Sunscreen can be a very confusing thing for us to purchase. What should the SPF be? Is one brand better than another? How do I know if what I am using is safe? Well, let me help you understand how sunscreen works and clear up the confusion.
The first thing you need to know is that brand names and the way companies package their products can be very deceiving. The only way to know if you are getting the proper protection from a sunscreen is to read the label. As you will find out if you do that, sunscreens can be very different from each other.
The ingredients that protect you from UVA and UVB rays are called “active” ingredients and are found in various amounts depending on the brand you are looking at. It is important to note that many companies don’t include enough of these ingredients to actually protect you from the possibility of invisible skin damage or they use ingredients that actually breakdown and become “inactive” in the sunlight. It has been reported that up to 73 per cent of sunscreens on the market today are inferior and may not meet the SPF numbers that they claim on their labels. Studies have also found that many products include ingredients that can be harmful to your health.
So, how should we choose a sunscreen? First of all, you should always choose a lotion over a spray to ensure proper coverage. Although convenient, sprays make it harder to see if you have achieved the coverage you require.
The first ingredient you should look for is a high level of zinc oxide. Levels of 20% or higher will give you complete UVA and UVB protection. You can also achieve a sufficient level of protection with a sunscreen that has 15%-20% zinc oxide and at least 7.5% of either titanium dioxide or encapsulated octinoxate. Either of these options will provide you with a true SPF level of 30 which is the minimum level for proper protection. Remember that the higher the level of zinc oxide, the higher the SPF level. Sunscreens with zinc oxide levels lower than 15% are not recommended.
*Be careful NOT to choose a sunscreen that contains ONLY titanium dioxide alone. Although it will prevent a sunburn, it won’t protect you against the UVA rays that lead to premature aging.
The next thing to look for is to make sure that the ingredient list does NOT include either AHA or vitamin A. Both of these ingredients can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. Other ingredients that cause sensitivity to sunlight are glycolic acid, lactic acid, retinol, retinoic acid, retinyl acetate, retinyl linoleate and retinyl palmitate
Sunscreens can also contain whitening agents so try to find products with the least amount of whitening. These will have least amount of whitening and will contain micronized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide listed on their ingredients list.
Another ingredient to look for is any kind of polyunsaturated Oil. These types of oils are unstable and can break down and become toxic in UV light opening you up to the possibility of pigmentation, premature aging and cellular damage. Examples of polyunsaturated oils are almond oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, grape seed oil, peanut oil, rose hip oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil. Try to find a product that doesn’t have these oils listed in the first ten ingredients. Our K body blends have 32% zinc and no polyunsaturated oils.
Most important thing to consider is whether the sunscreen you are choosing is a chemical sunscreen or a mineral sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens absorb into the body and penetrate your bloodstream. Although they may prevent a sunburn, their protection against UVA rays is limited. Some may even have carcinogenic effects.
Mineral sunscreens do not absorb into the skin but rather stay on the surface of the skin and reflect the sun’s rays. They are stable and won’t cause any hormone-disrupting effects. Mineral ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. We can also include encapsulated octinoxate as it also stays on the skin’s surface acting like a mineral sunscreen.
The last thing to consider doesn’t have anything to do with the safety or effectiveness of your sunscreen but it can affect your skin. Silicones should never be used on the face, avoid to prevent breakouts. Silicones trap debris in your pores and interfere with cell renewal. Examples of silicones are dimethicone, methicone, trimethicone, cyclomethicone, amodimethicone, trimethylsilylamodimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane and dimethiconol.
I do hope with this information, you will now be able to make an informed and conscious choice when purchasing your sunscreen and keep your family safe for fun in the sun for years to come.
K body blends will carry a natural sunscreen containing only zinc oxide, it will still nourish with our richa base formulated for our upcoming sunny days and we will be partnering with Team Shan BREAST CANCER AWARENESS to help them continue great work with our young women for prevention of breat cancer.
Find K body blends Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 in store from the 20th OF APRIL 2018. PLEASE SHARE and FOLLOW US and SUBSCRIBE to out website for updates. Be the first to grab your bottle. Pre order today!
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