| It's always important to protect your skin from | | | | before going outside. If you do not see the words |
| the sun, but this is especially so during the | | | | 'titanium' or 'zinc' in a sun block's list of ingredients, |
| summer. I recommend wearing a sun protectant | | | | then it is a chemical block. While I find that the |
| factor of at least 30. I don't think that an spf 15 | | | | chemical block is a better protectant against UVB |
| is always enough for people, so I like to be safe. | | | | rays, it does not provide as much protection |
| There are two types of spf: physical and | | | | from UVA rays as a physical block. |
| chemical. A physical sun block will contain either | | | | As an esthetician, I get asked quite often why |
| zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. | | | | some mosturizers do not contain SPF. This has a |
| This is basically the white stuff you would see on | | | | simple explanation. We believe that physical sun |
| a lifeguard's nose. But now it's clear, so you could | | | | block provides much more complete protection, |
| wear it all day every day and no one would know! | | | | so this is the type of sunscreen that we |
| A physical sun block sits on the surface of the | | | | recommend. Physical sun block has to sit on the |
| skin and reflects the sun's rays. It forms a much | | | | surface of the skin to reflect the sun's rays; it |
| more complete barrier against both UVA (aging) | | | | does not penetrate. If your moisturizer didn't |
| rays and UVB (burning) rays. A physical sun block | | | | penetrate the skin, you wouldn't derive much |
| is great for people who are sun sensitive or have | | | | benefit from it! Since, according to this school of |
| an actual sun allergy. Also, with a physical sun | | | | thought, one can't combine the two in one |
| block you don't need to worry about applying one | | | | formula, you'll need to use separate SPF and |
| half hour before going outside, which I find very | | | | moisturizer. |
| handy in the summer months when all activities | | | | Using a sun screen on a daily basis is the best |
| are on the go. | | | | way to protect yourself from skin cancer, aging, |
| Now, a chemical sun block will give you serious | | | | spotting, and discolorations. If used properly, you |
| coverage. It works by actually penetrating the | | | | will look younger longer! And that, after all, is what |
| skin and causing a chemical change. You do need | | | | everyone wants. |
| to wait a half hour after applying a chemical block | | | | |