Physical sunscreens coat your skin with minerals like zinc oxide to reflect (not absorb ) all UV wavelenths. Physical sunscreens are more gentle. The natural ones go on pasty.
Sunscreens are an important part of the fight to keep your skin beautiful and healthy. Sunscreens are designed to either absorb or reflect the both types of the sun’s ultra-violet rays. UVB rays cause reddening and sunburn, while UVB rays, even at low levels, breaks down collagen, which keeps skin looking plump.
What Are UV Rays?
The sunlight that reaches us is made up of two types of harmful rays: long wave ultraviolet A (UVA) and short wave ultraviolet B (UVB). UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis, the skin’s thickest layer.
Unprotected exposure can lead to premature skin aging and wrinkling (photoaging), and suppression of the immune system. UVB rays will usually burn the superficial layers of your skin. It plays a key role in the development of skin cancer. The intensity of UVB rays vary by season, location and time of day, with 10AM to 4PM being the peak hours. Sunburned skin doesn’t just feel awful, it can cause permanent damage over time.
The SPF Scoop
SPF stands for sun protection factor. Sunscreens are classified by an SPF number which refers to their ability to deflect UVB rays. The SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to burn sunscreen-protected skin vs. unprotected skin.
Use a broad spectrum SPF of 15 or higher to protect not only against sunburn, but reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging caused by the sun.
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