The Skinny: Sunscreen
Imagine a sunscreen that can make your skin more resistant to UVA and UVB rays! Science is evolving but this is what we know now!
Are you applying sunscreen to the back of your neck and your ears? If not, you should be! Sunscreen. Did you know that having pale skin was considered a status symbol in the late 19th century because those people had the luxury of staying inside. Today we hear, ‘I look better with a tan.’ A tan. There is no such thing as a ‘good’ tan. This along with smoking are #1 and #2 in wreaking havoc on our skin and accelerating the aging process. If you are doing lasers, spending hundreds of dollars on skin care and skin care treatments, and aren’t applying sunscreen, you are negating all of your efforts.
Sunscreen is the last step of your skincare routine. It should be applied summer and winter, rain or shine. Your make-up doesn’t count as your daily sunscreen—it’s just an added bonus!!!
The state of the environment makes wearing sunscreen more crucial than ever! Why is that? The ozone layer. The ozone layer covers the planet and protects life on earth by absorbing harmful Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun. It’s like natural sunscreen.
There are 2 types of Ultraviolet rays, UVB and UVA. What are they? UVA rays (A=Aging) are the type of ultraviolet rays that travel deep into the skin and are responsible for premature signs of aging, which include fine lines and wrinkles. Tanning booths emit this type of ultraviolet light UVB rays are the rays that give us a sunburn. These rays penetrate the outer layer of skin and cause changes in our DNA which can ultimately lead to skin cancer.
Chemical vs Physical sunscreen
Chemical sunscreen absorbs into the skin and absorbs UV rays, converts the rays into heat, and releases them from the body. The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens include avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone.
Physical sunblock sits on top of the skin and reflects the sun’s rays. The minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the main active ingredients in physical blocks.
Broad spectrum sunscreens protect against both. Look for sunscreens that have an SPF 30 or higher!