“I don’t need a sunscreen because my moisturizer or makeup has SPF in it.” Aestheticians hear this all the time from our clients. Out of all the state-of-the-art serums, creams, cleansers, and toners available, I would rather my clients incorporate a quality sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 before building their home care routine with other products. The last thing I want is to see my clients relying solely on a product that is primarily meant to be used for something other than sun protection for their sunscreen.
Products that are not meant to be sunscreens but offer additional sun protection (liquid foundation, mineral makeup, moisturizers, etc) contain ingredients that offer some sunscreen but often at such low levels that the protection provided is not adequate. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, these products should not be your first line of defense in sun protection. Instead, look for a sunscreen that contains a physical sunscreen, a chemical sunscreen, or a combination of both and use that before putting on your moisturizer, makeup or other products with additional SPF.
What’s the difference between physical and chemical sunscreens? When used properly, they both provide protection from UVA and UVB rays. Physical sunscreens are not absorbed into the skin; rather these sunscreens contain ingredients, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which create a barrier on top of the skin that reflects the sun’s rays. Physical sunscreens offer immediate protection from the sun. Chemical sunscreens, the most common being oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate, are absorbed into the skin and work by absorbing the harmful rays of the sun. In general, it takes 20 minutes for chemical sunscreens to be absorbed into the skin and become effective. Some people find that physical sunscreens are too heavy while others find that chemical sunscreens are not for them, either. The choice is up to you but it is important to consistently use a sunscreen year-round.
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The two amazing product lines that Dream Spa Medical carries contain the physical sunscreens zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The SkinCeuticals line offers a physical sunscreen that should be used after applying moisturizer. If you do not want to use two products, the Image line offers a range of sunscreens that have moisturizers in the sunscreens. One Image sunscreen, the Prevention+ Daily Ultimate Protection, combines both chemical and physical sunscreens.
Why write about sunscreens in the late fall? Just because the summer months are over, it doesn’t mean that the sun has gone away. Our faces are still exposed to the sun when we are in the car, working in our yards, going for walks, sitting by windows, and enjoying fall and winter sports. Take the time to protect yourself from the sun this winter. Your skin will thank you.