The sun is back out, and that means it's time to find a safe and effective sunscreen for your family. Though it's a good idea to wear sun protection at any time of the year, protecting your skin from sun damage during the spring and summer months is vital. Here are a few facts about sunscreens and skin health.
Sunscreen Facts
- Not all sunscreens are safe or effective. Dangerous skin cancers have tripled in the past 35 years. Shockingly, most available sunscreens do not provide adequate protection against the UVA rays that cause skin cancer. A sunscreen's SPF rating is designed to tell you about the product's effectiveness in preventing a sunburn caused by UVB rays, but it is the UVA rays that penetrate the skin and may contribute to long-term skin damage and cancers. The "Broad Spectrum" label indicates that a sunscreen may provide both types of protection, but there is no regulation that requires sunscreen makers to tell you how much of each type of protection their product provides.
- Relying on sunscreen alone may actually contribute to skin damage, as people spend more time in the sun without the painful reminder to get out of the sun that a sunburn can provide. Avoid being outdoors during the hours between 10 AM - 1 PM, when the sun's rays are strongest. Wear sun-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and light, reflective colors when spending time in the sun.
- How you apply your sunscreen is important in determining its effectiveness. Applying too little or too much and forgetting to reapply on schedule can lessen the application's effectiveness and contribute to sun damage. Read the instructions on your sunscreen label and follow them faithfully.
- Harsh chemical sunscreens may contain potentially harmful or ineffective ingredients. According to the Environmental Working Group, the safest and most effective sunscreens for your family will not contain potential hormone disruptors, like Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Homosalate, Octisalate, or Octocrylene. Safer alternatives include Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Avobenzone, or Mexoryl SX. Mineral Sunscreens like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide provide the most effective protection with the least potential side effects, according to numerous EWG studies.
The safer Mineral Sunscreen:
Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 30 by Beautycounter, does not contain any of these dangerous chemicals. In fact, they have banned more than 1,500 ingredients from all of their products, including sunscreens, setting a new health and safety standard. Because the founder was concerned about what she was using on her own kids, a safer sunscreen was one of the first products she developed.
This lightweight, water-resistant sunscreen uses non-nano zinc oxide and evaluates its particle size to ensure there is no potential risk of respiration when sprayed. Therefore, it does not enter the bloodstream to cause harmful effects to the body. This physical barrier provides an effective shield from both UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, it is delivered using only compressed air with no chemical propellants used in most aerosol cans.
Formulated with non-nano zinc oxide and soothing California Poppy, it is gentle and pleasant feeling on the skin. It sprays on white to help guide application, then blends in easily, and dries quickly without an oily residue. It is also available in a lotion and a convenient sunscreen stick
For more information or to purchase, click HERE.
For more information about sunscreen safety and effectiveness, visit the Environmental Working Group's Guide to Sunscreens.
