Up to 90% of aging in the skin is caused by the sun.  UVB rays cause sunburn in the upper layers of the skin while.  Even though you can’t feel UVA rays they are the most dangerous kind.   They cause  unseen immediate damage to the collagen and elastin and loss of Vit A leading to pigmentation, lines and wrinkles.  Both UVB & UVA can lead to skin cancer disorders.  UVB rays cannot pass through glass but up to 75% of UVA can!  This is why it is important to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen every day.

Zinc oxide is the only ingredient that single handedly protects against both UVB and UVA.

 

Myth:   There is no such thing as Spf layering!!

For example.  A moisturizer containing Spf 10 plus foundation with Spf 15 does not add up to Spf 25!! You are only protected by the highest level of Spf in the individual product!

 

Mineral sunscreens are usually better for the environment and for your skin so look for mineral/physical sunscreens containing zinc and titanium dioxide.  Also, they are less likely to cause irritation in sensitive skins.  They deflect the suns rays and do not absorb into the blood stream.  Some ingredients In Chemical Spfs have been found present in breast milk.   Look for sunscreens that contain antioxidants as they help to neutralize free radical damage.  Our Coola Sun care range and Synergie Uberzinc are a good example of this as they contain lycopene (from tomatoes) and green tea respectively.   These antioxidants also help protect not only from the damaging HEV Visible sun rays, but similar HEV blue light rays from TV’s, computer screens and phones.  Therefore, these antioxidants may your skin indoors also!

Good quality sunscreens also sometimes show a UVA PA+ rating.  Protection against UVA sun rays.  They can rate from some protection: PA+ – PA++++ extremely high protection.  Uberzinc has a rating of PA+++.

If your skin can burn without sunscreen in 10 minutes an Spf 15 will protect you for 150 minutes, as a general rule.  Spf 30 – 5hrs approx., and Spf 50 8 hrs approx. – provided it is reapplied after swimming or perspiration.   Note:  You only receive 3% more UVB protection from Spf30 (97%) than from Spf 15 (93%) and 2% more from Spf50 (99%) than Spf 30.  The numbers relate to how long you can remain in the sun with wearing Spf.  Obviously between 11.00 – 3pm is when the rays are at their most damaging.

And of course you can replace some valuable lost Vit A on the face by applying your Vit A serums at night.