If I could go back in time and do only one thing differently for my skin, it would be to practice diligence with sun protection. I was raised in a sun-worshiping culture, and knew very little about photodamage, which is the damage that occurs to our DNA from overexposure to sunlight and manifests itself in advanced aging, wrinkling, and uneven skin. Thankfully, it's never too late to start a new healthy habit.
What is the difference between UVA and UVB?
The sun emits different types of ultraviolet rays, but UVA and UVB rays cause the most damage to the skin. UVAs reach our skin all year long - regardless of the weather - because they can penetrate clouds. These rays damage the deepest layers of our skin (the dermis) and cause photoaging, which is the premature aging of skin from sun exposure. They destroy collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkling and sagging. UVBs damage the most superficial layer of our skin. A quick way to remember the difference between the two types of rays is to remember A=aging and B=burning.
Do I really need to wear sunscreen every day?
In short, yes! We recommend only natural SPF's like Hynt Beauty Sun Prep Broad Spectrum SPF 25 Sunscreen, Babyganics mineral-based sunscreen SPF 50+. etc. Remember apply mineral-based SPF's in one, upward-like motion, towards your hair line, until the "white" disappears.
Let's break it down...
The best, most effective broad-spectrum active ingredient in sunscreens is zinc oxide, followed by titanium dioxide. SPF measures the sunscreen's ability to prevent sun damage from UVB rays. Here is the simplest way to explain the most up-to-date SPF ratings.
* SPF 15 filters about 93% of UVB rays
* SPF 30 filters 97%
*Sunscreens with SPF above 50 do not offer significantly more protection than SPF 50 (about 98.5%).
If it takes 10 minutes for your skin to burn in the sun, with an SPF 15 sunscreen IT will take 15 times longer for your skin to burn (10 x 15 = 150 minutes) and with an SPF 30 sunscreen it will take 30 times longer, etc. That being said, no matter what the SPF rating is, you should reapply sunscreen throughout the day, as often as indicated on the product label, which is typically every two hours. - By The Detox Market brand ambassador, and green beauty blogger Lily Wallace of Genuine Glow.
Cheers to healthy, sun protected skin!
With Love and Blessings!
Rebecca