Sunscreens and SPF Ratings

What No One Ever Tells You

Today, skin cancers have become a severe problem. While there is so much information on the news and in magazines about the importance of sunscreens, studies show many people still know very little about the differences in sunscreens. If you think applying just any sunscreen will provide protection from the sun's harmful rays, you need to keep reading!

Sunscreens Are Not All The Same
Sunscreens have an SPF rating that tells you how long you can be in the sun before you burn. Here's an easy way to remember what the SPF means - you can stay in the sun that many times longer and have the same effect. For example, an SPF rating of 8 means it would take you 8 times longer to burn than if you had no sunscreen. Furthermore, most sunscreens only protect against UVB rays that burn the skin, misleading people into believing they can stay in the sun longer. However, UVA rays cause aging and more severe sun damage, and most over the counter sunscreens only provide partial, if any, UVA protection.

Read The Labels
"Broad Spectrum" does not always mean full UVA/UVB protection. Current labeling laws allow manufacturers to use the "broad spectrum" sticker as long as it protects against some UVA and UVB rays. So, don't be fooled into thinking you are protected. What you really need for the highest protection comes from microfine Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. These are easily recognizable because of the white tint they have - think of the surfer movies. But would you really want to wear this daily?

Wear It Daily
While, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide provide the broadest spectrum of UVA and UVB protection, both of these spread onto the skin's surface as a thick white screen making it less desirable to use. Recently, manufacturers have produced a new, specially formulated Zinc Oxide called Z-Cote, which is transparent when it is on and is not greasy nor will it clog pores. It also contains moisturizing properties, and is odorless. This means putting it on daily under make-up (even if your makeup contains a sunscreen), on cloudy days, winter days and even in the office to protect from the UVA rays present in office lighting. This is commonly found in high end sunscreens, and is generally not available in stores. Some common brands of sunscreen containing these substances are SkinCeuticals, Jan Marini, Skin Medica, Simple Solutions, and Dermalase Advanced Protection SPF 30. Click here for more information on these products.

Skin Cancer Claims 67,000 Lives A Year
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates every one in five Americans will be diagnosed with at least one type of skin cancer in their lifetime. The ACS also predicts skin cancer claims 67,000 lives a year in the United States. To protect yourself, the best advice is:

• stay out of the sun between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm when the sun's rays are the strongest;
• Wear protective clothing and a hat when you are outdoors;
• Always apply sunscreens 10 to 20 minutes before exposure to the sun and continue to re-apply every 60 to 90 minutes.

Visit our products page for a listing of the sunscreens we recommend containing Z-Cote and transparent Zinc Oxide. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as healthy tanning. It only leads to pre-mature aging and possibly cancer.

Back To The Top