Sunscreen

Five Important Tips On The Best Anti Aging Measure

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 the experience of that immediate appeal of face enhancing color, cute little freckles, whiter looking teeth, brighter  eyes etc...these glorious results worked as a sun worshipping teen, brought pleasure in my immortal twenties...
BUT in my thirties some real truths began to reveal themselves.

If I only knew then, what I know now...

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

Photo: ©istockphoto.com/ Haveseen

#1  A good sunscreen will protect you from the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays (broad spectrum). 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.

#2  Sunscreen 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.

#3  Most dermatologists recommend an SPF of at least 15 and a sunblock application of at least 15-30 minutes before you go out into the sun.

It will take this long for chemical agents in sunscreens to work with your skin and provide protection.

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 you from UVB rays...thats why you need to choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that also protects you from UVA.

#4  The Most Effective Sunscreen Has These Ingredients...These ingredients are proven to cover the full UVA/ UVB spectrum (not just part of a ray spectrum...Remember SPF adresses only UVB)

Physical blocks act to create an immediate barrier between the sun and your skin, reflecting the UVA and UVB rays.

Great physical block ingredients:
TITANIUM DIOXIDE, ZINC OXIDE

Chemical block chemically work with the skin to create an absorbing shield. Because of this nature, chemical sunscreens need application approximately 20-30 minutes prior to sun exposure.

Great CHEMICAL Block (absorb UVR) ingredients:
AVOBENZONE (Parsol 1789) ECAMSULE (MEXORYL SX-new) BEMOTRIZINOL (TINOSORB S-new)

#5  Another 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).

Anthelios Sx SPF 15 at Beso.com

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.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sx SPF 15

*"Breakthrough daily moisturizer containing Mexoryl™ SX, a unique organic UV filter that is highly protective against short UVA waves, provides comprehensive UVA/UVB protection*. Anthelios SX features the first new sun filter in a sunscreen approved by the FDA in 18 years. * Mexoryl SX (ecamsule) helps protect against short UVA rays

• Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone) helps protect against long UVA rays
• Octocrylene helps protect against UVB rays
• Glycerin moisturizing agent

ALSO WINNER of 12 beauty awards including:

• Women’s Health 2010 “Expert’s Pick”
• Allure 2009 Best of Beauty “Best Facial Moisturizer for Normal Skin”
• Instyle 2009 Best Beauty Buy “Daytime Moisturizer with SPF”

*Above information from LA ROCHE POSAY U.S. website.

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-physicalsunscreens by equally distributing reduced sunscreen particles."

*Above information from SkinCeuticals U.S. website.

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 sun protection product for outdoor activities since it is water proof and sweat proof.

For serious sports activity, and a less serious price try Banana Boat Sport Faces Performance SPF 30, it is water and sweat resisitant, oil free, fragrance free, Hypoallergenic , and not greasy.  It has photostable protection with AvoTriplex™ (Avobenzone, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone...)

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. As the SPF number goes up, there is a significant increase in the potential for your child's skin to be sensitive to the sunscreen. Really watch your choice of sunscreen application to your child's face, especially the eye area.

Banana Boat Sport Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 at Beso.com

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

All Ages:

For outdoor activities that include swimming try Banana Boat Sport Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30 with Titanium Dioxide or Coppertone Sport Sunblock Lotion, SPF 15 with Avobenzone.

Last word on sun protection? Use some common sense....we'll call it sun sense; avoid peak hours, wear a good quality sunscreen with a moderate SPF number like 15 or 30, and great quality ingredients that provide broad spectrum protection, then get outside and play. What You Should Know About Vitamin D and Sun Exposure - Get the important facts and great tips about vitamin D and sun exposure.

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