It’s sunny and beautiful in NYC. Yesterday, Central Park was full of sunbathers who were getting an early start on their tan. By now you are aware of the dangers of too much sun exposure, but did you know that runners are more at risk for melanoma than non-runners? Check out this article from the Skin Cancer Foundation.
I’m pretty religious about using sunscreen, but admit to forgetting to wear it when walking to and from work. I’ve also been told that I should make an effort to reapply it when running for more than an hour. I’m not sure how exactly one is suppose to carry sunscreen with them while running. Once marathon training starts this summer, maybe I should make an effort to figure that one out.
Earlier this year I attended a Target Health and Well-being event. The most interesting part of the day was learning about the new FDA rules for sunscreen.
Here are the new rules:
- Sunscreen products that are not broad spectrum or that are broad spectrum with SPF values from two to 14 will be labeled with a warning that reads: “Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.”
- Water resistance claims on the product’s front label must tell how much time a user can expect to get the declared SPF level of protection while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Two times will be permitted on labels: 40 minutes or 80 minutes.
- Manufacturers cannot make claims that sunscreens are “waterproof” or “sweatproof, or identify their products as “sunblocks.”
- Sunscreens cannot claim protection immediately on application (for example, “instant protection”) or protection for more than two hours without reapplication, unless they submit data and get approval from FDA.
- The new regulation will limit the maximum SPF value on sunscreen labeling to “SPF 50+.”
From: FDA Sheds Light on Sunscreen
Are you religious about applying sunscreen before your runs? Any specific brands you’ve found that don’t stink your eyes are cause breakouts?
I am as fair as you can get and I HATE sunscreen. which doesn’t bode well for me. but I just discovered sunscreen wipes – they’re great if you’re out and about (they come in single packets like moist towelettes) and realize you’re getting too much sun. I used them on my long runs last summer and they were a lifesaver. I like to keep the SunX brand with me, and sometimes I’ll use the babysafe brand as well if I’m not working out or going in the water since its much gentler on my very rash/breakout/irritant-prone skin.
Typically I am religious about applying sunscreen, but recently I discovered (through regular blood work) that I have a vitamin D deficiency (normal is 30-100; I’m a 6). We get 80-90% of our vitamin D from the sun, so deficiencies are pretty typical for Ohio, of course. So I’m skipping the sunscreen for shorter runs (except for what’s in my daily moisturizer) while taking a weekly prescription supplement for the next five months. Doc says once my levels are back up, I should be able to maintain with an OTC supplement (which I was already taking!).
On the other hand, those wipes Emily mentions are something I need to look into. I usually use Neutrogena’s dry-touch stuff. I’ve tried some more natural sunscreens, and they’re usually kind of yucky and filmy.
I am super religious about applying sunscreen when I run! I use Banana Boat Sport SPF100 (though I guess it will be 50+ soon…). It works really well, and stays out of my eyes when I sweat.
I should probably be better about applying sunscreen, but I do try to stay out of the sun when possible because I know how much I always forget to wear sunscreen. The one I use for my face is Neutrogena Sensitive Skin lotion. Its something crazy like SPF 60 but its great and doesn’t make me break out (which I am prone to). It goes on nice and smooth, not greasy or anything.
I’m no where near as good about it as I should be. I use a daily facial moisturizer with SPF 30 but otherwise I only put sunscreen on the rest of my body when I’m putting it on my daughter, too, for playing outside. I need to look into some of the sport brands next time I’m back in the U.S. I’m in India, training for a half marathon, so will be taking longer runs that can’t all be done before the sun comes up.