How much sun screen does one need.
 

Last couple days, my arms have really felt itchy and dry..I ride a lot..Probably, out in the sun on the bike 10-15 hours a weekon average in the summer. .. Today, the sun was intense.But actually cooler than often the case this time of year...
Where my bike shorts end , the tan line is pretty red tonight.Guess, feel my legs have such a good base layer, usually don't put sun block on them. But the ironic thing, it is the arms that itch the most..
.Does not seem the sun was any more intense than normal..(Guess, have to pay more attention to the solar radiation ratings.)today...
But, I feel I smear my arms with Sun Block 30...See some irregular brown spots the last couple days on my arm..Last couple days, have been hitting the moisturizing creams more..
How much sun screen does one need...Could it just be the drying out of the skin from the sun..Think Sunblock 30 works well enough to protect our skin.?
It states it does not wash off...Does the sun seem to get to be a problem for you...Irritable itchy skin...

Depends on where you live. I used to live in So CA Mojave desert area and used 50 sunblock and still get some red action going by the time a 3 to 5 hour ride was over. But now I live in the Midwest and haven't used any sunblock all summer, even on 5 hour rides and barely got a little red. I think where I live now there are a lot more clouds in the sky whereas in the Mojave desert rarely did I see a cloud. And maybe the sun angle might have something to do with it also.

But if you burn easily or live in a desert area you should use nothing less then 50. Sunblock will make you feel hotter, but radation burns to radiate skin cancer is even hotter, or dying of skin cancer and the possiblity of going to hell could be a WHOLE lot hotter!!!

I've seen SPF80 sunblock but I read somewhere that anything beyond SPF45 doesn't buy you any extra protection. Is that true? I use that Coppertone Sport in SPF48.

I use Bull Frog 30...Do you have to smear it on like a coat of paint...Maybe, it is just the drying of the sun and sunblock can't undo that?

I don't know about anything being over 45 is a waste, never heard that. I have olive colored skin so for me all I ever used was a 50. Try using a 50 and see what you think, just make sure you get both UV and UB protection.

I've heard the same for "over 45" is a waste. I think I actuall heard that for 30. What I heard is that you don't get any more protection, it just lasts longer at the high level.

I smear 45 all over and I still have a crazy farmers tan. San Diego does have pretty strong sun, you would be crazy not to wear something.

Think waterproof. Sweat will bleed it out of your skin. Be careful on the forehead, it will run into your eyes.

SPF 30 for me. I still get some colour cause my skin is so darn fair. As for the waterproof sweat proof stuff I don't buy it. I've used Coppertone Sport which is supposed to be both of those and it still ends up in my eyes. I find a bandana works well for keeping the sweat out of your eyes and keeps you from getting the waffle head look when the sun tans your head through the vents of your helmet. Especially if you have short or no hair at all.

I heard the FDA was going to make sun block companies say on the label that anything over 30 is useless???? Just a rumor perhaps?

But I use 30 and I don't put a whole lot on and it seems to work fine even at the beach. The thinnest coat spread evenly over seems to work. If I lived in So Cal I think I would bring some with me on long rides because my Irish skin burns like the devil. The stuff is definitely not as water proof as they would like you to believe. You should put it on 1/2 hour before going out in the sun.

Bullfrog Sport Spray 36. There is no other.

I hate that greasy old-school sunscreen.