Are you getting the most from your sun protection?

These days we are all very aware of the dangers from too much sun exposure. We are conscience of lathering protection under make-up, before heading out to the park or at the beach, but somehow skin cancer is on the rise. What's the problem since there are now so many choices to suit every skin condition and lifestyle?Recent Reports have come out about the links between artificial sun-protecting ingredients and skin cancer. Sun protecting ingredients (not sun blocks!) stop the inflammation process, but do not block the rays from damaging the skin.Less inflammation, less damage! Unfortunately, inflammation just means repair in this case since the UV rays are still reaching and damaging our skin cells DNA.

Sun-Protection 101: The Difference Between Physical and Artificial Sunscreens

Artificial Sunscreens

Chemical sunscreen filters that absorb UV radiation and have a negative effect on the skin and the body.

• They absorb UV light within the skin carrying these chemicals into the blood

• Ingredients have been located in liver 72 hours after application.

• Only filters UVB rays

• Studies have proven an increase in skin cancer with use

• It minimizes the body's own protection and repair action signal of redness. Redness is a sign of inflammation and that the body needs more protection and therefore sunscreens needs to be reapplied.

• Allergen/Irritating

• Environmental Concerns-While consumer safety groups have largely led the charge for higher sunscreen standards, another, more recent complaint concerns not the skin but the sea. According to a study released in January 2008, four common chemical sunscreen agents may be at least partly responsible for increased coral bleaching worldwide. Cinnimate, benzophenone, parabens (artificial preservatives) and camphor derivatives were found to activate viruses in the algae that provide the coral both with its main source of food energy and its vibrant color.

• Inadequate UVA protection, many chemical sunscreens have come under fire for containing ingredients that may actually help generate free radicals. While ingredients like oxybenzone and octocrylene may offer adequate UVB defense, these chemicals can also penetrate into the skin where they act as photosensitizers, actually increasing the skin’s sensitivity to harmful UV light. This photosensitivity often results in increased free radical production under illumination. The popular ingredient para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) was banned for use in sunscreen after it was determined to produce DNA damage when illuminated. The European Union has placed similar restrictions on other potentially harmful ingredients.

• Some or all contain: Mexoryl ,Paba, Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, Benzophene, ButylMethoxydibenzoylmethane

Physical Natural Sunscreens

The bottom line Physical sun blocks are the answer Titanium Oxide, Zinc Oxide and Zirconium Oxide are the BEST known and continue to outperform.

• Physically shield skin and offer blocking capabilities from UVA, UVB, and UVC RAYS

• Adhere to the skins surface, providing a protective barrier

• Safely Reflect UV Rays before they reach the skin

• Usually Water-Resistant

• Significantly less allergenic/irritating

• Contain some or all Titanium Oxide, Zinc Oxide, and Zirconium Oxide

• You can find this in Reflect, Serious Protection, Hydrate+ from Cosmedix

Waterproof or Water Resistant

Waterproof or water resistant sunscreens are "marketing words" and  gimmicks to get the consumer to buy the product. The effects are not different from regular sun protection. No sunscreen is waterproof. It is only a matter of time before water washes it off  or you sweat it off. This is why reapplication is key!!