By now most people have realized the dangers of the sun’s harmful rays on both adults and children.

Sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancer, and the most common form of cancer in the United States. Skin cancer can affect anyone, no matter what age or ethnicity. Sun exposure is also the number one cause of premature aging. Sun damage is cumulative and irreversible! It is vital that everyone wear sunscreen. So how do you choose which one is best?

Reading the Label

SPF: SPF number (sun protection factor) tells you how much protection your product will provide from UVB rays. If your skin normally turns pink after 8 minutes of exposure to the sun, then SPF8 means it will take 8 times as long. In order to have a true, endorsed SPF rating by the FDA, your product must contain a drug fact panel. It is important to note SPF factor only evaluates UVB rays.

UVA and UVB: Your sunscreen should contain both UVA and UVB protection. It is now believed that the UVA rays cause the most irreversible damage to the skin. Look to see if yours states “broad spectrum” or “full spectrum” on the label. There currently is no rating to determine UVA protection, so you must check the ingredients on the label.

Ingredients: To get protection from both UVB and UVA rays your sunscreen must list one of these active ingredients: Parsol 1780 (avobenzone), benzophenones (oxybenzone), cinnamates (octylmethyl cinnamate and cinoxate), sulisobenzone, salicylates, escamsule (MesorylSX), titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. Of all these ingredients, only titanium dioxide and zinc oxide provide physical chemical free sun protection.

Chemical versus Physical Sunscreen

Chemical sunscreens are applied to and absorbed into the skin.
Because of the active chemical ingredients, the UV rays are absorbed into your skin. Unfortunately most of these chemical ingredients have not been properly tested for efficacy and safety, and current guidelines don’t regulate manufacturer claims. Moreover since these ingredients are absorbed into the skin, they penetrate our blood stream and go into our circulatory systems, carrying it to every part of our bodies. Chemical sunscreens also tend to irritate skin and clog pores.

Physical sunscreen forms a barrier on the skin. When it is applied it provides instant sun protection by deflecting the UV rays. There are only two ingredients that provide UVA and UVB sun protection: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It is impossible to be allergic to physical sunscreen ingredients since they deflect the rays rather than absorb them, thus making this type of sunscreen the only choice for those with sensitive skin.

Warning: Many sunscreen brands will list zinc oxide and titanium dioxide on their label, but unless they are the ONLY active ingredients, they are really chemical sunscreens. Note: Natural sunscreen can only go as high as SPF 30. If your sunscreen has a higher rating is a chemical sunscreen with an even higher concentration of chemical ingredients.

Once you decide which product to use, make sure you use it consistently, and most importantly make sure you use enough of the product to be effective. And don’t forget to reapply!

Nancy Wells is a professional product scout, traveling throughout the US and abroad in search of extraordinary beauty and wellness products for men and women that improve their life by delivering real solutions. Nancy Wells is an owner/operator of spas both in the US and internationally. She actively consults new and existing medical, day, hotel, and resort spas on all phases of their spa business. She is the President of Mineral Makeup USA. http://www.MineralMakeupUSA.com

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