Two types of sunscreen ingredients, physical and chemical, are available to prevent UV rays from attacking the viability of healthy skin cells. A physical sunscreen is not absorbed into the skin. It physically reflects the rays away from the skin by sitting on top of the skin. The type used the longest, for over 300 … Read more › “Physical and Chemical Sunscreens”

UVB, or Ultraviolet Burning, are short wave solar rays measuring 290-320 nanometers. It stimulates the production of essential Vitamin D in our bodies. Considered the cause of sunburn, they are also thought to be the main cause of basal and squamous cell carcinomas, and to highly contribute to the cause of melanoma. UVA, or Ultraviolet … Read more › “What Is UVB? UVA?”

The SPF – sun protection factor – of any sunscreen is determined in an FDA-approved, independent lab and must be determined by using a panel of at least 20 human subjects. It is determined by measuring the time it takes to develop skin redness (erythema) to a known amount of radiation. The most important factor … Read more › “How is My Sunscreen’s SPF Number Determined?”

Often people misinterpret broad spectrum to mean “full protection”, but this is not the case. Broad spectrum indicates the ability of a product to protect against parts of the UVA and UVB spectrums; it does not guarantee protection against all wavelengths.

Unfortunately, even products with broad spectrum SPFs cannot completely block the sun. Some UV radiation reaches and penetrates the skin, generating free radicals and attacking the skin cells, collagen, and elastin. A recent university study shows, however, that the inclusion of antioxidants in SPF formulations increases protection by the action of their neutralizing activities on … Read more › “What Should Be Additionally Formulated Into Sunscreens?”