All About Sun Protection - Why It's important, What Ingredients to Avoid, and Application Advice

With summer now well underway, here's a summary of my knowledge on sun protection. I'm not a professional, but I have read up extensively on the topic.

Why use sunscreen?

Most people don't realize that the sun is associated with as much as 90% of wrinkles and skin aging. Even worse, the effects of sun damage may not show up for 20 years, so what may seem like harmless tanning or Vitamin D-getting now can wreck havoc on your skin later on. 

Additionally, UV penetrates the clouds year-round, so whether you live in gray Seattle or the sunny equator, be sure to apply any time you'll be outside, rain or shine!

General: There are two types of sunscreens:

·        Physical: Use minerals Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide to physically block sun. May leave a white cast on the face with flash photography, but generally safer to use.

·        Chemical: Uses chemicals that absorb UV rays (e.g. Oxybenzone).

Avoid:

·    Oxybenzone: Active ingredient in most chemical sunscreens, a hormone disrupter that may be absorbed into the skin

·    Retinyl Palmitate: A form of Vitamin A that can increase risk of skin cancer when the used on sun-exposed skin

·    SPFs over 50: Generally not shown to be effective, and may even cause more exposure to UV radiation

·    Parabens: Preservatives included under inactive ingredients

Make sure to:

• Reapply at least every 2 hours because the sun breaks down the sunscreen
• Find a “broad spectrum” sunblock that covers UVA and UVB. UVA causes wrinkles, UVB causes burns. Some sunscreens only protect against UVB so make sure to be aware of this.
• For spray sunscreens, make sure to not inhale while spraying (or spray on hand and then rub onto face). Also make sure to spray a couple times to ensure even coverage.
• Apply if you're sitting in front of a window or driving in a sunny car! Glass only blocks UVB, but not UVA rays, so keep your skin shielded.
• Wear wide-brimmed hats whenever possible - they're not only a fashion statement, but also offer valuable protection. Try to get a hat with tightly weaved straw so that the sun isn't able to get through. For the winter, look for stylish black wool options.
• Pat, don't rub, sunscreens into your face. You don't want to tug mercilessly on your face and cause wrinkles!

Stay tuned for a list of the specific sunscreens I use!

Links to read more:

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/16/health/sunscreen-report/

http://foodbabe.com/2013/05/05/what-you-need-to-know-before-you-ever-buy-sunscreen-again/

Check the list of the safest sunscreens here: http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/