Choose Your Sunscreen Wisely by Natalie Katsman

that the skin is left with is damaged collagen, which is not as

flexible and cannot perform its original functions. The skin

loses its elasticity and forms wrinkles.

Sooner or later, wrinkles happen to everyone due to natural skin

aging and gravity. However, without proper sun protection, skin

ages a lot faster, and unfortunately, the damage is irreversible.

There are two types of protection used in skin care products:

physical and chemical, where physical block reflects sun rays,

and chemical absorbs them, similar to melanin, before they can

do any harm.

Physical sun screens include zinc oxide and titanium oxide, with

zinc oxide (aka Z-Cote) being more powerful. Now creams with

Z-Cote are available in wearable form, when they do not look

like white paste, but spread into an invisible barrier that

reflects both UVB and UVA sun rays.

Most powerful UVB screen is PABA, but it is not perfect for

everyone as it often can cause an allergic reaction. Other

chemical screens are:

· Cinnamates absorb UVB.

· Benzophenones absorb UVA.

· Anthranilates absorb UVA and UVB.

Usually, your sunscreen product will contain several

protective ingredients, as combining them provides better

shield, according to research.

FDA requires each batch of sunscreen products to go

through SPF testing to ensure the effectiveness of the

product. At this time, sun protection factor applies to UVB

rays only as more research is necessary to determine the

standards for UVA protection.

As a rule, SPF number translates into the amount of time

one can safely be in the sun without burning. If you are an

individual with fair skin and burn in 10 minutes if unprotected,

SPF 15 will allow you to stay in the sun 15 times longer

(150 minutes). If your skin is dark and you burn in 30 minutes,

the same product will protect you for 450 minutes.

This formula is very approximate and does not provide for real

life conditions: wind, humidity, season, your location, etc.

Humidity and wind, for example, maximize the power of sun

rays, and your SPF 15 lotion may offer much less protection

when used on a breezy day or near water. Proximity to the

equator and elevation should not be forgotten: the closer you

are to the sun, the stronger its effect.

Reapplying your SPF often provides better protection than

purchasing a product with a higher SPF number. SPF protection

does not actually increase proportionately with an SPF number.

Under lab conditions, SPF 2 equals 50% absorption of burning

UVB rays, SPF of 15 indicates 93%, and SPF 30 and higher -

97% absorption.

As you see, some sunrays will still reach your skin, even if you

use lotion with a high SPF number. To shield these remaining

rays, use other means of sun protection: clothes, hats,

umbrellas and shades. Please remember that many surfaces -

snow, sand, water, concrete - reflect sun rays, so don't be

surprized if you got tan or burn even though you spent most of

your beach day under umbrella.

(C) Natalie Katsman, 2004

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BIO:

Natalie Katsman is a co-founder of http://www.natural-aid.com,
where you can find fine quality aloe vera products for beauty
and well-being and subscribe to HealthySkin Newsletter filled
with beauty tips, recipes and information on herbal healing,
skin care and cosmetic chemistry.

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