Sunscreen

Sun damage is the number one cause of premature aging in women. It’s also the one cause of aging that you can control—if you wear sunscreen daily. Since we apply sunscreen all over our bodies, it’s important to make a healthy choice. But choosing can be confusing! Here’s what to look for:

Active Ingredients
Exposure to UV light (ultra violet rays from the sun) breaks down collagen and leads to loose, leathery skin, along with lines and wrinkles. There are two types of UV: UVA (can cause aging and skin cancer), and UVB (leads to burning and tanning).

To protect your skin from both, look for sunscreens that list titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as an “active ingredient.” These are minerals that physically block both types of UV rays from reaching your skin. There are only a handful of active ingredients that offer protection from UVA and UVB, and these minerals are the best. All other active ingredients rely on chemicals to absorb UV rays. Chemical sunscreens can be irritating, and they are not as effective—according to a report from the Environmental Working Group, they may break down in as little as 30 minutes when exposed to sunlight. Plus, most chemical sunscreens don’t offer “broad-“ or “full-spectrum” protection, which is another thing to look for on the label.

SPF (Sun Protection Factor)
The SPF number tells you how much protection the sunscreen will provide from UVB (burning and tanning). For example, if your skin normally changes color after 15 minutes of exposure to the sun, SPF 15 (a good choice for daily exposure) means it will take 15 times as long with sunscreen. The problem is, the SPF is useless when it comes to UVA. That’s why you need titanium dioxide or zinc oxide listed as active ingredients—they will protect you from both.

Remember, a little sun exposure can be healthy–our bodies need it to process vitamin D. But act responsibly, choose your sunscreen wisely, and don’t expose yourself to the harsh glare of midday sun.

Read more from NATURAL BEAUTY 101:

Why Go Green
My Mission
How To Shop Green
Ingredients to avoid
Skin
Makeup
Hair
Nails
Water
Food
Household
Green Baby
Pets