When we’re young we think we’re invincible. Many of us likely spent hours outdoors – poolside, at the beach, or playing sports – without so much as a thought of donning sun protection. While the impact of this is not immediate, years later the affects of sun damage begin to appear.
While the best defense for sun-related skin damage is prevention, the reality is most of us have some degree of sun damage. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. It’s estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. If developing cancer isn’t fuel enough to protect your skin, remember that 90 percent of photo-aging (wrinkles, brown spots, slack skin, etc.) directly result from UV exposure. UVB rays can cause sunburn (think “Ultra Violet Burn”), where overexposure to UVA rays, which have longer wavelengths, can reach deep into the dermis, damaging collagen fibers (think “Ultra Violet Aging”). Some sun is important not only to the skin, but to our overall wellbeing, . Exposure to sunlight has an energizing effect and is good for the soul.
What’s the best type of sunscreen? Rule of Thumb: The best sunscreen is the one you’ll use!
Topical sunscreens are broadly classified into two groups: chemical absorbers and physical blockers. Chemical absorbers work by absorbing UV rays while physical blockers reflect UV rays. There has long been much debate between chemical vs. physical blockers, but the fact is, a vast majority of SPF (sun protection factor) formulas on the shelves today have a long list of chemicals that subject the skin to dangerous ingredients. These unstable chemicals are also then absorbed by the body, and have been linked to a host of health issues within the skin and beyond.
Physical blockers such as zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide are not absorbed by the skin. Instead, these sit on the skin’s surface, blocking UVA and UVB rays and acting as a natural reflective shield. It’s also important to note, formulas labeled “SPF” only refer to UVB-ray protection, but now the FDA requires sunscreens to indicate on their labels whether they protect against UVA rays as well. The UVA/UVB protection labels will read “Broad Spectrum SPF”, and only those of SPF 15 and higher can claim to reduce the risk of skin cancer and photo-damage.
Makeup with low SPFs do not provide enough protection. While it is a good start, most foundations and moisturizers with an SPF cannot be layered thick enough to provide adequate protection for the day. No matter what the SPF rating is, our skin neutralizes the ingredients within 2 to 3 hours of application, quicker if your swimming or sweating. Physical barriers (think floppy hats and umbrella’s) are the best form of protection but when those aren’t readily available or appropriate for the activity, applying and reapplication of your sunscreen is critical! No one wants to reapply goopy sunscreen over make up so this is where powder sunscreens come in handy! Mineral makeup is naturally comprised of zinc and titanium which block UVA and UVB rays, and is much easier to reapply. Make sure you look for the SPF rating on the product.
Something is better than nothing, but many things are better than other! Read labels to ensure you are using safe, effective and healthy ingredients for your skin, schedule regular professional treatments to slow and even reverse some signs of damage, and be aware of your whole body health (this affects our skin too)! And above all else, remember your sunscreen!