Sunscreens

Hello Beautiful! With the summer here and everyone spending time outside, we need to protect ourselves from the sun’s rays, specifically the UVA and UVB rays.

The amount of UVB that reaches the earth’s surface varies with the season. A short, energetic ray, UVB does not travel great distances. It is therefore more plentiful; during the summer months when the sun is more directly overheard. It is also easily blocked by clouds, clothing and even glass. UVA, however, is a longer, leaner ray. It doggedly rains down onto the earth’s surface in both summer and winter months.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide pastes have long been known to obstruct the sun’s rays. The advantage of physical reflectors over chemical absorbers is twofold. Firstly, physical blockers reflect the sun’s rays equally and secondly, they are inert and so, unlike some chemical filters, won’t induce irritant reactions. The cosmetic catch however was that these compounds are opaque.

Sunscreens are only part of a sensible ‘safe sun’ plan. You also need to wear protective clothing such as hats and long-sleeve shirts and Seek shade between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm. If you have very fair skin, extend this period from 10 am to 4 pm.

How are you supposed to wear your sunscreen?

You need to use a minimum if a teaspoonful over your face and neck. A dessertspoonful for each arm and more than a tablespoonful for each leg. You also need to apply it soon enough. Chemical filters, particularly, need time to bind well to the skin so you should apply your cream to dry skin about 20 minutes before exposure. If you apply it to wet or sweaty skin it will rub off easily leaving you unprotected. Use water or sweat - proof formulating sunscreen if you are swimming or playing sports.

Stay Beautiful

~Jacqueline~