Sunscreen

UV radiation can cause sunburn, suntan and skin aging. Sunscreen help prevent that!

Type of Sunscreen

Chemical Sunscreen

This type of sunscreen is absorbing. It absorbs UV rays and then neutralizes them, releasing heat.

Sensitive skin types may find this formulation to be bothersome or irritating on their skin. It also takes a few minutes for it to work, about 15-20 minutes.

Some chemical sunscreen ingredients include: Avobenzone (Parsol 1789), Octinoxate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone, Ecamsule (Mexoryl), Homosalate, Padimate A, Padimate

Physical (Mineral) Sunscreen

This type of sunscreen is reflecting. It reflects the rays away from the skin; imagine a barrier or a shield over your skin when you apply a physical sunscreen

This is great for sensitive skin types and babies as it is less irritating and the most effective. Works immediately upon application However, it can feel thick and often leaves a white cast. Physical Sunscreen ingredients: Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide (both FDA approved)

What does a broad-spectrum sunscreen do?

There are two types of UV light that can harm your skin — UVA and UVB. A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects you from both.

UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkling and age spots. UVB rays can burn your skin. Too much exposure to UVA or UVB rays can cause skin cancer. The best sunscreen offers protection from UV light.

What SPF do you need?

SPF stands for sun protection factor, a measure of how well sunscreen protects against UVB rays. (UVA protection isn't rated.) Manufacturers calculate SPF based on how long it takes to sunburn skin treated with the sunscreen as compared to skin with no sunscreen.

Experts recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Sunscreens with SPFs greater than 50 provide only a small increase in UV protection. High-number SPFs last the same amount of time as low-number SPFs.

What does water-resistant sunscreen do?

The term water resistant means that the SPF is maintained for up to 40 minutes in water. Very water resistant means the SPF is maintained for 80 minutes in water.

Sunscreen Application Tip #1: Be Generous

“I used to be a scrooge with sunscreen. I’d treat it like my moisturizer. Put on a pea-size amount and off in the sun I went.”

That’s not nearly enough, my friend. We recommend you use an average ounce (30ml) to cover your entire body (adjust based on your height and weight – no judgments. It’s about safety, girl!).

For the face, you need 1/3 of a teaspoon.

Sunscreen Application Tip #2: Slather Sunscreen on Everywhere

As a rule, if an area of skin is exposed to the sun, apply sunscreen there.

That means your face, arms, legs and all those often-forgotten areas like ears, the back of knees, feet and nose. No exception. If the sun can reach it, it can damage it.

And don’t forget to use a lip balm or lipstick with SPF on the lips, too!

Sunscreen Application Tip #3: Wait 20 Minutes before Going Outside

Have you noticed everyone tells you to apply sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure but no one explains why?

Here’s the mystery solved: you need to give sunscreen time to dry down and form a film on the skin. If you go out before this shield is properly in place, UV rays all get through AND hurt your skin.

Be a little patience. It’s worth the wait.

Sunscreen Application Tip #4: Reapply Frequently

It’s not enough to know how to apply sunscreen the right way. You have to do it consistently too. One application a day is NOT enough.

UV filters may fight UV rays well, but they don’t come out of the battle unscathed. Every time they neutralize one UV ray, they lose a little of their effectiveness. Overtime, they become useless.

As a rule, the longer you stay in the sun, the quicker your sunscreen will stop working.

Then, there’s sweating. Swimming. Drying yourself with a towel. All things that brush the sunscreen off your body. If your sunscreen aren’t there anymore, it can’t protect you.

That’s why you have to reapply sunscreen frequently at the beach. That means every two hours or after every swim/sporting activity that makes you sweat.

If its winter and you’re spending most of your time indoors, you can get away with reapplying your sunscreen less often. But, do reapply it. That’s NOT optional.