One for the Australians... Sun protection!!!!?

Question

Im from cold rainy britain and rarely use suncream!! but we are moving to Oz next month, how do you protect yourselves and your kiddies on a day 2day basis, is it necessary to apply suntan lotion every day, do you have nice moisturisers that contain an spf or do you have to use the horrible heavy sticky suncreams like we have here all the time!!! Sorry if it sounds silly!!! We are moving to Adelaide.

Thank you all for loads of great advice!

Answer 1

Hi there - I just moved from UK (Leeds) to Australia 6 weeks ago. You can get everything you need for sun protection. You can get moisturisers with spf in, or the heavy sticky ones of factor 30+, or even 30+ with a nice non-greasy suncream.

You should plan on wearing suncream every day - yes. Its really hot (well for me anyway), 28ish in Sydney (although it feels like 35 to me) at the moment.

Its also wise to protect your eyes with some good sunglasses (eye cancer is quite bad here too). For the kids, you can get special spf shirts which already have uv protection in them, you just rinse them out after you have been to the beach. All school kids wear hats to school, and suncream whenever outside.

I personally, am being very vigilant about the sun (because my skin isn't used to it and because a lot of Australians have skin cancer). Honest, you walk around, and see so many people with squares of skin where they have had melanomas cut out. So, well done for being vigilant.

I spend about $10 a fortnight for suncream for my family of 3 (so thats about £4ish).

Warmth and Smiles.

Answer 2

Welcome to Adelaide! I'm from the Adelaide Hills, which you should really check out when you get here they're gorgeous.
Doctors recommend that you apply sunscreen daily, but I don't think many people do. I only apply it when going to the beach or a pool, or the zoo or something where I'm going to be in the direct sun for quite some time. But your skin won't be used to the intensity of the UV rays we get here (due to the hole in the ozone layer above us) so you'll probably need to use it more often. I'm sure you'd be fine just using a moisturiser with an SPF factor of at least 15, and when you do things like I mentioned above (beach etc.) always use SPF30+ sunscreen - yes the horrible heavy sticky creams! It's hard to say a definite answer not knowing your skin type, you might just have to work it out by a bit of trial and error. You'll sort it out soon enough, I hope you like Adelaide it really is a great city : )

Answer 3

As well as all of the above answers, I suggest you log onto the Australian Cancer Council website. Here are a few quick suggestions from them:

The Cancer Council Australia recommends Australians take five steps to protect against sun damage when the SunSmart UV Alert indicates the UV Index is at 3 or above:

1. Slip on some sun-protective clothing – that covers as much skin as possible
2. Slop on SPF30+ sunscreen – make sure it is broad spectrum and water resistant. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards. Sunscreen should never be used to extend the time you spend in the sun.
3. Slap on a hat – that protects your face, head, neck and ears
4. Seek shade
5. Slide on some sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian Standards

Answer 4

Hi. I live in perth, and am Aussie born. This is what I do.

When I`m swimming, I always wear a rash vest. It saves having to sun screen your whole upper body. When I`m out in the sun, I always wear a shirt and hat. I let my legs and lower arms tan, as I work outside a lot.

What I suggest is, dont do the European thing and try to get an all over tan, you will get skin cancer. Wear a shirt, wear a hat, and make sure you put sun screen on the back of your neck. And your feet at the beach!! OW!

Answer 5

Whenever you're out in the sun in oz, especially in summer they now recommend that you wear at least 30SPF sunscreen protection. The sun is alot more harsh in oz, as we are right under the hole in the ozone layer. I can stay out in the sun in europe with no sunscreen and be ok, but in oz i will be burnt to a crisp. Watch out for the young ones, as their skin will be particularly vulnerable. There are lots of different creams that aren't horribly thick but if you go into a shop that sells them (ie a chemist or department store) someone should be able to recommend one.

Answer 6

"The sun is alot more harsh in oz, as we are right under the hole in the ozone layer."

Australia is nowhere near the hole in the ozone layer. It is not a problem in Australia. What is a problem for high latitude people is that the solar angle means that a great deal more UV radiation gets to the surface in Australia even with a fully intact ozone layer.

You will probably be used to UV forecasts in Britain. You can see the UV forecasts for Australia here:
http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/national/charts/UV.shtml
At this time of the year, most of the country is in the extreme range.

Australia's most southerly city is Hobart in Tasmania. At about 40°S that is about the same latitude as Rome is north. Most of Australia lies at the same latitude as north Africa with Darwin on a par with Sierra Leone. You wouldn't work or play outside in Africa without protection, don't do it in Australia.

Speaking of latitudes, Newcastle in England is about 55°N. Macquarie Island south of Tasmania is 55°S. It is staffed by the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions - it is one of our Antarctic stations.

Answer 7

Hi, Welcome to Oz!! Well soon anyways.
I put sunscreen SPF 30+ on my kids whenever I take them outside and they are not allowed out without a hat on as well. For the adults you can buy makeup and moisteriser that has sunscreen in it. But I find that it doesn't work near as well as actual sunscreen. Not all sunscreens are heavy and sticky there are some brands that are lighter, but overall most of them are greasy. Covering up in the sun is really important here, we have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. So sunscreen and hats are essential.
Once again, welcome. :)

Answer 8

I always use sunscreen but I use natural glow face powder which has sunscreen it it and it gives you a tanned look . In OZ there is a huge range of sunscreens and a lot of face products like moisturisers contain it.

I live in Britain now and still use it.

Answer 9

whenever you are planning on being outside for more than 10 mins, you need to put on sunscreen.

we do have spf moisturisers, but they are generally low protection so are really just for quick trips outside.

always wear hats, and get the kids spf swim wear - preferably the full body ones.

Answer 10

Don't freak! We have EVERYTHING for sun protection and good public education as to how to stay safe in the Ozzie sun. Will become second nature to you and your family in no time. Great products available for sun protection (moisturisers with spf 30+).
Good luck with the move and welcome to Oz!