We’ve been told for years to wear sunscreen to help prevent skin cancer as well as fight the signs of aging. I’ve already had skin cancer so this is important to me.
All sunscreens should work, right? Not necessarily. Over the years we’ve discovered there are different things to consider other than just the SPF.
- First, anything over 50 SPF isn’t going to change the results.
- Second, if you don’t reapply, you aren’t getting the most protection.
- Third, not all sunscreens are equal. Really…
- Fourth, if you are swimming/snorkeling/diving in many areas with coral reefs, you need to use a reef-safe product.
- And fifth, a recent study showed that only 25% of current sunscreens are effective.
Um, wow! How did that happen? Well, it turns out Federal sunscreen rules have remained largely unchanged since 1999. Plus, some manufacturers continue to use ingredients the FDA has shown absorb through the skin and have flagged for further assessment. Eeek!
Did you know there are two kinds of sunscreens? Chemical and Mineral…
Chemical sunscreens are designed to soak into the skin as a chemical reaction absorbs ultraviolet radiation as energy and disperses it as heat while mineral sunscreens act as a broad-spectrum protective film that reflects and deflects rays away from the skin, physically blocking the sun. Mineral sunscreens have an added bonus of producing topical side effects like dermatitis and eczema.
Which would you prefer? I know I would go for the mineral and recently ordered the Babo Botanicals sunscreen to try. I need the zinc, especially on my nose.
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