Sunscreen for tops of feet for sandals?

karen13

As spring has now sprung officially by the calendar (although I just cross-country skied through a blizzard and 4 inches of fresh snow this morning) I want to wear a greater variety of shoe styles moving forward. One thing that stops me is my incredibly fair skin and living at high altitude.

I will burn in 5 minutes on a sunny day. So to wear sandals and crops, I need a high SPF sunscreen that dries quickly and non sticky on my feet and ankles that won't ruin my shoes. The stuff I use on my face and body is too moisturizing. Any experience out there with this problem, or suggestions?

7 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from Sara L.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I do not have this problem--'cause, hey, Seattle has little sun But we do boat, so I apply sunscreen everywhere (including feet and ankles) for that. I use the aerosol sport sprays in any random brand. They work well for me. They go on very sheer and dry quickly. I have yet to experience any damage to pant legs or shoes due to product transfer even though I am not always careful of where the spray goes when reapplying.

7 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

Neutrogena makes some liquid sunscreens that might work well. I think they're intended for your face, so they come in smaller volumes and cost a little more, but not too bad.

I'm sensitive to almost every sunscreen I've tried, so I'm mostly limited to pure zinc in oil-based formulas. It leaves me without any options that won't transfer white onto clothes, especially at the collar. I should figure out some solutions for that... as I get close to 40 I'm wishing I'd been as careful with my neck and arms as my face.

7 years ago

SandyG

Veteran

There are powdered mineral sunblocks that will work if you brush them on before you slip your sandals on. I dust them over my creamy sunblock for double protection and less shine at Lake Tahoe's high altitude. After two years, it's a winning combination for my Celtic fair skin and I can recommend it as a less sweaty, long lasting solution.

7 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

We own Nivea SPF 50 which I've worn with shoes and it seems good?

7 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

I would try a sunscreen labelled as "dry touch". They tend not to leave a residue on me.

7 years ago

Anonymous

I live in sandals in summer, and I do the same as EmilyK - drug store brand spray sunscreen. I do step outside to spray because I hate cleaning up the overspray in the house.

7 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

I have the foot sunburn issue. I use spray sunscreen labeled dry touch. I have also tried the mineral sunscreens but they can rub off onto my shoes so I wouldn't use them if my shoes are white or a color I care about because the color stays put during the day.

7 years ago

Sisi

Veteran

Hello Karen and welcome!

I suggest a stick. A chemist gave me a stick sunscreen for my face some years ago and I loved it. Not oily, fast and easy to apply!

7 years ago

karen13

Veteran

Really great ideas here - good to know I am not the only one with this problem. And it reminded me I have some of that powdered sunscreen tucked away. If it ever stops snowing I will try all of these.

My front and back yard yesterday....

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7 years ago