Oops sorry, I was just channeling my inner Olivia Newton-John....
Just wanted to share some facts I recently learned about chemical vs. physical sunscreens.
Summer is almost upon us and if you don't have your sunscreen arsenal stocked up, I want you to put that on your to-do list right now k?
Most popular sunscreens on the market nowadays have a cocktail of chemical ingredients in them.
**Here are just a few and what they do for your health:
Octinoxate (octyl methoxycinnamate) - an estrogenic chemical that has been linked to hormonal imbalance and increased rates of cancer.
Oxybenzone (a derivative of benzophenone) - a chemical that may cause hormone disruption. In Europe, products with 0.5% or more of this chemical must have the warning label "Contains oxybenzone."
Avobenzone- a free radical-generator that absorbs UV radiation energy and, since it cannot destroy it, converts the light energy to chemical energy, which is typically released as free radicals in the body.
Physical vs. Chemical
There is a TON of info out there about these two different types of sun protection. Google it. You'll get all kinds of research and statistics.
Here is the main difference as I see it:
Besides the effects of the previously mentioned ingredients, chemical formulas are typically cheaper and easier to produce. Research shows however, that they do not protect against UVA rays. UVA penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin and pose a huge threat for skin damage and skin cancer.
Physical blockers offer more protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
The two most common ingredients in physical blockers are:
Titanium Dioxide - derived from titanium and is a highly reflective chalky mineral. It's non-irritating, non allergenic and noncomedogenic, (which means it doesn't cause or aggravate acne)
Zinc Oxide - an inorganic compound and an essential mineral for the body. It plays an important role in cell production, promotes healthy skin and hair, boosts the immune system and provides broad-spectrum protection, which helps reduce UVA-induced free radical production. Zinc Oxide is not absorbed by the skin, it sits on the skin's surface blocking both UVA and UVB rays.
So PLEASE check your ingredients when you're out shopping for sunscreen. Look for the mineral formula's that contain Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide.
You could also look up your favorite sunscreen in the EWG's Skindeep database for information on how safe your favorite brands really are. http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
Don't forget also that a big floppy hat and an umbrella provide even more sun protection....or a nice shade tree and some lemonade.....
Happy Summer!!!!
**Sources for ingredients: Skin Inc. Magazine May 2012
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