When you wear SPF it is the single best thing you can do to help protect your skin and your health from the sun’s rays. This helps protect against premature aging, sunburns, and skin cancer.  Did you know that the damage from a sunburn does not go away once the redness fades? In fact what has really happened is the UVB – burning ultraviolet rays have penetrated deep into the skin, where cells can be damaged. The long terms effects of a sunburn won’t just leave you with wrinkles but also increase the risk of skin cancer. Those UVA-Aging rays will do just that, age the skin, and potentially cause pigmentation.

What SPF should you buy?

There are two types of SPF, Chemical and Mineral, these respond differently to the sun’s rays. Mineral sunscreen is a physical sunscreen consisting of active ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide; they form a physical barrier that reflects the suns rays away from the skin. Chemical sunscreen is a category of SPF that uses active ingredients to absorb the sun rays, turn them into heat, and then release the heat through the skin.

What you really want to look for is…

one labeled Broad Spectrum, these will protect against UVA and UVB rays. You want to look for a sun protection factor (SPF), a minimum of SPF 30 is recommended for daily use on the face, neck, décolletage and hands.

What type do I recommend?

I love a Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Broad Spectrum SPF 30, this is a physical sunscreen. Thankfully today these types are sheerer to avoid the ghostly look. The reason for non-nano is because the non-nano particles aren’t going to be absorbed by your skin and possibly go into your bloodstream. Regular nano particles do have the potential to enter the bloodstream, so that’s why I avoid these types of SPF’s. Zinc Oxide also is less irritating and can support acne breakout.

Why do I no longer sell Chemical SPF?

Some studies do suggest concern over a potential link between chemical sunscreen use and endocrine disruption. I have read and studied this research and have concluded they are not safe for a few reasons.

  1. When exposed to the sun’s rays, the chemical sunscreenthat has penetrated the skin neutralizes the UVA and UVB radiation. Free radicals are produced, and these excite the pigment producing cells that can form brown spots.
  2. Oxybenzone has been shown to be a potential hormone disruptor.
  3. Chemical SPF can contribute to coral reef bleaching when it’s washed off in the ocean.
  4. Chemical SPF can be quite irritating to your skin.

When should you apply SPF in your skin routine?

This is your last step of your AM routine; you do not apply this in your PM routine. You would Reapply every 2 hours, more often if you are fair, get wet, or are sweating. Apply 15 minutes before you go outside.

Is Makeup with Zinc Oxide enough?

Makeup and SPF powders are not enough! This is essential, make sure you apply the traditional zinc oxide SPF first, then apply the foundation and powders.  Then every 2 hours use powders or setting sprays that contain SPF that you can easily apply on top of makeup to refresh it. When I go to the beach I reapply my SPF 30 every 90 minutes, I wear a giant fabulous hat, wear sunglasses and wear SPF blocking cover-ups to protect my skin. Wear SPF every day!