Understanding Sunscreens

** Labeling guidelines for sunscreens in the U.S are changing

*Only sunscreens that offer protection from both UVA & UVB rays can be labeled "broad - spectrum"

*Only broad- spectrum sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher can claim to reduce the risk of skin cancer or prevent early skin aging




Safe Sun Tips

Avoid the sun during peak hours (10-2) regardless of season


*There are two types of UV light that can harm your skin, UVA & UVB. A broad spectrum or full spectrum sinscreen is designed to protect you from both
*UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkling and age spots. UVB rays can burn your skin. Too much exposure to UVA or UVB rays can cause skin cancer. The best sunscreen offers protection from all UV light
*SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. That is a measure of how well the sunscreen deflects UVB rays. Manufacturers calculate SPF based on how long it takes to sunburn skin that has been treated with the sunscreen as compared to the skin that has not been treated.






Theoretically, the best sunscreen has the highest SPF number. When applied correctly, a sunscreen with an SPF 30 will provide slightly more protection from UVB rays than SPF 15, but not twice as much. Sunscreens with SPF greater than 50 provide only a small increase in UVB protection.

Sunscreen is often not applied thoroughly or quickly enough and it might be washed off in any water.

Rather than looking at sunscreen's SPF, choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that will protect you from both rays.

Sunscreen Ingredients
*Organic- Also called chemical sunscreens, organic sunscreens absorb UV radiation and convert it to a small amount of heat. This group of actice ingredients is the most widely used in sunscreens. organic suncreens might contain avobenzone, cinoxate, emasule, menthyl anthranilate, octyl methoxycinnamate, oxybenzone and sulisobenzone

*Inorganic- Also called phyiscal sunscreens. They reflect and scatter UV radiation. Inorganic sunscreens might contain titanium doixide or zinc oxide. Most broad spectrum sunscreens use both ingredients to block both UVA and UVB rays.


*Vitamins- Vitamin E can protect against UV-induced DNA damage. Vitamin C helps protect from sunburn

**Some sunscreens also contain the antioxidant retinl palmitate. A form of vitamin A or retinol. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals- unstable oxygen molecules that break down skin cells that cause wrinkles. While concerns have been raised about sunscreens containing retinyl palmitate, research currently suggests that it is safe. However, there are no recommendations regarding pregnancy