Sunscreen is more of a necessity than a luxury; that is, unless you don’t mind running a higher risk for skin cancer or aging your skin prematurely! Sunblock with a sufficiently high SPF isn’t the only thing that you need to do to protect your skin. If you can stay out of the sun from the late morning to early afternoon when possible, that helps to reduce your exposure – and this includes overcast days (yes, you can still get sunburned even if it’s cloudy).
There are a lot of brands of sunscreen on the market, each of which may contain any number of ingredients. Before you choose sunblock, you’ll need to know what these ingredients do and which of them you need. Some ingredients block out ultraviolet radiation. These include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Mary Kay® Sun Care Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30*
Yard work, daily errands, vacations – now you have UVA/UVB protection for everything under the sun. Very water-resistant and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes, Mary Kay® Sun Care Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30* is a lightweight, oil-free sunscreen for face or body. Enriched with antioxidant vitamins and free-radical scavengers, it absorbs quickly, leaving your skin feeling soft and moisturized – part of a total Skin Wellness® regimen.
Depending on your age, you may remember zinc oxide as a preventative measure against diaper rash; it’s a very effective barrier and is cheap, which is why it’s in so many different brands of sunscreen.
There are also other chemicals which you may find in sunblock which aren’t nearly so benign, however. For example, there is avobenzone, which degrades in the presence of sunlight, forming free radical compounds which could potentially damage skin. Some brands of sunscreen use avobenzone in combination with another chemical, oxybenzone and this combination resists degrading for a longer time (which also means that products made this way have a higher SPF). While these chemical sun blockers are OK for some people, others are allergic and those with sensitive skin may find that they can cause irritation.
For full protection, you need a sunscreen which contains zinc oxide. Zinc oxide provides protection against both UVA and UVB radiation to prevent damage to the skin. Some common sense measures are also in order; you need to reapply sun block every few hours that you’re in the sun. Even if your sun block says that it is waterproof, you should still reapply if you’re sweating heavily and after you get out of the water.
You need to be especially careful about sun exposure if you’re taking certain medications. Retinoid medications such as Accutane, some antibiotics and hormonal birth control can all cause photosensitivity to some extent. If you need to reduce your exposure while taking medication, the label should include a warning to this effect. You may need to continue avoiding the sun when possible for some time after discontinuing use as well; ask your doctor or pharmacist about this.
It’s not enough to just put on some sunscreen, even high SPF sun block and immediately go for a swim or lay out in the sun. It’s best to apply your sun screen about half an hour before you plan to need it; this gives your sunscreen time to be absorbed by your skin and start providing you with the UV protection you need.
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Tags: Mary Kay Sunscreen, SPF, SPF 30, sunblock, sunscreen
Psoriasis - Red or inflamed skin, usually covered with loose whitish scales of dried skin. Often itch y and painful, they may also crack and bleed. It can also affect the nails of both hands and feet, causing discoloration and pitting as well as detachment from the nail bed. Most frequently found on the scalp, elbows, knees, heels, and hands and feet, it can also cause psoriatic arthritis, causing pain and swelling in the joints.
