Skin Care: Sunblock/Sunscreen! Why is it important?

Summer is just around the corner.. You know what that means... Protecting yourself from the sun. By that meaning wearing protective clothing, keeping hydrated, staying in the shade, and slapping on that Sunblock! People are often misled by the fact that soaking up the sun will help the skin absorb it's natural Vitamin D. Only 10 minutes out in the sun without sun protection will absorb that Vitamin D. Truth there are A LOT of downsides to the sun.

Aging? Sun exposure is the #1 cause of aging. Skin cancer kills more woman under the age of 30 than from  any other cancer including breast cancer and ovarian cancer. 

Sunscreen/Sunblock? What about it?

Studies show that regular use of sunscreen protects against photoaging: the wrinkling, hyperpigmentation, and loss of elasticity caused by exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation.

 outdoors activity.

Sunscreens/Sunblocks containing Zinc and Titanium Dioxide are both ideal ingredients that will both provide a Physical barrier to the sun.

Sunblock vs. Sunscreen...

Sunblock: Physical barrier to the sun (zinc, titanium)

Sunscreen: Absorb the energy of UV rays and reflect it away as heat (goes into the skin)

Sunscreen/Sunblocks containing Zinc is beneficial to anyone because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Great for someone with sensitive skin, vascular skin (Telangiectasia, couperose skin, chronic redness)

Avoid sunscreen/sunblock products containing ingredients ending in "Benzene" and "Benzone"

   - Avobenzone

   - Oxybenzone

   - Dioxybenzone

   - Sulisbenzone

Sunblocks/Sunscreens to Avoid:

- Coppertone

- Aveno Baby

- Hawaiian Tropic

- Ombrelle

All of these products contain fragrances which lead to product fatigue (which meanburns and tanning)

- Causes cataracts 

- Are related to 90% of non-melanoma skin cancer.

UVA

- Aging rays

- Can pass through glass, reflect off snow.

- Penetrates deeper into the skin than UVB.

- Affect long term skin damage.

Myths

Not all sunblock/sunscreen products... 

- Cause breakouts 

- Leave a greasy film on the surface of the skin 

- Cause cancer

- Are all fragranced