In this post I'm going to address the questions I get asked on almost a daily basis! I warn you, there's a lot of information I have on this topic so this may be a bit long!
First, what is sunscreen? People usually comment with "it's a moisturizer with SPF", but that isn't exactly it. A sunscreen is a lotion, spray or crème product containing sun protection in the form of SPF. However, while they are the consistency of a moisturizer per say, you should always apply a moisturizer first and a sunscreen after. Sunscreens are also described as a drug product by most regulatory agencies due to the use of certain active ingredients that block or "screen" the UV rays from the sun. These ingredients are called either a physical blocker or a chemical absorber.
Now, you're probably saying, "what's the difference! They're all the same to me!".
A chemical absorber is an ingredient use in sunscreens that absorb the suns rays. However these are just that, chemicals, and can be absorbed into the skin too so it's best to know which ones to avoid and what percentages to avoid and why. But you're probably also thinking, why, if it's potentially harmful, would there be any of these ingredients in there! It's mostly because they are synthetic and can be man made and cheap to manufacture and use. (Concerning the safety of ingredients and why which are in what, that's another blog post!).
These chemical absorbers are going to be shown in the ingredients list under Active Ingredients and they will show what percentage they are in the product as well. The usual ingredients are
octisalate, oxybenzone, avobenzone, and more. Those three are the most common, but there are chances you'll see a different ingredient instead of one of these three.
Oxybenzone, however, is the one to look out for. It's been know as an endocrine disruptor (hormone disruptor) and endocrine disruptors will affect everyone but are most harmful to children. Sunscreen products in the store usually have this in a high percentage of 3-6 percent. It's best to find a product without this ingredient or a very low percentage. The lowest I have seen this ingredient is at 1.8% in a spray sunscreen called Sunshades Sport by Melaleuca. (I will have other blog posts reviewing products I order from this company).
On to physical blockers. Physical blockers do just that, they physically block the suns harmful rays by deflecting it off the skin. They are usually in products under the Active Ingredients list as well, and are usually used in place or in conjunction with some of the above three ingredients. I've usually seen them used instead of oxybenzone but I haven't checked the back of every bottle of sunscreen either. Physical blockers are also mineral ingredients that do come from the earth, but with technology now a days you never know when they can man make one of these physical blockers.
The ingredients that are considered physical blockers are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (think the white nose of a lifeguard at the beach). These ingredients in high doses don't usually blend or rub into the skin very well but more and more brands are making it easier to have a transparent sunscreen while using these. But be aware that in flash photography these products will give a white cast to you face in photos. Usually, if these are used alone they in very high percentages, upwards of 20% even. These have not been deemed harmful in anyway so they are a better choice for your children for sure, and for yourself if you don't mind the "white" look.
I will stop here for this post, but am going to write another one on what is SPF, how high the SPS should be and SPF for children. Thanks for checking out my blog today and keep checking for updates!
Have a wonderful day wherever you may be!
Presley Charlotte
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