So beauty lovers, I think it’s safe to say summer is here and here to stay, well at least for the next few months anyway and we love tanning. We all know we have to protect our skin against the sun right? We do for the most part but sunscreen, like all products are not created equal..
There are many products on the market claiming the world but what makes one product better than the next. With terms like organic/natural versus traditional chemical sunscreen, what does this all mean for you and your skin.
Let’s break it down shall we.
Sunscreens use chemical absorbers and sunblocks use physical absorbers to protect the skin from UV rays and sunburn. UVA rays are the bad ones that can cause cancer and UVB rays cause the skin to get damaged and burnt. Sunscreen works by absorbing UV energy into the upper layer of the skin then a chemical reaction takes place between the sunscreen ingredients and the UV rays to “screen” your body from most of the effects of the sun. This is why you need to apply it before sun exposure.
Sunblock is called a physical block and works by sitting on the skin creating a barrier between the skin and the UV rays. Sunblocks use minerals to create this surface barrier rather than synthetic chemicals that absorb into the skin. Key minerals that are used are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
So sunscreen VS sunblock, I’m going with sunblock seeing as sunscreen chemicals get absorbed into the skin. Here’s some the potential health risks that are associated with chemical sunscreens:
• Hormone disruption – it mimics oestrogen and can raise the risk of breast cancer.
• Allergic reactions
• Also found in mother’s milk demonstrating its reach to the unborn baby
Avoid this key ingredient used in chemical sunscreens, oxybenzone. Some products that contain this are Vichy Capital Soleil, Nutrogena Oil Free Moisturiser SPF 15 and Nivea for Men Daily Protection Lotion SPF 15.
Here are some mineral sunscreens that are skin friendly, Badger Broad Spectrum SPF34 Sunscreen, Clinique City Block SPF 25 (a personal favorite for everyday protection) and Clarins Sunscreen Spray Gentle Milk-Lotion SPF 20.
While the mineral ones cost a tad more than the chemical ones, they certainly have better benefits and no one should mess around with sun protection. We have to deal with tanning in the beautiful African sun after all!
Article by: Janis Aranes http://www.beautybulletin.com/blog-directory/our-bloggers/janis-aranes