Let’s tall safer Sunscreen! You may think what’s there to know? Based on my skin tone or family history I just go to the local drug store and pick a 30+ or higher protection from the tall shelf of sunscreen. Maybe you even grab the BOGO free option. WRONG! ❌

Just because sunscreen is sold over the counter and accessible for anyone to grab and purchase doesn’t make it safe! The FDA does NOT regulate the ingredients and therefore harmful chemicals that go into our skincare/sunscreen.

Let’s back up….there are two different types of sunscreen.

CHEMICAL VS. MINERAL SUNSCREEN

Chemical sunscreens break down over time when exposed to the sun and contain chemical filters. They also penetrate the skin and can be absorbed in the blood stream.

Mineral sunscreens are formulated with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Which is a mineral (physical) blocker that sits on the surface of the skin and bounces sun’s rays away. 

SUN 101

When choosing a SAFE sunscreen you want to make sure you are choosing one that is protecting you from both UVA (suns aging rays) and UVB (sun’s burning rays) as well as a Broad Spectrum Sunscreen. 

UVA: Sun’s Aging Rays
These rays penetrate deep into the skin to cause the free-radical damage that contributes to premature aging and skin cancer. They are year-round and penetrate glass and clouds. 

UVB: Sun’s Burning Rays
These rays are the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer, so we see and feel the damage as it occurs. 

Blue LIght: Sun and Screen Rays 
High-energy visible (HEV) blue light comes not just form the sun, but also smartphones, tablets and computer screens. It can cause skin damage, including visible signs of aging. 

Beautycounter’s Countersun products protect for ALL rays – UVA, UVB and blue light HEV

Avoid the Terrible “Os”
Power is knowledge and when we know better, we do better. We make smarter, healthier and safer choices and we are encouraged to share what we learn/know with our family and loved ones. 

READ your labels. Just like you read and check labels on your food, what goes on your skin is JUST as important if not more important. Our skin is our largest organ and what we put on it can penetrate into our blood stream, causing hormonal disruption, skin tumors and other harmful effects. 

Any ingredient that begins with “O” is BAD! Oxybenzone and octinoxate ingredients are among the most dangerous to our systems. They penetrate the skin, enter the blood stream, and traces have been found in breast milk and urine. They are tied to allergic skin reactions, hormonal disruption (weakening estrogen levels and testosterone levels). There are also unsafe to our coral reefs systems and banned in Hawaii and California. 

For more information I encourage you to check out www.ewg.org

I leave you with ONE more piece of knowledge when trying to figure out what level SPF you need: the answer is not as high as you think….

SUN PROTECTION FACTOR
Measurement of defense against sunburn, primarily from UVB rays

SPF 15: blocks 93% of UV rays
SPF 30: blocks 97% of UV rays
SPF 50 blocks 98% of UV rays

It’s all a marketing ploy…the higher SPF in reality doesn’t really protect you from getting sunburned. At most you need SPF 50

FACT: 
☀️ 90% of the signs of aging are caused by the sun ?
☀️ In the US, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer than any other cancers combined 

BEST PRACTICES:
☀️ Use a broad – spectrum MINERAL sunscreen that protects from ALL rays
☀️ Apply 10-15 minutes before sun exposure
☀️ Apply to your face EVERYDAY, no matter what
☀️ Re-apply immediately after swimming and at least every 60-90 minutes

I hope you found this helpful, knowledgeable, powerful and insightful. I empower you to choose safer and better.

XO- CALYgirl