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Your Guide To Choosing
An Effective Sunscreen

The Best Anti-Aging
Beauty Measure You Can Take

Sunscreen is a must daily!  It is never too late to start using sunscreen and begin to cut off the lethal effects of the sun on your skin.

I wish I had really got this concept along time ago...

The problem for me, and I think a lot of us, was that I experienced that immediate appeal of face enhancing color; you know cute little freckles on your nose, radiant coloring, your teeth seem whiter etc...this worked as a sun worshipping teen, and in my immortal twenties...BUT in my thirties some real truths begin to reveal themselves.

I would have gladly used more sun sense and sunless tanning lotions and traded that short term appeal for long term healthy great looking skin now.  I work pretty hard now to undo that damage and prevent further age accelerating exposure.

A good sunscreen will protect you from the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays. This is one of the most critical measures you can take to safeguard your skin, your beauty and your health.

Protection of the skin from sun exposure is required for all races of people, every where, and should be part of everyone's' morning skin care program.

Over exposure is a serious issue that goes far beyond the displeasure of a sunburn. The sun damage resulting from over exposure, and repeated events of over exposure, far surpass the unattractive visual queue of leathery wrinkled skin. Sun harm can effect your skin's health dramatically, and even result in disease.

sunscreenSunscreen is the only beauty product that can truthfully claim to prevent aging and wrinkles. 

Sun exposure is the primary culprit behind aging skin , wrinkles, pigmentation problems, and most definitely skin cancer (and these negative effects occur in varying degrees depending on your skin color).

By the way, it is important to note that it doesn't take much to venture into "over-exposure" status. Too much sun can happen pretty quickly and that small time frame varies, an even smaller degree, based on your skin type and color.

The SPF number noted on packaging, determines how many times longer you can stay in the sun without burning, than you could with out it.  It also will only protect your from UVB rays...thats why you need to choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that also protects you from UVA.

sunscreen Most dermatologists recommend an SPF of at least 15 and a sunscreen application of at least 15-30 minutes before you go out into the sun. It will take this long for chemical block sunscreens to work with your skin and provide protection.

Physical blocks should contain ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and act to create an immediate barrier between the sun and your skin, reflecting the UVA and UVB rays.

Chemical block sunscreens contain ingredients like Parsol 1789, otherwise known as avobenzone. Because of their nature, chemical sunscreens need application approximately 20-30 minutes prior to sun exposure, since they require that time to chemically work with the skin to create the absorbing shield.

sunscreenThe Most Effective Sunscreen Has These Ingredients...These ingredients are proven to cover the full UVA/ UVB spectrum (not just  part of a ray spectrum)

Chemical Block (absorb UVR): AVOBENZONE (Parsol 1789)

Physical Block (reflect UVR): TITANIUM DIOXIDE,ZINC OXIDE

sunscreenAnother important consideration when choosing sun protection would be your skin type.  

For example, if you are very fair and/or have sensitive skin, you may lean towards water resistant sunscreens with physical blocks since they work immediately, stay on better, and are much less likely to irritate your skin.

On the other hand, if your skin is dark, you may opt for a chemical sunscreen since they are transparent and a physical sunblocks on darker skin can be noticeable since they tend to be opaque (although new formulations are more and more transparent).

In addition, we may need a different sunblock for our face, than the what we use on the rest of our body...

Face

There are a number of great products with ideal formulations.  Here are a few that stand out and are backed with both excellent customer feedback and professional reviews.

DDF Moisturizing Photo-Age Sunscreen, SPF 30DDF Moisturizing Photo-Age Sunscreen, SPF 30

"A lightweight, easily absorbed, moisturizing formula to help minimize free radical skin damage caused by exposure to UVA/UVB rays and environmental pollutants. Contains DDF Redox™II Antioxidant Complex for maximum protection from sun damage and premature aging. May be used with or without make-up. Oil & fragrance-free and excellent for all skin types."

*Ingredients: Avobenzone (PARSOL® 1789), Titanium Dioxide, Octocrylene, Octisalate, Octinoxate, Vitamins A, Vitamins C, Ascorbic, Ascorbyl, Ascorbate, Vitamins E,Co-Q10 (Ubiquinone),Genistein (Soya Sterols), Grape Speed Extract, Lutein (Green Tea Antioxident), N-Acetyl-Cysteine, Polyphenols, Pycnogenol Bioflavonid, Zinc.

SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30  

"Optimal for sensitive or traumatized skin and safe for children, Physical UV Defense is a true broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunblock perfect for daily use. This cosmetically elegant, all-physical sunblock contains 5% transparent zinc oxide and 10% titanium dioxide, two non-irritating active ingredients ideal for use on all skin types. Breakthrough dispersion technology minimizes the “whitening” effect commonly found in other all-physical sunscreens by equally distributing reduced sunscreen particles."

SkinCeuticals Daily Sun Defense SPF 20 is a excellent product for daily wear under makeup and again, is good for all skin types.

SkinCeuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45 is a fantastic reliable sunscreen for outdoor activities since it is water proof and sweat proof.

Body

For Babies 6 Months and older:

*IMPORTANT-Sun Protection on kids...the higher the SPF, the greater the protection HOWEVER, it is marginal after SPF 30.  There is a significant increase as SPF number goes up, that you child's skin may be sensitive to the sunscreen.  Really watch your choice of sunscreen application to your child's face, especially the eye area. 

Specifically for kids, try   Banana Boat Kids Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30icon "Banana Boat® Kids sunblock provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection in a gentle, hypo-allergenic, and fragrance-free lotion." It contains titanium dioxide and is waterproof too.

All Ages:

For outdoor activities that include swimming try  Banana Boat Ultra Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30 icon with Titanium Dioxide or Coppertone Sunblock Lotion, SPF 45 icon with Parsol 1789.

  Sea & Ski Sport Sunblock Lotion, SPF 50 ;icon"Sport Sunblock SPF 50, with Micronized Zinc Oxide, is for the real sports enthusiast who demands advanced protection against UVA/UVB rays."  It is sweat proof, water proof, non greasy and contains antioxidants and the physical barrier zinc oxide.


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