The Truth About Sunscreen

Yahoo Shine recently posted an article exposing the truth about sunscreens. Many of the sunscreens on the market do not carry ingredients to protect agains both UVA and UVB rays. I've been aware of this for awhile, but since not everyone is a skin freak like me, I thought I'd reiterate what this article talked about and bring awareness to my readers (you!). 

Here's a quick lesson

The sun's rays: UVA rays are the ones that cause premature aging and skin cancer. UVB rays cause sunburns.

SPFs higher than 50: are basically pointless. Also, SPFs really only protect you from UVB rays.

Sunscreen sprays: are harmful for the environment, don't use them.

Stuff to avoid: anything containing Oxybenzone (associated with allergic reactions and is a hormone disruptor) and Retinyl Palmitate (a form of vitamin A). Pimple creams and zit zappers usually have Retinyl in them (to kill the bacteria causing the pimple) so if you do use one of those products, be sure to wear lots of sunscreen the next couple of days to protect your skin.

"I'm black, so I don't need SPF": whether you can pass for Casper the Friendly Ghost or are of African descent, EVERYONE needs SPF. I found out from my dermatoligist that dark skin has a natural SPF of 15. That's nothing. All my dark-skinned girls out there, please slather on some SPF 30!

Here's a list of safe, affordable sunscreens that the Environmental Working Group (EWG, a research and advocacy group) recommends:

•Alba Botanica Sun: Mineral Sunscreen Fragrance Free, SPF 30


•Alba Botanical Sun: Mineral Sunscreen Kids, SPF 30

•Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Saving Face Sunscreen, SPF 15

•All Terrain Aquasport Performance Sunscreen, SPF 30

•All Terrain KidSport Sunscreen, SPF 30

•BabyGanics Cover Up Baby Sunscreen for Face & Body, Fragrance Free, SPF 50+

•Carribean Solutions Natural/Biodegradable SolGuard, SPF 25

•Carribean Solutions Sol Kid Kare Natural Sunscreen, SPF 25

•Earth's Best: Sunblock Mineral Based, SPF 30+

•Goddess Garden Kids Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+

•Goddess Garden Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+

•Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas: Mineral Natural Sunblock, SPF 30

•Johnson & Johnson's Baby Daily Face & Body Lotion, SPF 40

•Mexitan Products Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 and SPF 30

•MelanSol Natural Sunscreen for Face and Body, SPF 25

•Nature's Gate Mineral Sportblock, SPF 20

•Purple Prairie Botanicals SunStuff, SPF 30

•Solbar Zinc Protection Cream, SPF 38

•Sunbow Dora the Explorer Pink Sunscreen, SPF 30

•Tropical Sands All Natural Sunscreen, SPF 50 and SPF 30

•Vanicream Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin, SPF 30

•Vanicream Sunscreen Sport, SPF 35

 
 
Be safe, my fellow sun worshippers!