We all know by now, just like jeans are a closet staple, sunscreen is a 24/7/365 rain-or-shine must-have in your beauty routine.
After all, 95% of aging is caused by the sun (even on cloudy days), so it truly is the most important step to preserving your beautiful skin! And, just like those go-to jeans, you need multiple styles (yes, plural) of sunscreen…hence the “wardrobe”.
Let’s start here…the 101 on sunscreen in general.
An SPF, or sun protective factor, for example of 50, means you can stay in the sun 50 times longer than you could without it before burning. However, this doesn’t factor in the news that sunblock starts to break down as soon as it’s applied so be sure to reapply every 2 to 3 hours.SPF only provides protection from UVB rays which are the damaging rays that harm skin's DNA. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply causing wrinkles and brown spots. So always choose products with an SPF of at least 30 that also includes “broad spectrum protection.”
Chemical vs. mineral protection? Mineral sunscreens, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are natural and non-toxic sunscreens. They sit on top of your skin and block the sun like reflectors. Chemical sunscreens like oxybenzone (contributor to the death of coral reefs), octinoxate, octisalate and avobenzone (a common cause of sunscreen allergy) must be absorbed into the skin before they can protect us from the sun’s radiation.
That’s why I always prefer clean and reef-safe mineral sunscreens like Zinc Oxide for dual protection against UVB rays that cause burns and UVA rays that break down collagen and activate brown spots. Formerly known for being thick and white, the new Zinc Oxides have come a long way, even becoming cosmetically “elegant”. Another great option is Titanium Dioxide - although it only protects from UVB rays, so look for products that include both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for full coverage, broad spectrum protection.
Let’s break it down.
Here are the sunscreens that meet Credo’s and my personal standards - add these, knowing they’ve been vetted for efficacy and overall clean beauty goodness, to your sunscreen wardrobe…asap. And don’t skip a single day…ever. Ever.Face Sunscreen:
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
A daily face sunscreen with tint that blurs any imperfections.
ILIA Flow-Thru Radiant Translucent Powder - SPF 20
A powder sunscreen for easy reapplication during the day. I always buy two: one for my bag and one for the car.
EleVen On-The-Defense Sunscreen SPF 30
A daily body sunscreen for my neck, chest, and arms during summer days at work. I opt for non-tinted so that it does not stain my clothes.
Body Sunscreen:
Love Sun Body Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Fragrance-Free
A sunscreen that is water resistant for exercise and water play.
Lip Sunscreen:
AKT Therapy Lip Balm & Face Stick
A sunscreen for my lips. Again, I always buy two: one for my bag and one for the car.
Supplement Sunscreen:
Sundaily The Base Layer Botanical Skincare Supplement
An oral supplement with polypodium leucotomos and antioxidants for added protection.
Clothing and accessories–happy shopping!
Sunglasses, hats, sun protective clothing. I highly recommend long sleeve bathing suits by Athleta and Seea.And who can deny the fact that many of us feel more beautiful and comfortable in bathing suits when we have a bit of color on our skin? If you’re one of the masses, get yourself a self-tan by The Organic Pharmacy or a luminizing glow by Goop.
Don’t forget…sunscreen is only as good as the application job. So, reapply often, grab a cute hat and glasses and use a full 2 ounces head to toe every time you apply.
Also, you can increase the sun protection in your clothing by washing them with RIT sun guard at the beginning of summer…who knew?
If, besides your very best efforts, you do get sunburned (it happens), take an anti-inflammatory, like ibuprofen, as soon as possible to help with the redness and pain. Coat the burned areas with Doctor Rogers RESTORE Healing Balm to protect and heal the skin and drink plenty of water.
Good day sunshine!
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References:
https://www.aad.org/public/spot-skin-cancer/learn-about-skin-cancer/prevent/is-sunsceen-safe
Researchers Say Oxybenzones Kills Baby Coral And Contributes To Reef Decline.
Reuters (10/21, Liston) reports that a study published Oct. 20 int he Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology suggests that oxybenzone, a chemical commonly found in sunscreen that filters UVA and UVB rays, kills baby coral and is implicated in global coral reef decline. The chemical, which acts as an endocrine disruptor also increases coral's susceptibility to bleaching. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, no data exist demonstrating that the chemical is hazardous to human health.
