We’re always being told to apply Sun Protection against harmful UV rays that can cause damage to our Skin, let’s apply sun creams for a beautiful, healthy skin! That sounds very true, you might rush over stores to pick one and confidently embrace your skin under sunlight. Have you ever questioned how these sun care products work to genuinely defend your skin. Or, their buzzwords assert they’re supposed to work at best for our needs. You may not even know unless try to figure out. This post will come up 10 important things you must know before wearing sun cream I’m sure some of facts about this may make you really surprise.

I think some of us used to search the definitions between sunblock and Sunscreen. Currently, wikipedia seemed to consent sunblock and sunscreen are same. Actually, they’re not, gotta have certain elements that are distinguished between them. In addition, How far you truly understand UV rays and SPF labeled are about.

1. Sunscreen (Chemical, Classic, Non-Mineral or Organic Sunscreen)

First introduced in 1938, most of them on the market contain organic chemicals (Carbon based). Furthermore, each sunscreen agent should be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S., providing high coverages against UV rays.

UVB- only filters:

• Aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
• Cinoxate
• Ensulizole (Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid)
• Homosalate
• Octocrylene
• Octinoxate (Octyl Methoxycinnamate)
• Octisalate ( Octyl Salicylate)
• Padimate O
• Trolamine salicylate

Both UVB and UVA2 filters:

• Dioxybenzone (Benzophenone)
• Oxybenzone
• Sulisobenzone

UVA2-only filters

• Ecamsule (Mexoryl SX)
• Meradimate (Menthyl Anthranilate)

UVA1-only filter:

• Avobenzone

In fact, many chemical actives haven’t been approved by FDA; but available in other countries of Europe and Asia.

They can be lotions, sprays, gels or waxes, which are formulated chemically to absorb majority of UV photons reaching your skins. the texture tends to be thin, extremely lightweight, less greasy and watery so easily sink down into skin without color and scent. Young girls might prefer using the sunscreen beneath their makeup.

Sadly, all of those ingredients don’t turn out being sufficient photostable. Photostability means the UV filters are not degrading or broken down while exposing to sunlight. Thus, they urge to seek their “soulmates,” photostabilizers or inactive ingredients that fulfil them to be stable, especially Avobenzone. Unfortunately, it’s really difficult to guarantee all of chemical actives are stabilized completely. You may not want to hazard your healthy skin to the devastating UV rays. Likewise, you need to reapply many times as they’re easily flushed out or loosened by sweat and water, particularly in sport and swimming.

Another reason people nowadays hesitantly comes to chemical sunscreens is they’re more likely to cause side effects. According to the Environmental Working Group of the U.S., PABA, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Octinoxate, Oxybenzone, Benzophenone and Avobenzone are inclined to penetrate deeply into skin and trigger allergic reactions. Moreover, involved in hormone disruption. A 2006 study of Free Radical Biology and Medicine states that Oxybenzone is proven to result in DNA interference and destruction under sunlight. PABA is now completely prohibited in Europe; also, no longer to be utilized in sun care and Cinoxate as well. I would say chemical sunscreens shouldn’t be recommended for sensitive skins.

2. Sunblock (Physical, Mineral or Inorganic Sunscreens)

Ironically, sunblock is also a type of sunscreen; however, not infused by organic chemicals (Carbon based). This explains why it’s called inorganic. The “organic” term labeled onto sunscreen is very confusing, makes us falsely think they’re something derived from plants, organic natural ingredients. And, the way it operates is also different.
In fact, many chemical actives haven’t been approved by FDA; but available in other countries of Europe and Asia.

Physical sunscreen is majorly made of mineral ingredients, zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide. It tends to reflect or scatter UV rays to stop them reaching skin. These two are only physical filters approved by the FDA, delivering broad-spectrum protection onto skin. Zinc oxide is inclined to give an effective coverage to fight thoroughly UVB, UVA1 and UVA2. On the other hand, Titanium dioxide isn’t utterly full-spectrum with UVB and UVA2 reflective properties.

Recently, the U.S. has encouraged people to apply sunblocks, which typically have mild formulas with physical actives. Highly recommended to delicate skins, they’re less likely to provoke allergies or bad reactions. Both ingredients give very photostable shields that don’t degrade when exposing to sunlight. However, sunblocks are usually thick, opaque, heavy, unblendable and non-cosmetically elegant by leaving blotchy marks of white pigment onto skin. Moreover, most of them are water resistant, hard to be washed off. Some people with acne-prone skin may not get along with them because of clogging pores, especially contained titanium dioxide. This seems to get same problem with my previous sunscreen, Juice Beauty Mineral Moisturizer SPF 30 – Sheer.

The defensive side of the filters is undeniably high quality; otherwise, they seem not to be acceptable with unpleasant white cast. Many producers try to handle this problem and develop zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. It means these sunscreen physical agents will have smaller, tinier particles, which tend to make the cream less thick and heavy. Also, called micro-mineral, micronized or ultra-fine sunscreens. Although the incredible protection of the agents are retained, yet, they are more likely to penetrate and originate free-radicals to skin during sun exposure. Many manufacturers mix mineral and chemical ingredients possibly for both optimum shield and cosmetically elegant gain.

3. Ultraviolet A

UVA is the sun’s ultraviolet A with the longest wavelengths, extending from 320 to 400 nanometers (billionth of a meter). It’s categorized into two various wave ranges, UVA1 (340-400 nanometers) and UVA2 (320-340 nanometers). We mainly interact with UVA rays all over our existence, making up to nearly 95% of all UV radiations coming to the globe. It’s able to penetrate vigorously rather than UVB across clouds and glass, threaten living tissues of the dermis beneath skin outermost layer. And then, arouse skin premature aging and wrinkling.

Lots of blond girls crave for sexy bronzed glowy skins, they love to enjoy sunlight on beach or go to salons inside tanning beds. UVA predominantly answers the tanning effect, which darkens skin by increasing melanin (skin pigment) and cause leathery texture. You might not know that this tortures your skin, dramatically damage skin cell’s DNA. Eventually, results in skin cancer (Carcinoma).

4. Ultraviolet B

UVB is the sun’s ultraviolet B, having the short wavelength, which measures from 290 to 320 nanometers. This is the chief culprit of reddening and burning skin; but also indirectly contributes to fine lines and photoaging. It harms and murders the epidermal cells as well as largely plays the root of skin cancer (Melanoma). UVB’s intensity changes due to seasons, destinations and time. In the U.S., it’s most significant between 10AM and 4PM in warm, hot seasons, such as spring, summer and fall. Therefore, we should reapply sunscreens in the middle of day or get sun protection clothing prior to sun exposure at that time. You may not want these nasty UV rays to bully your beloved skins.

5. Sun Protection Factor

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) must be labeled on sunscreens with several values, which necessarily indicates the product’s sun protection level. A higher value it gets, a stronger protection is offered. Otherwise, a high SPF value doesn’t mean to totally shield your skin from UV radiations. The FDA requires every sun care product needs to be tested whether or not it’s prone to show “broad spectrum” that withstands UVB/UVA rays. Traditionally, SPF was invented as a measure, how well the sunscreens restrain UVB, but doesn’t take account for UVA.

• The low sun protection is under SPF 15
• The medium can be SPF 15 and over (SPF 15, 20 or 25)
• The high is SPF 30 and over (SPF 30 or 50)
• The highest is SPF50 and over (SPF 50+)

So, what does exactly SPF tell you? Scientifically, it’s a ratio to compare amount of time sunlight can burn the sunscreen protected skin to the unprotected skin. For example, SPF 15 means it takes 15 times longer to burn skin under sunlight with sunscreen than it does onto bare skins.

Currently, the U.S. has encouraged people to wear SPF 15 and higher to ensure their skin safety. The American Academy of Dermatology announces people should apply sun protection at least broad spectrum SPF 30 substantially prevent sunburn, but also dampen the risks of skin cancer.

Wearing sun protection only minimizes UV ray destruction, NOT ultimately get rid of them. You shouldn’t stay too long under sunlight, which could put your skin and health in danger.

I hope this post doesn’t make you all feel boring; but hope you find helpful and informative enough. If you have any suggestion, ideas or questions, please let me know your thoughts. That will support me a lot. And, thank you so much for joining us!

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