Part 2 - My Recommendations
Different types of protection -
Physical sunscreens are rarely associated with allergic reactions. Micronized Zinc oxide or Titanium dioxide are 2 of the best ingredients. They remain on the skin without being absorbed meaning that many products containing these only need to be applied once a day. With the exception of these ingredients being used in a cream form.
The best form of Physical sunscreen that I recommend is Jane Iredale mineral make-up. It’s 100% natural and contains both of these ingredients. Easily brushed on in the morning for a full day of protection.
Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin, when there is UV exposure the UV is absorbed into the skin and converted to heat by the chemical ingredients, the concern with this is they create free-radicals while doing this (free-radicals speed up cell deterioration – meaning your skin is aging by the second as this process happens). There has also been a lot of evidence to prove that chemical sunscreens are a common irritant, causing skin concerns like contact dermatitis.
High SPF? Reapplying…
Recently many skin care companies are bringing out very high SPF sunscreens. I recommend staying under a SPF 20 or 30 at the very most. A SPF 15 gives you 95% protection from UVB compared to a SPF 50 which gives you 97% protection from UVB. The extra chemicals added to give 2% more protection are doing more damage to your skin than the 2% UV exposure.
No matter what the SPF number, all cream sunscreens need to be reapplied every 2-3 hours. Pure Minerals – like that Jane Iredale spoke about before can be applied in the morning and don’t need to be reapplied through out the day.
So I suggest you check your Sunscreen-
Is it UVA and UVB broad spectrum.?
Is it SPF 20 or at least SPF 30 and under?
If it’s a cream sunscreen are you reapplying it every 2-3 hours?
Does it contain Zinc Oxide?
Remember a sunscreen should last you one summer season, if you still have a sunscreen from last summer, you are not getting the full protection out of it you need.
Rachel
