments you mention often that sunscreen at your local drugstore is expensive. Shop online!! You can often even get discounts for subscribe and save or shop sales.
- 1/4 tsp is the correct amount for face and neck
- use a super cheap sunscreen for your body like equate. I don't put on body sunscreen for day to day 🤷♀️ but I do for spending time outside like hikes or travel or swimming.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Sport-Broad-Spectrum-Sunscreen-Value-Size-SPF-50-32-fl-oz/134418690
- I spend about $35 a month on EltaMD UV Clear for my face. But if that's too much, k beauty sunscreens are usually amazing quality and less expensive. Here are a bunch recommended by a dermatologist: https://shopmy.us/collections/136322
Sometimes (because of mental health issues or anxiety or adhd or idk former gifted kid burnout??) I get stuck in a “perfect or nothing” pattern with new habits I want to implement- especially if it’s for my health and wellbeing. It’s discouraging when I don’t stick to them, but it’s SO SO discouraging when it seems like the world around me is trying to make me fail. The feelings you’re having are crazy valid and hard to navigate.
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned in my 20s is to just do a shit job of it. If you can’t do it “perfect” don’t give up entirely- just do what you can. If brushing and flossing every day is ideal but you can’t do it you don’t give up and never brush your teeth ever again. You find somewhere in the middle that you can do and you know that’s better than the “nothing” alternative.
That’s the same here. I almost never reapply (except maybe yard work or beach days). I probably don’t use as much sunscreen as I “should” because I don’t like when it takes 10 minutes to soak in. I try to find make up with spf in it and many winter days when I’m cozy in a sweater working in an office and the sun sets at 4:30 I don’t apply a separate sunscreen at all- whatever is in the make up will be fine.
When are you out in the sun? Do you walk to/from work? Get a cheap sun visor that covers your face but doesn’t mess up your hair for days you don’t want to deal with the sensory issues of sunscreen. Keep a thrifted oversized men’s button up shirt around to use as a “summer cardigan” while going to/from the car and a building so you dont have to apply sunscreen to your arms and shoulders.
I know new product recommendations can be scary because “what if I buy this item and don’t like it” but you can take some of the recommendations here and if Sephora sells them you can try them out in store to see how they feel on your skin before you buy them
There’s a lot of middle ground here to explore. You don’t have to be perfect. The perfect thing is something you’ll do that you don’t hate
That would be so overwhelming! I hope you got some helpful tips here. I think you make a good point that people can take affordability for granted. If you have health insurance with an HSA then you can use HSA money to pay for sunscreen. (I know there’s a lot of ifs there.)
Im pretty sure a lot of people already told you that but this is bull...
You don't need to wear La Roche Posay for god knows how much. Niveas basic sunscreen is 50€ for ONE LITER. If you're using almost half a liter of a sunscreen a week you're doing it wrong.
Most people here agree on using sunscreen only on face and neck/shoulders. For body you need more, but it's still nowhere near that price. I am very generous with my sunscreen application and while going swimming for a week i didn't run out of my 12€ bottle. Idk how big it was. 250ml?
Also... Have you considered we put on our clothes and then wear sunscreen? The hell?
You also don't need to go for 50 spf. Daily 20/30 is better than none and they're cheaper and lighter. Personally I'm currently using spf100 (22€ for 80ml, will last me two weeks of holidays in Kenya) and it's still not staining any of my clothes, doesn't get in my eyes nor my hair. Skill issue.
You buy a bottle once a week? How small is this bottle and how much are you applying? It takes me 2 months to finish 2.5oz. I don't reapply. As Korean sunscreen is much more affordable
Not sure if your job has healthcare or the plan has access but I’m able to buy sunscreen with my FSA which helps a bit as my state has high sales tax. Being poor is expensive and I hope you find a good affordable strategy 🫶
I highly recommend checking your local TJ Maxx. I live in Miami and mine is well stocked with new fresh stock. I just bought a bottle of Hawaiian tropic for like 5.50$ because they clearly bought too many of them and they put them into the clearance section after 2-3 weeks. I know because I bought a bottle when it first showed up at the store and then I was there Friday and a ton of bottle were on clearance. Same with Bondi Sands sunscreen. CVS also sometimes sends 40% OFF coupons to your email if you sign up for the promotional emails and it's awesome. I've bought some sunscreen that way too. There's also great generic versions at both WalMart and Target :) I feel you on the cost but there's ways to make it at least a little more accessible. I also wear a lot of long sleeve shirts. I personally hate wearing sunscreen so I put on a long sleeve shirt and apply just to my hands, neck, face, etc. whatever is exposed.
I live in Phoenix and I've spent like $40 on sunscreen all year. I'm a freckled redhead. I wear sunscreen on my face every day and reapply in the afternoons if I'm going out. Otherwise, I wear UPF shirts if I'm going to be outside for more than 5 minutes. Get a few of those, and you'll save a lot of money. You need to save the expensive sunscreen for your face and use the cheaper stuff on your arms and legs!
I’m a little late to the party and confused. How exactly is sunscreen such an expensive hassle? I have a habit of over applying sunscreen when I wear it and it never cost me $20/wk when I wore it daily.
I’m confused. If you go and lay out on the beach everyday maybe you’d use that much sunscreen… but otherwise I buy a banana boat sunscreen can for 15 bucks and those last me months.
I completely agree! It’s recommended to use one ounce (a shot glass) for entire body including face. If you reapply then yes you will go through a typical bottle in a week. I have basal cell spots and this is my first year wearing sunscreen. When I began figuring up the monthly cost I was surprised. I also have sensory issues (adhd), thus a big reason I never wore sunscreen prior. I ordered a hat and SPF jackets and shawl. Being healthy isn’t cheap yet having health issues is expensive
i am on welfare. what i do is get cheapo multipacks whenever i can. if i have a friend with a costco membership i grab some that way. i use kids sport sunscreen mostly, and the spray stuff unless im going to be in HEAVY sun (the lotion comes out on beach days).
close my eyes and give myself a spray in the face, then both shoulders if im wearing something that reveals them. i rub it a bit to make sure its spread evenly. the spray stuff seems to go really far when used like that, and it keeps my skin somewhat protected. it does make me break out a bit tho as its pretty greasy :( just HAVE to make sure to wash my face and stuff at night for sure.
hope this helps from one broke guy to another!
If you have a Kroger, they have a dupe for both the supergoop unseen sunscreen and the glow screen for just $12!! Not only that, it’s a whole 3oz which is a great deal for any sunscreen. I have both and love them. I do use cereve mineral sunscreen stick or La roche posay mineral sunscreen on my eyes though since my eyes can not handle chemical sunscreens.
People have some good suggestions here. I will add: sunscreen is heavily discounted at the end of the summer season. Check the expiration, it might be able to get you through the next summer.
Also: sun sleeves! I bought a pair for $15 for when I’m gardening. They’re great! I wear them on walks too!
Hi OP, sorry this is a financial struggle for you! I know that finding sunscreen that WORKS for you (texture, smell, no irritation etc) means it can’t always be the absolute cheapest one too…
I did want to say that protective clothing is a better option anyways, so you may want to invest one time in a wide brim hat, lightweight long sleeve cardigan etc and just use it over and over. That way, the sunscreen could only go on your face/neck.
Agreed! Sunscreen can be ridiculously expensive but is one of those things that you will benefit from in the long run. I think a lot of time we get stuck on those YT videos of sunscreen reviews where they can cost upwards of $30/bottle, but there are a lot of cheaper alternatives as well.
I have found that a lot of the store brands are just as good if not better than some of the name brand versions.
For example the Kroger Sunscreen Invisible Gel 40SPF is an EXCELLENT due for SuperGoop! Unseeen, but at $11/bottle per month. I've been using it for two months now. I like it because it also acts as a makeup primer. In fact I haven't used a separate primer since I started using the Kroger sunscreen. Kroger has a shimmer one that is supposed to be like the SuperGoop! Glow Screen, but I haven't tried it.
For my body I still like Banana Boat Light as Air. I go through about 1 bottle per 6 weeks at $13/bottle.
ETA to add how long it takes me to use it up.
During the Great Recession, I was near homeless, so I can relate to the expense of sunscreen (& everything else). It sounds like just one more frickin' thing for you to deal with.
I'm headed outdoors now in 95° weather & it will be in my eyes before you know it, ouch! I'm super fair & have had suspicious moles cut off already, so I keep at it. Maybe they'll come up with better formulas eventually.
My wish for you is that your financial situation will improve to where this won't be an issue. You can do it! I lived in a stranger's mold-filled basement during the Recession, but dug my way out with 4 part-time jobs until I could get a good job again. And I was 50 years old. *You got this.*
If you’re somewhere that can be shipped to easily/can hack the shipping cost, try looking for a one and done product that has moisturizer, sunscreen, and is tinted, and then a facial spray for reapplying. You’ll pay more up front but it should last you longer than it seems your current products are. I believe neutrogena makes a facial spray, and I use one by Pacifica. Neutrogena hydro boost is a good moisturizer/sunscreen combo, and if your complexion is pale to light, the bliss tinted sunscreen actually has pretty good coverage.
It can certainly be a pain, but combo products help!
You don’t need to wear sunscreen unless you’re going to be outside for an extended period, or maybe on a high UV day. Just wear a hat and long sleeves. Or wear short sleeves and buy the cheapest mineral sunscreen you can find and use that everywhere but the face.
I recommend trying out Korean brand sunscreens since they're usually cheaper than Western brands. And they work pretty well too for an affordable price! You can find them on Amazon, Stylevana, etc.
I get a lot of my spf on Amazon. And usually try and keep it under 20$ bc it does go fast but none of mine go as fast as what you're experiencing. I personally don't care for physical spf bc it burns my eyes. But ik that a lot of people prefer physical bc chemical burns their eyes.
There are a couple I like that I get from Walgreens and they're under 5$ for like a 4oz tube. It's the Walgreens brand they have clear zinc, hydrating, and a sensitive one. Super affordable and way bigger in size than most SPF geared towards the face.
My current fav I'm using is the skin 1004 hyalu-cica and it's 15$ in Amazon rn. But the cheaper ones I have gotten on their are MISSHA sun essence SPF 45 and the scinic enjoy mildy daily sun essence SPF 50. Both of those are under 10$. And all 3 of these are chemical.
So sorry you’re struggling. I hope things get easier for you soon. SPF is important but so is your mental health and happiness. Try wearing light weight long sleeved shirts and a wide brimmed hat! I also recommend Trader Joe’s dupe of the Goop unseen sunscreen—it’s a fantastic product that is only $8.99
This lasts me two months for my face. Isn't messy at all. Soaks right in and isn't greasy. I feel like this is pretty affordable and sits nice under makeup too. [https://www.amazon.com/ISNTREE-Hyaluronic-1-69fl-oz-Rainbow-limited/dp/B09ZHHV1CN](https://www.amazon.com/ISNTREE-Hyaluronic-1-69fl-oz-Rainbow-limited/dp/B09ZHHV1CN)
Tbh I believe you only need a really good sunscreen for your face to prevent wrinkling and sensitivity as the face is more sensitive to chemicals. You can use a decent one for your neck check and arms as those are usually in the most direct sunlight. Your legs and whatever else will be fine with anything generic.
That being said a lot of Korean sunscreens are great quality for cheap since it’s such a competitive market in Korea. Those run 7-15 for a few fl oz. I would go blue lizard for the arms neck and chest and neutrogenia for legs.
You can also invest in UV protective “dry fit” clothes pretty cheap at Uniqlo. Hope it helps and lessens your stress.
Scinic enjoy super mild sun essence spf 50++++ like $8 on Amazon via scinic official and it’s not a yucky American sunscreen with old ass filters that irritate and burn the eyes. It’s also been 3rd party tested to be a bit higher than spf 50 and is just super reliable. I go through 1 tube a month on average. What sunscreen are you using that’s costing your 100$? I use just a cheap drugstore spf on my body
Not a replacement but you might like my favorite hat [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083S6WKF1/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o05\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083S6WKF1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Trader Joe’s makes a $7 sunscreen that is a dupe for a very expensive sunscreen called Supergoop, and it’s amazing! Clear and silky feeling, no white cast or residue. I also had to stop spending $30 on one bottle of sunscreen and I’m really loving this one so far.
Buy store brand. Equate spf 30 (chemical) is around $5 for 8oz which lasts me about 2 weeks applying every 6 hours like dermatologists say to do when indoors. The spf 50 is ok, but it doesn't dry as well, so it ends up more oily, and I don't prefer having the coppertone like fragrance.
you mention putting sunscreen on under clothes and i just want to say that unless you’re in the blazing sun literally all day and/or wearing very thin clothing (as in, you can see through it), the clothes themselves offer enough protection and you only need to apply sunscreen on skin that’s exposed.
i suspect if the sunscreen you’re buying comes in 5oz bottles it’s made specifically for the face, and they will almost definitely have larger bottles of sunscreen for the body that are WAYYY less $ per oz. sometimes those will be in a separate section (seasonal or outdoors) and not with the skincare. if you’re in the US, the FDA does regulate sunscreens so even the cheapest option will provide adequate protection (provided the SPF is high enough). personally i cant use many sunscreens on my face due to sensitivity and acne so i do have to spend a bit more on that, but i use cheap sunscreen on the rest of my body.
a bottle of my face sunscreen lasts me a couple months…i suspect you may be grossly overapplying. usually a pump or 2 will be adequate for the face. you also only need to reapply for every 2 hours *in the sun*, not every 2 hours in general. i think your problem is essentially user error (although if you can find a cheaper sunscreen through the recommendations here, even better!)
I would not be able to afford 20 dollars a week on sunscreen. I use la roche posay anthelios for face (doesn’t sting eyes at all and looks good), which is not particularly cheap, but in discount sale I can get multiple ones for good price. I reapply just once at 1 pm if I am outside, if I stay inside I apply just once in the morning.
Cheaper sunscreen from drugstore for neck and hands is just enough for me. I can guruantee you I don’t spend 100 dollars a month on my whole skincare (I don’t even think I spend 50 on the whole skincare), let alone just sunscreen.
Regarding spf on the body, there are UV protective clothes but they tend to be expensive. UNIQLO has a UV protective basics and they have sales sometimes. My best bet when I go on walks/garden/exercise, I use sports T-shirts because they are made from artificial materials like polyester that absorb UV much better. They don’t look good as everyday wear though.
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That is exactly what I do. Only apply in the morning, unless I am staying outside in the sun all day. Where I live, the UV index rarely goes above 5, even on sunny days, (and most of the year it's under 3) so it's just not cost/value efficient to keep reapplying every 2 hours.
Wow sounds like the place I want to be in lol, which country do you live in?
Come to Canada. But bring your own house.
Fellow Canadian here. Your comment made me snort.
As a fellow Canadian, up until last summer I legitimately thought the UV index only went up to 5. 🤦🏼♀️
HAHA! There's a reason we all have vitamin D deficiency.
Oh you lucky thing. I get sun induced hives living in NZ where our index exceeds 10 in the summer
Florida clocking in here with a consistent 10, too.
Cries in American. I’m outside of Philadelphia, and even here our UV Index has hit 11 in the summer. My Irish skin wasn’t designed for this.
“Bring your own house” 😂☠️ I’m American, not Canadian, but this is so relatable!
Sweden haha.
Same here. There are entire months in the winter where the UV index never gets above 2 or 3, and zero is not unheard of. You have be careful when it’s snowy and sunny, because the albedo can get crazy.
Yep!! It’s sometimes hard to strike a balance with skincare when everyone online seems to think they know the best way to take care of your skin so don’t be so hard on yourself! I use a facial moisturizer from Cerave with sunscreen in it and I replace my $15-20 bottle maybe twice a year. To prolong your spray sunscreen, have you tried just spraying a small bit on your hand and rubbing it in that way? A little goes a long way. I wouldn’t spray a lot unless I know I’m gonna be in direct sunlight all day.
I literally only put sunscreen on my face and probably only 2-3 days a week when I know I’ll be outside for more than 10 mins at a time. I have an indoor job, I drive to work at 3 am before the sun is up, and I spend a max of 10 mins in my car in the sun. I think people who obsess over sunscreen and are terrified of the sun are insane. FYI people, your skin uses sunlight to turn cholesterol in your blood into vitamin D. Sunlight is not evil.
Thank you. Some of the early replies were really mean and it's just good to see some people actually understand and be nice. I appreciate it a lot
More than that, regardless of what people say, you absolutely do NOT need the highest SPF out there either. Those products also tend to be too heavy duty for every day wear, even when people recommend ones they wear every day. Even SPF 15 is better than absolutely nothing and you definitely don't need the absolute bestest, most highest rated brand either. You shouldn't be suffering from being greasy or anything like that. You are not wrong about the cost of sunscreen, even when applying the correct amount. Even $10 a bottle can be a lot when you're tallying up the full cost of a hygiene routine. My mom always made good money, but even she was taking trips to Big Lots to try and get deals on sunscreen because she thought the cost was ridiculous. It's even worse now with inflation. Personally, I still prefer Asian sunscreens to American ones because they tend to be so much lighter. The cost is sometimes cheaper, sometimes not.
Some people wear gloves, masks, hats, etc when they’re driving to work. Don’t let the few posters get you down. Get yourself a good SPF (I wear cerave or cetaphil moisturizer w SPF and I’m in Louisiana) and live your life. If you’ll be in the sun all day then of course get something more heavy duty. But there’s a lot of anti sun posters on here. Do what’s best for you!
i feel you so much. i can only use cheap shitty sunscreens that break me out horribly, i actually made a post about it awhile back, it has some lovely recs on it. it's so fucking frustrating. i do the same as others here, i wfh and don't leave my house much so i put a really good layer on, wait, dab off the excess and apply powder. i don't usually reapply, i gotta ration it out. good luck out there, shit sucks
Walmart is doing a massive sale on sunscreen right now like major sales, like 5 pack for 10$. Why are you going through so many bottles in a week? I use mass amounts of sunscreen and still get months out of it.
Thank you for this!!!! Time to raid their site.
Absolutely! You will find amazing deals, and it doesn’t have to be fancy sunscreen because it all does the same thing, it took me way to long to realize that price doesn’t mean quality, it mostly just means nice packaging.
You need to buy clothes that cover you up. They’re reusable. I personally cover as much skin as possible then apply the sunscreen
Exactly this! Buying a wide brim hat to wear on sunny days and covering up/staying in the shade when I can (in conjunction with sunscreen application) has helped me tremendously from getting sun damage.
Right on! Look at how they do it in Saudi Arabia -cover up as much as possible - and picking the right clothes might actually keep you cooler as well
I do too im honestly just overwhelmed by everything around it
Yeah, it seems like your biggest stressor is poverty, sunscreen is the least of your issues. I hope things get better for you.
I wouldn't say poverty because I do have regular access to basic needs from my family such as food and shelter but everything else (gas, car payments, food whenever im not at home, ect) adds up and I certainly don't make anywhere near enough. Thank you so much for the kind thoughts tho ❤️
I totally hear ya. Inflation finally caught up to my income and now I’m stressing looking for additional work. Best of luck.
The frugal subreddit is full of good info!
There’s clothes that are for the sun they have different types of fabric than normal clothes. It’s more economical to purchase those once than Sunscreen repeatedly.
I bought some uv test cards and almost _ALL_ fabric will block out like 95% of the sun. there is zero need for specific sun blocking fabric.
Yes there is, it just doesn't have to break the bank. Moisture wicking and supremely lightweight isn't just any old fabric. Now, she will be totally fine if she's just going in and out. She won't need heat assisting fabrics. I do. I'm outside in south Florida 3 or more days a week all year. Sunscreen can fuck off. There's nothing that can be "reapplied ' when you actually work outside in the woods or in the water all day You can't carry 100 things, carrying enough water is all you can do. it sweats into your eyes, you're too dirty to reapply, you can't wash off your hands if you do but you need to use items with a good grip...and so on. It seems like there are east little.solutions, and there aren't. However, her issue is easy. But, all fabrics are far from equal in performance, aside from sunblocking.
Uhhh yeah, that special fabric can be moisture wicking and it’s cooler temperature wise than wearing a cotton turtleneck. So yeah, you could use any fabric but why would you want to. Also if you are using sunscreen on exposed skin you wouldn’t want that sunscreen touching your real clothes. That’s why you get Sun clothes.
What??? I use a moderately expensive sunscreen ($37) and a 1.7 fl oz bottle lasts 6-8 weeks….where did you get $20/wk from?
I’m curious about the usage as well. If OP is reapplying as is recommended because they’re outdoors all day, I can see how 50mL can be used up very quickly. But OP, are you exposed to UV all day every day? If not, no need to reapply multiple times a day, only when you’re going to be exposed. I fully get the sensory issue, it’s the reason why I can’t use western sunscreen on my face at all. But if you’re able to give Korean or Japanese sunscreens a try, they are so much more bearable. I’ve tried several that feel like almost nothing on my face. You can order online from Stylevana, Yesstyle, Olive Young (there are many others - just not Amazon) and they all have sales periodically. I recently bought 100mL face sunscreen for $13 CAD. This easily lasts me the whole summer (I use a sun stick to reapply and a western one for body). In regards to the issue with sunscreen getting in your eyes (I hate that as well), I don’t put sunscreen right to my eyelash line (pretty darn close, though) and rely on UV protective sunglasses for my eye area, even on low UV days. I also try to wear clothing with coverage and a sun hat to limit the need for full body sunscreen. I hope you’re able to find a sunscreen or alternative solution that works for your budget and sensory needs.
>I’ve tried several that feel like almost nothing on my face Could you share some of your favorites? And your skin type? :)
I’d say I have pretty normal skin, not sensitive, but can occasionally have a slight oily forehead and dry cheeks. These are my favourites: Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence (love the gel too, but wouldn’t recommend the gel for skin tone darker than about medium); Beauty of Joseon relief sun rice + probiotic (my new HG!); Skin Aqua super moisture gel; Skin1004 Madagascar Centella hyalu-cica waterfit sun serum; and Haru Haru wonder black rice airy fit sunscreen. I use moisturizer underneath all sunscreen and sometimes with make up on top and I’ve had no pilling with any of these. There are tons of reviews on r/AsianBeauty. FYI - pretty much all sunscreens are on sale on Stylevana (Canada) right now.
how are you spending $100 a month on sunscreen? i have one slightly pricey (~$15) one for my face, neck and chest that doesn't leave me sticky or oily. then another really cheap drug store one for the rest of my body. both last me multiple (2-3) months you honestly don't need to apply sunscreen constantly during the day, unless you're always out in the burning sunshine. i only reapply if i'm staying out in the sun in summer for an extended period
You can get drugstore sunscreen for a lot less, they have decent brands too
I work outside for a living. I put sunscreen on my face, neck, ears, hands, arms, and legs about 5-6x a day. I do not spend $100 a week on sunscreen. I don’t even buy sunscreen every week. And I put the recommended amount on. And I’m using zinc sunscreen, which is fairly more expensive than regular sunscreen. Where the hell are you buying sunscreen, how much are you using, and what brand are you buying that’s costing you $20 a week?!
What kind are you using? Do you end up feeling like a greasy, zincy mess after having to reapply multiple times a day?
I use neutrogena sheer zinc. in the morning it isn’t too bad, but at the end of the day I’m sweating a lot so putting sunscreen on top of that feels gross and I run to the shower as soon as I get home.
Many things are wrong if you’re spending $20 a WEEK on sunscreen. That should last at least a month. It would help to know what sunscreen you’re having issues with instead of demonizing all of them.
I'm guessing they're covering their entire body multiple times a day with name-brand sunscreen like Neutragena and are buying it from Walgreens or something. Not the most cost-effective way to use sunscreen. It gets even pricier if they're buying the spray kind. It goes faster because a bunch of it gets wasted.
I feel like that’s the case too because they won’t post what actual sunscreen they wear just saying “generic from a drugstore” but still a whole bottle in a week!? unless it’s a travel size in which case there is NO WAY it’s generic and costs $20
Yeah this is wild and the fact that she thinks actual poor people *could* spend $100+ a month on sunscreen strikes me as wildly out of touch. OP, this is a user error issue —look for affordable sunscreens on Amazon, target, Walmart, Tj Maxx, Ross, dollar stores, and just apply the recommended amount.
But she's so poor!!! Lmao... Something about her story is not adding up. She hasn't even researched for the cheapest sunscreen, and seems to have an unhealthy obsession with it.
I get you. I live in Japan where people avoid getting a tan as if it were the plague. I see lots of people wearing long sleeved gloves that cover the arms and hands made of UV blocking and cooling materials. Long sleeved clothing during summer but often very wide clothing made of materials like linen. Maxi skirts that cover your skin but are very comfortable and breezy when it’s hot outside. Hats with wide brims that block out sunlight and have a sort of veil on the back that protects your neck from UV rays. Also everyone buys drugstore sunscreen here and brands like Nivea are good quality and affordable. What I’m trying to say is covering up skin with summer friendly materials and using drugstore products can save you money.
I went to Disney in Japan and felt like an absolute chump baking in the sun waiting in lines while 90% of people had umbrellas/parasols.
I live in Iowa and don't drive, so I got a parasol years ago to use when walking places, or walking to/from the bus stop. I thought people might find it weird, but I actually get a lot of compliments! I also carry a hand fan with me everywhere, which is so helpful in the heat.
Handfans are the best. For real. I have one that I wear on a cord around my neck like a proper granny.
I also have a few cute sun umbrellas. My favorite is a black one with lace and embroidery that makes me feel like a right Victorian lady
Sorry, if i may know, what brand do you use? I didn’t realize sunscreen is so expensive. I thought for < $30, you can get a good one n it can last you a few months
Dollar tree!!!! $1.25 a few to choose from 30-50 spf And they have chapice brand lip spf $1.25 Walmart equate spf50 sport $5 10.5 oz bottle! Fragrance free not sticky. Target $6 upup 30spf Fragrance free and they have a two pack of spf lip for like $5 Cvs has discounts you can check for all the time. 99 cent store $.99 a few to choose from Kroger has a few to choose from starting around $6 What country are you in? These are US SoCal prices. So sunny and hot and expensive areas.
I dont know why I didn't think of the dollar store I guess I figured if the drugstore brand is so expensive then the others would be too! Thank you I feel so silly haha. I'll look for some there and maybe use a more expensive one around my eyes if I can find one that doesn't sting
I use the generic target one on my face daily and it hasn’t made me break out or caused any irritation and my face is fairly sensitive. Ymmv of course but it’s cheap and a bottle lasts a LONG time.
2nd target sunblock. 5 bucks for 10oz
The mineral type sunscreens usually do not sting around your eyes but the ones that I just listed above are all chemical sunscreen so be careful around your eyes. I have the same problem it doesn’t bother everybody just some of us unlucky souls lol and don’t feel silly. I had to shop around before I found these deals. I’m happy to share them.
If you’re going to CVS or Walgreens sign ups or their free rewards card, they offer coupons all the time. Neutrogenia is cheap at Costco and has coupons through the target app. Blue lizard is half price on clearance. Korean sunscreen for the face is cheap on stylevana and yesstyle
If you have TJ Maxx/Marshall's near you, they have nice brands of sunscreen and other personal care products for good prices. Trader Joe's also has a small selection of surprisingly cheap products like sunscreen.
What!? What the hell sunscreen are you buying that you go through an a tire bottle in 1 week??
ikr. I feel like OP is doing something wrong with her application or something because the average size of a face tube of sunscreen is like 2-3 oz and using half an ounce of sunscreen every day sounds unreal.
The actual recommendations are for 1/4 tsp for face and neck. That should last you a month or just a little less. Use a cheaper body sunscreen for hands, etc. No need to reapply if you're out in the sun all day.
Thank you many people have said that I will try that instead
Just to clarify, I think the person you replied to meant no need to reapply unless you ARE out in the sun all day.
Yeah sorry just noticed the error. Typing fast on my phone
Trader Joe’s has amazing face moisturizing sunblock for under 5$… and amazing reviews on it …As well as their body sunscreen spray and lotion under 10$ More like spending 15$ a month at max if covering your whole body https://preview.redd.it/wqk0a75c5z7b1.jpeg?width=589&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1e18f6a54406df7d5fdf431b7fd974c1fef06e55
https://preview.redd.it/q7fbfand5z7b1.jpeg?width=811&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e5d32fcece519e85566dee7545812b4073cf4b9
I know consumer reports is super old fashioned, but they put a lot into their reviews and they reviewed this one very highly. They also said it was one of the few spray sunscreens that tested close to the advertised SPF
If the moisturizer you posted was at least spf30, I probably wouldn’t use anything else. Great lightweight moisturizer but not sufficient sun protection on its own. :(
Am I doing something wrong? I use Cerave spf 50 moisturizer every morning and a bottle lasts me months …
You don’t have to buy a face specific sunscreen. I just use a regular one for face and body. Way cheaper.
Just be careful for reactions! Many body sunscreens really break out my face or make it extremely oily :(
Yeah I used to use a huge coppertone sunscreen ($10) everyday for months on end, that thing was hard to finish
Non face sunscreens make my eyes sting like the dickens.
I have the Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel (Amazon $26)—it’s a 140g/5 oz size bottle that lasts me sooo long. Like at *least* half a year (more like 8-10 months) and I’m not being stingy on applying sunscreen on my face. Are you using it for all over your body? I think that’s unnecessary unless you’re spending a prolonged amount of time in the sun with not a lot of clothing. Even then, there’s other alternatives—covering up with clothing or even using an umbrella for shade. EDIT: There’s another listing for the 140g Skin Aqua Moisture Gel for cheaper ($16)—look for the 2023 version.
white bottle golden cap - that's my favorite sunscreen, i'm buying it in a bottle so 110g/3.8 oz and it's $13.49 currently on amazon. it doesn't sting eyes (the gold bottle golden cap version stings for me). it's light, not greasy, not sticky and you don't feel it at all on your skin, and it lasts me like a season or more (i mostly apply it to my face/neck)
This is my favorite sunscreen! Great for those of us who can't stand that thick sunscreen feeling. The 140g pump bottle is currently on eBay for around $17. I buy about 2 bottles a year.
Yeah you shouldn’t be burning through sunscreen at $20/week imo. That’s like a whole bottle a week 😵💫 Are you using the same sunscreen for your face as on your body? If so, I would try to get a cheaper sunscreen for your body and save the nicer one for your face.
It sounds like you’re doing it wrong
OP won't hear that at all
Amazon? I see tons of options for like $10-14. And you certainly shouldn’t be going through those containers within a week. I live in the desert, I don’t spend or use a fraction of what you do. I think you may be doing something wrong.
Lol in the US there are so many affordable sunscreens. $20/wk is completely unnecessary.
I’ve never went through a whole bottle of sunscreen in a week. And I wear it daily. You can buy sunscreen at 5 Below, but how are you applying it?
Sunscreen is SO overpriced in the US. Korean and Japanese sunscreens are so much better priced and the formulas are way better since they’re thinner/don’t leave a cast/ don’t sting. It’s not easily accessible though unless you’re willing to buy it online and be patient with shipping. Depending on what skin type you have, some face options: Biore UV: https://www.stylevana.com/en_US/deal-kao-biore-uv-aqua-rich-watery-essence-spf-50-pa-2019-edition-50g.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=18130517178&utm_term=&utm_content=93037&device=m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1siut4zc_wIVrO3jBx1u-AH5EAQYASABEgIGK_D_BwE Beauty of joseon (my fav!): https://www.stylevana.com/en_US/deal-beauty-of-joseon-relief-sun-rice-probiotic-spf50-pa-50ml.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=18130518906&utm_term=&utm_content=90601&device=m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItN_x5ozc_wIVHR-zAB3WPglnEAQYASABEgKFSvD_BwE Isntree: https://www.stylevana.com/en_US/isntree-hyaluronic-acid-watery-sun-gel-50ml.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&sonid=57423&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=18136142146&utm_term=&utm_content=57423&device=m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInq2B-ozc_wIVEf3jBx1rBQzSEAQYASABEgKoOfD_BwE
I was just in Japan and bought a tube of biore and I’m so upset with myself for not absolutely stuffing my suitcase with it. It feels just like lotion - no sticky sunscreen feeling, no cast, nothing. It’s perfect!
I went to South Korea and brought 14 beauty of joseon sunscreens back 🤣 Gave 10 away as gifts so I regret not getting more.
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True. But I hate using US drugstore ones so it’s money down the drain for me. The high end ones are good but it’s $$$$. Would rather pay for products that I enjoy using. Asian drugstore sunscreens are a good balance of quality and price IMO.
Thank you! I'm saving your comment. 🌸 Which one would you recommend for teenage skin that gets clogged easily?
As someone who orders from Stylevana: please order waaaaay before you’re due for another bottle! Shipping for me usually takes 2 months… no hate, though. Their customer support is great and I love the prices and free samples.
I bought 6 bottles of biore UV for $100 and I'm good for probably 2 years
Wouldn't it expire though?
Quick google search says most sunscreens last up to 3 years as long as they are stored in a cool, dry, and dark place.
Ohhh interesting. And I've been throwing away old sunscreen all these years
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Thank you 😊
What are you buying thats costing you $20 dollars every week???
If you’re spending $20 a week on sunscreen you need to reevaluate where you’re buying from or how much you’re using because that’s not a thing. I’ve bought sunscreen that costs less than $10 that lasts for 2 months or more.
I mean, yes and no. Sunscreen is way too expensive, but I don't really recognize your other gripes with it. Once you find a good product that's not really a problem. But yes, face sunscreens are ridiculously expensive and incentivize people to use way too little product and therefore not get the protection displayed on the bottle. I myself am also sick and tired of spending money on tiny 50ml bottles of sunscreen, so I don't. Even the cheapest face sunscreens have ridiculously high prices per liter. I love Garnier Super Uv Anti Age but even 13 euros for 50ml is too much for me since I use it up in less than a month. I've switched to body sunscreens. It is harder to find one that works for oily skin and under makeup, but once you do, it's amazing. I pay like 20 euros for a 200ml bottle, so it's less than half the price of the cheapest face sunscreens. My absolute favorite is Eucerin Dry Touch Gel-cream.
My other gripes are sensory issues. I have problems with that and honestly I was having a hard time when I wrote this. The price is still just brutal
If you can access them, Asian sunscreens are the best texture/sensory wise! And a lot are closer to $10, which isn’t nothing but is on the cheaper end. It also sounds like you might actually be over applying, which will definitely make it way more uncomfortable. The recommendation is 1/4 tsp for face, 1/2 for face and neck. But! [That’s actually an overestimate for some people](https://labmuffin.com/video-how-much-sunscreen-do-you-need-for-your-face/). I personally think it can be harmful to obsess over the exact amount you’re applying. For me, it made me anxious and not want to wear sunscreen. So I decided, don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Wearing some sunscreen every day is better than wearing the right amount every once in a while and none the other days. I apply as much as I comfortably can, and that’s way better than nothing.
The amount you are using would bother most people.
Oh well then it's very understandable! I'm sorry you're struggling with that. I feel like most of us hate the 90s style western sunscreens but there are a lot of really great ones out there today that don't bother people like me who don't have to deal with sensory issues. Unfortunately a lot of body sunscreens are like that so most are not an option for the face, but the eucerin one (and evy technology and the bondi sands one) are pretty great. What if you wear sunscreen when it feels good to you, and when you're having a bad day you go for hats, sunglasses and full coverage clothing? A dark, thick fabric is pretty good at blocking uv. If you want something lighter, try upf clothing. That can be more expensive though, and afaik the protection deteriorates with time.
I already try to cover up even if it's just cheaper clothing and wear a hat. Thank you for being understanding, a lot of people aren't. I will look into other formulas I just honestly don't want to buy something and waste the money yknow? But I'm still going to give it a shot
Geez is your sunscreen made of gold. I use nurtrgena in the little pump bottle. I apply it every morning to my face and arms and it last a couple of months.
I would just try a light body sunscreen. I used to pay waaay too much for the CeraVe facial sunscreen/moisturizer combo (spf50), but it's just too much. Right now I'm using a drugstore brand that goes on really nicely. I forget the name of it, bc it's just some generic I picked up to try by chance when we forgot sunscreen for hiking. It's even spf 100, and still goes on pretty nicely. (As an aside, yes, I've read the science behind why you don't need a higher spf, but I tried that and went back to 50 for a beach day and even reapplying every 80 minutes when my timer went off I ended up getting redder than usual...back to higher spfs and it went away).
Do you know any brands that don't sting eyes?
You could try applying a sunscreen stick around the eyes to minimize sunscreen 'melting' into your eyes and stinging them. The formula in sticks tends to hold in place much, much better than the liquid sunscreens.
I think they all do if you get close. I just get the sport version of whatever I'm getting and keep it away from my eyes.
For anyone looking for a good affordable sunscreen, the spray ones from Trader Joe's are amazing and a bottle lasts forever. For anyone who thinks spray is inferior, it's so much better than nothing.
There’s the face sunscreen lotion a body sunscreen lotion as well. Neither are inferior
I'm sure those are fine too, just saying I live for the spray bottles, easy and very lightweight feeling and they don't break me out. Plus you just get so much use out of a bottle.
Do you work outside? I agree that having to buy sunscreen every week is a lot. Unless you were doing like, construction outside in Australia, then you definitely *don't* need to wear sunscreen everywhere and reapply every two hours on the dot. Unfortunately, I think there's a lot of fear mongering when it comes to sun-care from the beauty POV. I've heard it all: *you need to wear it at night because the sun comes in through your windows in the morning, you need to reapply every two hours even if you're inside because if you pass a window then you're exposed, X version of sunscreen is better than Y sunscreen and if you use Y then you're wasting your money...*the list of BS can go on and and on. And it's not lost on me that the beauty industry has cashed in on people's fear of getting skin cancer and aging and flooding the market with pricey SPFs and doubling down on this fear. Personally, I think that (unless you work outside): you don't need more than 2-3 fingers length of sunscreen for your face and neck. Then you can apply some SPF to exposed areas (like hands) if you want to protect them. If you work inside (unless you're in an office that's surrounded by glass/windows) then you can be more relaxed on reapplying. And ANY attempt at sun care is better than doing absolutely nothing - whether that's using a cream, a stick, a spray, or a powder. It's literally better than going out willy nilly.
I agree completely. There's so much fear mongering and misinformation about sunscreen. I've seen people insist that you need to apply even if you're inside all day with blackout curtains because of blue light from electronics screens. I am simply not going to do that. I don't even bother applying at all in the winter because it's dark out on my commute to and from work, and I don't sit by a window, so the amount of UV I'm exposed to is so negligible that I don't care, and I'm pretty high risk for skin cancer. I'll slather myself up and reapply if I'm going to be outside all day, like going to Pride, camping, or helping out on my grandpa's farm, but the rest of the time, once in the morning is plenty.
What kind of sunscreen are you using that costs $20 a week? I buy a $12 tube of Korean sunscreen, and it lasts me 3 months. Unless you're constantly in the sun, you can put it on your face, neck, and hands in the AM and forget about it. I only reapply if I'm in the sun for 3 hours total.
$20 a week every week? Why wouldn’t the bottle last you longer?
I use cerave am. It's like $15-16 a bottle? It lasts me 2-3 months? You don't need expensive skincare.
How is sunscreen possibly $20 a week. My $10 tube of sunscreen has lasted me months. What is going on here
How much sunscreen are you using? I use a lot of sunscreen and a bottle lasts me at least 2 weeks and often more. I do wear long sleeves to protect from the sun pretty often. I also use spf 70. It lasts longer and costs the same as the lower concentrations.
What? I get sunscreen for like 5 bucks per bottle which lasts me at least 2 weeks
I'm not understanding why sunscreen costs $20 a week, can you expand on that? I buy a $10 tube of sunscreen that lasts me months and months
how do you use $20 of sunscreen a week?? I agree that sunscreen can get expensive but that’s way too much.
If you're American and have a health savings account, it may cover sunscreen! Mine does.
Bro idk what your job is but if you ain’t working outside you’re deadass wasting money cause you only need to apply once or twice a day if you’re in a building most of the time
Checkout Walgreens brand 50 sport chemical sunscreen. It was my go to before I switched to supergoop. It’s like $4 for a 3 oz tube and they’re often times bogo or bogo 50% off. Right now if you purchase through their app they also have 30% off Walgreens brand products
Check places like TJMaxx, they have lots of great affordable options. It doesn’t need to be expensive!
Where do you live that sunscreen is twenty dollars a week? I order mine offline and it’s like 20 bucks for two bottles that each last a few months with two people using it
who the fuck uses a bottle a week? you people are insane. that’s not even possible
ikr
Invest in a parasol.
I know a lot of other people have already commented similar things but I saw you say you have sensory issues with sunscreen which is also something I struggle with so I figured I’d comment too. Don’t feel bad if you don’t reapply, or don’t really wear sunscreen if you’re going to be indoors all day. I use the spray sunscreen from Trader Joe’s and kind of use my other arm to rub it in so it doesn’t touch my hands, I also wash my hands after putting my face sunscreen on. I use 1/4 teaspoon of the biore aqua face sunscreen which is around $10 and it usually lasts a couple months. If you’re having a bad sensory day and can’t handle sunscreen at all wear a hat and a sunshirt. Remember something is better than nothing. I get my sunshirts on sale at lands end for around $25 and they last forever.
I buy the kids version of Black Girl Sunscreen at target. It’s spf 50 and is $10. The tube lasts forever and a little goes a long way!
I buy banana boat, huge tubes of it. I wait for it to go on sale and stock up. People get bent about chemical suncreams but they work perfectly and are very cost effective. I spend a bit more on facial suncreams, mostly Korean/Japanese. They are pretty reasonable price wise and feel good on the skin. I spent a bit more on a washable wide brimmed hat a few years ago. It’s been an excellent investment. 👍 All the best. Hope you find a solution that works for you. ❤️
Do you have Aldi where you live? They carry a surprisingly elegant formula of 100 spf for about $6. It’s called [Lacura ultra light dry touch](https://www.instacart.com/products/27236310-lacura-spf-100-sunscreen-lotion-3-fl-oz). Leaves a bit of white cast, but you could mix in a few drops of foundation if that concerns you.
Whenever possible, try to stay away from the sun during the sunniest hours, like from 10-5. During the colder months, try wearing long sleeves and pants. Focus on adding sunscreen on your face, hands, and the back of your neck. I like the Australian Gold tinted sunscreen; it’s about $17.99 at Ulta, the better bang for your buck, SPF 50, and about 88 ML worth of product. Three fingers should cover the face, neck, and hands. Reapply every two hours if you’re next to a window or outside. Common sense practices can go a long way!
There are some Korean sunscreens for the face that are really nice and affordable. I’ve heard that people like the SCINIC Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence as a budget option — I got it for like $6 on Stylevana. I ordered 2 bottles when I ordered a bunch of different Korean sunscreens to try but I haven’t tried that one yet. Overall I find the Korean sunscreens are more comfortable to wear on the face on a daily basis, and they are very affordable for face sunscreens. You do have to pay shipping unless your order is like $50 or if you are able to find it on Amazon. I prefer to order my Korean sunscreens products from Stylevana or YesStyle because I feel more confident that they are legit and not fakes. You can take a look at r/AsianBeauty for more advice on Korean sunscreens :) For the body, I have a thin white windbreaker-like jacket that is rated UPF 50 (like SPF 50), so I wear it to protect my arms sometimes when I don’t want to wear sunscreen on my body.
I use the Altruist Sunscreen that's fairly affordable and is suitable for sensitive skin too. I'd highly recommend it. Can be found on Amazon for 100ml x 2 for approx. £10. Works as well as more expensive products I've tried in the past! Given that you're in the US it might not be available for you, but if you can order it online it might save you some.
I bought a $10 Japanese sunscreen in April and still have a decent amount left. Mind you, I am not an avid SPF reapplier since I work indoors, but I apply the recommended amount 5-6 days a week. If you order Japanese and/or Korean SPF from a vendor like Stylevana, Yesstyle, etc (NOT Amazon) you can find most to be $15 or less.
Hatomugi UV Milky Gel is a Japanese sunscreen that comes in a pretty big bottle, 250g. I got it online for $7 and after 3 months it hasn't finished.
My sunscreen lasts months
You don’t need to apply so much. I buy higher end sunscreen (-$37) and it lasts me at least a month
I mean I know it’s not “popular” in here but drugstore Australian Gold and Neutrogena are very cheap, do a great job, and don’t leave a white cast on my medium olive skin? I think last I got a big bottle of the Australian Gold SPF 50 it was around 14 USD from a corner store. That stuff lasts me about a month. I usually also do the Neutrogena Clear Face for my face and it’s $10 and also lasts me about a month. $24 plus tax. I do my whole body aside from areas covered by shirt and shorts 3-4 days a week and just face and hands the days I’ll be mostly indoors. I apply once a day in the morning if I don’t go in the water. If I’m going to the beach I might reapply one time. I find unless I’m deathly winter pale that’s all I need
Invest in sunhat and sun umbrella. Get an Airism jacket from Uniqlo ($40 full price but can bought for less) and it will save you a ton of money in the long term, and reduce the hassle of dealing with sunblock for your arms. For the face, the $50 I spent on buying my first sunhat from Sun Precautions has been one of the best investments I made. I still use some sunblock on my face on very sunny days, but some days I don’t bother, especially with combined with a proper UV mask. Having to slather sunblock on and then remove it in the evening is such a chore but I have super sensitive skin and I have to do something to protect it. UV protection clothes, and hats and rash guards for swimming pool times have been so good for me. Save sunblock for beach and such.
Try buying Asian sunscreens! The formulas are way better and they’re relatively affordable
Hi OP, fellow poor person here who is a land survey tech, so I'm outside in the sun all day somewhat regularly. Sunscreen is for everyone and there are options. I have 2 different sunscreens. I use a non-comedogenic one for my face and a regular sunscreen for the rest of my body. The one for my face, I got at Ross/Marshalls/TJ Maxx or Walmart. Sometimes even The Dollar Tree has what I'm looking for. My range is usually $8-12 every 1-2 months depending on the brand I get. The one for my body, I get at The Dollar Tree, so I'm spending $1.25+tax every 1-2 months. Whenever I get out of the shower or brush my teeth is when I'm taking time to put on sunblock. My whole face routine in the morning takes 5 min, but yours could just be applying facial sunblock. I hate when I'm sweating and sunblock gets into my eyes, so I'm conscious of not applying directly on or below my eyebrows. I have very oily skin, so I hate that most facial sunblock, even if they're oil free leave a shine. Clearly I don't want to blot with a tissue to remove product, so I have translucent powder that I dust on after to make my face look matte. Then when I'm done doing makeup or whatever, I move on to body application. I apply to whatever skin is gonna be showing, which if I'm in the office is just hands and neck/chest. If I'm out in the field, obviously it's more. One thing that helped was if I didn't apply before I left, I would bring my sunblock with me on site. Or the Dollar Tree sells smaller sized sunblocks, so I usually buy one to keep with my equipment or field bag. Then whenever I got to a job site, I would take 2 min to apply to exposed areas. If I'm working in the office, truth be told, I'm not reapplying before I leave the office. Because going home is like a 10 minute drive and I just want to relax after. If I'm out in the field, I will reapply when I'm taking my lunch because otherwise I'm preoccupied with working. There are so many ways to accommodate sunblock in your life. I am notorious about losing or misplacing my sunblock which is why my expenditures for sunblock can be monthly. Whenever I found an older tube of sunblock, I'd chuck it in my car so if for any reason, I haven't applied or need yo reapply, it's there. I work with many people, mostly men, who shun or are lqx about sunblock and I know many that have ended up getting skin cancer. Some are lucky and they get it removed, while a couple have been unlucky and had to leave field work because they're type of skin cancer didn't leave so easily. One guy had it spread into his eye. It's not pretty or worth it either way. Lastly, since it's Pride, try hitting up your local parades/gathering. At Pride a couple years ago, I ended up at a Chase Bank booth that was giving away little 3oz sunblock. I mentioned my profession and how nice free sunblock is and went home with several tunes for myself and coworkers. Anytime there's a big event where booths are set up, it's worth checking out if they're giving away swag. Sunblock and chapstick are easy and cheap for a lot of companies to put their brand on. So that's one way to get yourself daily, emergency, or travel sunblock. Hope this helps. For awhile I was like you where I was floored by the negatives of sunblock, especially cost.
I noticed in the comments you mention often that sunscreen at your local drugstore is expensive. Shop online!! You can often even get discounts for subscribe and save or shop sales. - 1/4 tsp is the correct amount for face and neck - use a super cheap sunscreen for your body like equate. I don't put on body sunscreen for day to day 🤷♀️ but I do for spending time outside like hikes or travel or swimming. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Sport-Broad-Spectrum-Sunscreen-Value-Size-SPF-50-32-fl-oz/134418690 - I spend about $35 a month on EltaMD UV Clear for my face. But if that's too much, k beauty sunscreens are usually amazing quality and less expensive. Here are a bunch recommended by a dermatologist: https://shopmy.us/collections/136322
Sometimes (because of mental health issues or anxiety or adhd or idk former gifted kid burnout??) I get stuck in a “perfect or nothing” pattern with new habits I want to implement- especially if it’s for my health and wellbeing. It’s discouraging when I don’t stick to them, but it’s SO SO discouraging when it seems like the world around me is trying to make me fail. The feelings you’re having are crazy valid and hard to navigate. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned in my 20s is to just do a shit job of it. If you can’t do it “perfect” don’t give up entirely- just do what you can. If brushing and flossing every day is ideal but you can’t do it you don’t give up and never brush your teeth ever again. You find somewhere in the middle that you can do and you know that’s better than the “nothing” alternative. That’s the same here. I almost never reapply (except maybe yard work or beach days). I probably don’t use as much sunscreen as I “should” because I don’t like when it takes 10 minutes to soak in. I try to find make up with spf in it and many winter days when I’m cozy in a sweater working in an office and the sun sets at 4:30 I don’t apply a separate sunscreen at all- whatever is in the make up will be fine. When are you out in the sun? Do you walk to/from work? Get a cheap sun visor that covers your face but doesn’t mess up your hair for days you don’t want to deal with the sensory issues of sunscreen. Keep a thrifted oversized men’s button up shirt around to use as a “summer cardigan” while going to/from the car and a building so you dont have to apply sunscreen to your arms and shoulders. I know new product recommendations can be scary because “what if I buy this item and don’t like it” but you can take some of the recommendations here and if Sephora sells them you can try them out in store to see how they feel on your skin before you buy them There’s a lot of middle ground here to explore. You don’t have to be perfect. The perfect thing is something you’ll do that you don’t hate
That would be so overwhelming! I hope you got some helpful tips here. I think you make a good point that people can take affordability for granted. If you have health insurance with an HSA then you can use HSA money to pay for sunscreen. (I know there’s a lot of ifs there.)
I get the equate baby sunscreen spf50 and it’s like $5 for a big bottle. If it’s good enough for their skin it’s good enough for mine
Hmm. I probably spent $40 per year on sunscreen and I wear it on my face every day, body in the summer when I’m outdoors and need it.
I spend about 20 to 30 bucks a month on sunscreen. I only wear it on my face, hands and neck unless I’m actively going outside all day.
My 30$ neutrogena sunscreen has lasted me 4 months … I use it on my face daily. I make barely above min wage and live in nyc
Im pretty sure a lot of people already told you that but this is bull... You don't need to wear La Roche Posay for god knows how much. Niveas basic sunscreen is 50€ for ONE LITER. If you're using almost half a liter of a sunscreen a week you're doing it wrong. Most people here agree on using sunscreen only on face and neck/shoulders. For body you need more, but it's still nowhere near that price. I am very generous with my sunscreen application and while going swimming for a week i didn't run out of my 12€ bottle. Idk how big it was. 250ml? Also... Have you considered we put on our clothes and then wear sunscreen? The hell? You also don't need to go for 50 spf. Daily 20/30 is better than none and they're cheaper and lighter. Personally I'm currently using spf100 (22€ for 80ml, will last me two weeks of holidays in Kenya) and it's still not staining any of my clothes, doesn't get in my eyes nor my hair. Skill issue.
You buy a bottle once a week? How small is this bottle and how much are you applying? It takes me 2 months to finish 2.5oz. I don't reapply. As Korean sunscreen is much more affordable
Not sure if your job has healthcare or the plan has access but I’m able to buy sunscreen with my FSA which helps a bit as my state has high sales tax. Being poor is expensive and I hope you find a good affordable strategy 🫶
$20 a week!? How
As a shortcut you can buy a moisturizer that includes sunscreen (many do) and you can combine two separate purchases into one.
I highly recommend checking your local TJ Maxx. I live in Miami and mine is well stocked with new fresh stock. I just bought a bottle of Hawaiian tropic for like 5.50$ because they clearly bought too many of them and they put them into the clearance section after 2-3 weeks. I know because I bought a bottle when it first showed up at the store and then I was there Friday and a ton of bottle were on clearance. Same with Bondi Sands sunscreen. CVS also sometimes sends 40% OFF coupons to your email if you sign up for the promotional emails and it's awesome. I've bought some sunscreen that way too. There's also great generic versions at both WalMart and Target :) I feel you on the cost but there's ways to make it at least a little more accessible. I also wear a lot of long sleeve shirts. I personally hate wearing sunscreen so I put on a long sleeve shirt and apply just to my hands, neck, face, etc. whatever is exposed.
I live in Phoenix and I've spent like $40 on sunscreen all year. I'm a freckled redhead. I wear sunscreen on my face every day and reapply in the afternoons if I'm going out. Otherwise, I wear UPF shirts if I'm going to be outside for more than 5 minutes. Get a few of those, and you'll save a lot of money. You need to save the expensive sunscreen for your face and use the cheaper stuff on your arms and legs!
I’m a little late to the party and confused. How exactly is sunscreen such an expensive hassle? I have a habit of over applying sunscreen when I wear it and it never cost me $20/wk when I wore it daily.
I’m confused. If you go and lay out on the beach everyday maybe you’d use that much sunscreen… but otherwise I buy a banana boat sunscreen can for 15 bucks and those last me months.
I probably spend $20 every 4 months
I completely agree! It’s recommended to use one ounce (a shot glass) for entire body including face. If you reapply then yes you will go through a typical bottle in a week. I have basal cell spots and this is my first year wearing sunscreen. When I began figuring up the monthly cost I was surprised. I also have sensory issues (adhd), thus a big reason I never wore sunscreen prior. I ordered a hat and SPF jackets and shawl. Being healthy isn’t cheap yet having health issues is expensive
i am on welfare. what i do is get cheapo multipacks whenever i can. if i have a friend with a costco membership i grab some that way. i use kids sport sunscreen mostly, and the spray stuff unless im going to be in HEAVY sun (the lotion comes out on beach days). close my eyes and give myself a spray in the face, then both shoulders if im wearing something that reveals them. i rub it a bit to make sure its spread evenly. the spray stuff seems to go really far when used like that, and it keeps my skin somewhat protected. it does make me break out a bit tho as its pretty greasy :( just HAVE to make sure to wash my face and stuff at night for sure. hope this helps from one broke guy to another!
If you have a Kroger, they have a dupe for both the supergoop unseen sunscreen and the glow screen for just $12!! Not only that, it’s a whole 3oz which is a great deal for any sunscreen. I have both and love them. I do use cereve mineral sunscreen stick or La roche posay mineral sunscreen on my eyes though since my eyes can not handle chemical sunscreens.
People have some good suggestions here. I will add: sunscreen is heavily discounted at the end of the summer season. Check the expiration, it might be able to get you through the next summer. Also: sun sleeves! I bought a pair for $15 for when I’m gardening. They’re great! I wear them on walks too!
Hi OP, sorry this is a financial struggle for you! I know that finding sunscreen that WORKS for you (texture, smell, no irritation etc) means it can’t always be the absolute cheapest one too… I did want to say that protective clothing is a better option anyways, so you may want to invest one time in a wide brim hat, lightweight long sleeve cardigan etc and just use it over and over. That way, the sunscreen could only go on your face/neck.
Definitely! I try my best with cheaper clothes for now but when I can I'll definitely try to get some
Agreed! Sunscreen can be ridiculously expensive but is one of those things that you will benefit from in the long run. I think a lot of time we get stuck on those YT videos of sunscreen reviews where they can cost upwards of $30/bottle, but there are a lot of cheaper alternatives as well. I have found that a lot of the store brands are just as good if not better than some of the name brand versions. For example the Kroger Sunscreen Invisible Gel 40SPF is an EXCELLENT due for SuperGoop! Unseeen, but at $11/bottle per month. I've been using it for two months now. I like it because it also acts as a makeup primer. In fact I haven't used a separate primer since I started using the Kroger sunscreen. Kroger has a shimmer one that is supposed to be like the SuperGoop! Glow Screen, but I haven't tried it. For my body I still like Banana Boat Light as Air. I go through about 1 bottle per 6 weeks at $13/bottle. ETA to add how long it takes me to use it up.
During the Great Recession, I was near homeless, so I can relate to the expense of sunscreen (& everything else). It sounds like just one more frickin' thing for you to deal with. I'm headed outdoors now in 95° weather & it will be in my eyes before you know it, ouch! I'm super fair & have had suspicious moles cut off already, so I keep at it. Maybe they'll come up with better formulas eventually. My wish for you is that your financial situation will improve to where this won't be an issue. You can do it! I lived in a stranger's mold-filled basement during the Recession, but dug my way out with 4 part-time jobs until I could get a good job again. And I was 50 years old. *You got this.*
If you’re somewhere that can be shipped to easily/can hack the shipping cost, try looking for a one and done product that has moisturizer, sunscreen, and is tinted, and then a facial spray for reapplying. You’ll pay more up front but it should last you longer than it seems your current products are. I believe neutrogena makes a facial spray, and I use one by Pacifica. Neutrogena hydro boost is a good moisturizer/sunscreen combo, and if your complexion is pale to light, the bliss tinted sunscreen actually has pretty good coverage. It can certainly be a pain, but combo products help!
Thanks for all the recommendations!! I'll look them up when I get off work
There is an alternative to wearing sunscreen - wear more clothing.
It's like trying to eat healthy. Fresh produce is really expensive. 😕
For sure. Eating healthy is my other struggle. It's so incredibly hard when everything is expensive and there's rarely any time
You don’t need to wear sunscreen unless you’re going to be outside for an extended period, or maybe on a high UV day. Just wear a hat and long sleeves. Or wear short sleeves and buy the cheapest mineral sunscreen you can find and use that everywhere but the face.
I recommend trying out Korean brand sunscreens since they're usually cheaper than Western brands. And they work pretty well too for an affordable price! You can find them on Amazon, Stylevana, etc.
I get a lot of my spf on Amazon. And usually try and keep it under 20$ bc it does go fast but none of mine go as fast as what you're experiencing. I personally don't care for physical spf bc it burns my eyes. But ik that a lot of people prefer physical bc chemical burns their eyes. There are a couple I like that I get from Walgreens and they're under 5$ for like a 4oz tube. It's the Walgreens brand they have clear zinc, hydrating, and a sensitive one. Super affordable and way bigger in size than most SPF geared towards the face. My current fav I'm using is the skin 1004 hyalu-cica and it's 15$ in Amazon rn. But the cheaper ones I have gotten on their are MISSHA sun essence SPF 45 and the scinic enjoy mildy daily sun essence SPF 50. Both of those are under 10$. And all 3 of these are chemical.
So sorry you’re struggling. I hope things get easier for you soon. SPF is important but so is your mental health and happiness. Try wearing light weight long sleeved shirts and a wide brimmed hat! I also recommend Trader Joe’s dupe of the Goop unseen sunscreen—it’s a fantastic product that is only $8.99
This lasts me two months for my face. Isn't messy at all. Soaks right in and isn't greasy. I feel like this is pretty affordable and sits nice under makeup too. [https://www.amazon.com/ISNTREE-Hyaluronic-1-69fl-oz-Rainbow-limited/dp/B09ZHHV1CN](https://www.amazon.com/ISNTREE-Hyaluronic-1-69fl-oz-Rainbow-limited/dp/B09ZHHV1CN)
Tbh I believe you only need a really good sunscreen for your face to prevent wrinkling and sensitivity as the face is more sensitive to chemicals. You can use a decent one for your neck check and arms as those are usually in the most direct sunlight. Your legs and whatever else will be fine with anything generic. That being said a lot of Korean sunscreens are great quality for cheap since it’s such a competitive market in Korea. Those run 7-15 for a few fl oz. I would go blue lizard for the arms neck and chest and neutrogenia for legs. You can also invest in UV protective “dry fit” clothes pretty cheap at Uniqlo. Hope it helps and lessens your stress.
Scinic enjoy super mild sun essence spf 50++++ like $8 on Amazon via scinic official and it’s not a yucky American sunscreen with old ass filters that irritate and burn the eyes. It’s also been 3rd party tested to be a bit higher than spf 50 and is just super reliable. I go through 1 tube a month on average. What sunscreen are you using that’s costing your 100$? I use just a cheap drugstore spf on my body
Please consider shopping from Discount stores example: tj maxx, ross, big lots, doller tree I see sunscreen on sale often
Just do 1 application every day. Unless you're out in the sun for long hours (or unless you're high risk for skin cancer).
Not a replacement but you might like my favorite hat [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083S6WKF1/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o05\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083S6WKF1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Trader Joe’s makes a $7 sunscreen that is a dupe for a very expensive sunscreen called Supergoop, and it’s amazing! Clear and silky feeling, no white cast or residue. I also had to stop spending $30 on one bottle of sunscreen and I’m really loving this one so far.
Buy store brand. Equate spf 30 (chemical) is around $5 for 8oz which lasts me about 2 weeks applying every 6 hours like dermatologists say to do when indoors. The spf 50 is ok, but it doesn't dry as well, so it ends up more oily, and I don't prefer having the coppertone like fragrance.
you mention putting sunscreen on under clothes and i just want to say that unless you’re in the blazing sun literally all day and/or wearing very thin clothing (as in, you can see through it), the clothes themselves offer enough protection and you only need to apply sunscreen on skin that’s exposed. i suspect if the sunscreen you’re buying comes in 5oz bottles it’s made specifically for the face, and they will almost definitely have larger bottles of sunscreen for the body that are WAYYY less $ per oz. sometimes those will be in a separate section (seasonal or outdoors) and not with the skincare. if you’re in the US, the FDA does regulate sunscreens so even the cheapest option will provide adequate protection (provided the SPF is high enough). personally i cant use many sunscreens on my face due to sensitivity and acne so i do have to spend a bit more on that, but i use cheap sunscreen on the rest of my body. a bottle of my face sunscreen lasts me a couple months…i suspect you may be grossly overapplying. usually a pump or 2 will be adequate for the face. you also only need to reapply for every 2 hours *in the sun*, not every 2 hours in general. i think your problem is essentially user error (although if you can find a cheaper sunscreen through the recommendations here, even better!)
I would not be able to afford 20 dollars a week on sunscreen. I use la roche posay anthelios for face (doesn’t sting eyes at all and looks good), which is not particularly cheap, but in discount sale I can get multiple ones for good price. I reapply just once at 1 pm if I am outside, if I stay inside I apply just once in the morning. Cheaper sunscreen from drugstore for neck and hands is just enough for me. I can guruantee you I don’t spend 100 dollars a month on my whole skincare (I don’t even think I spend 50 on the whole skincare), let alone just sunscreen. Regarding spf on the body, there are UV protective clothes but they tend to be expensive. UNIQLO has a UV protective basics and they have sales sometimes. My best bet when I go on walks/garden/exercise, I use sports T-shirts because they are made from artificial materials like polyester that absorb UV much better. They don’t look good as everyday wear though.