Sunscreen.
This isn’t anything new or earth-shattering… but I cannot, for the life of me, keep it straight.
I figure that there might be other people like me, who for some reason can’t manage to retain this information. Every year, I ask myself these same questions:
What does SPF stand for…? (And what do the different numbers mean?)
What’s the difference between UVA and UVB rays…?
I know there is an ingredient I am supposed to want in my sunscreen… what is it again?
There’s a ton of information out there, but I need to just keep it simple. In a nutshell:
What does SPF stand for?
It’s pretty straight forward: Sun Protection Factor. (So easy! Why can’t I remember that?!)
What does that SPF number mean to me?
Basically, it determines how long can you stay in the sun before you need to reapply sunscreen.
You take the number of minutes it takes for you to get a sunburn and multiply it by the SPF number you want to use. For example, if you’re fair skinned and you will burn after just 10 minutes of exposure to the sun, then an SPF 15 sunscreen would protect you for about 150 minutes. (10 min x 15 SPF = 150 minutes of sun time.)
Um, I don’t know how long it takes me to burn, and you know what…? I don’t plan to test it and find out.
I am going to err on the side of caution and use a higher SPF or not stay in the sun that long.
You know what else? When they determine the SPF numbers (they being the scientists and product developers, etc) it is tested without factoring in things that might affect the potency, like water, sweat, wind, or even “human error” where people don’t apply enough, or apply it improperly.
It’s recommended that you use about an ounce of sunblock (enough to fill a shot glass or the palm of your hand) and that you apply it about 30 minutes before going out into the sun. Oh… and shake well first. (I never do that…. oops.)
Make sure you get it everywhere. Back of your neck, your ears, the tops of your feet if you’re wearing sandals and you should probably wear a hat if you’ve got thinner hair. (I do not have an issue here.)
What’s the difference between UVA and UVB rays?
(And isn’t one of them worse than the other?)
Nope, they’re both pretty bad.
UVA Rays
These are the ones that make you ugly. I remember it by UV-Age
These cause long term skin damage. They penetrate clouds and glass. These are the ultra violet rays that fade your carpet, furniture and curtains if they are by a window… Imagine them doing the same thing to your skin.
People used to think these rays were safe, (or at least not so bad.) and these are what are used in tanning beds, etc. Turns out, they penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and contribute to (or even trigger) the growth of skin cancer cells in the basal layer of your skin. Boy were we stupid.
I always wear make-up with at least an SPF of 15 and have been using an SPF 30 moisturizer for the past several years. Even so, check this out. Here is a great example of how the UVA rays can even penetrate glass.
Keepin’ it real here:
No make-up, harsh lighting. For a 45 year old broad, the wrinkles and crows feet aren’t too bad, but those little brown spots….? That’s all sun damage. (Keep the comments about my over-grown eyebrows to a minimum, m-kay?)
Add up all of the UVA exposure, even through clouds and glass (especially in the car), and you are “out in the sun” way more than you think.
UVB Rays
Cause sunburn and skin cancer. I remember it by UV-Burn.
These are the rays that target the outer layers of your skin. The damage they cause can hurt you immediately, either from sunburn or skin cancer. Does it contribute to the aging of your skin? Of course, that too.
What kind of sunscreen should I get?
You want one that is a broad spectrum with an SPF of at least 30 and is water resistant.
“Broad spectrum” sunscreen means it has a physical sunblock as well as a chemical sunblock and protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
The physical sunblock reflects/scatters UVA radiation, and the chemical sunblocks absorb both the UVA and UVB radiation before it gets to your skin. Make sure that your sunscreen has at least one of these ingredients: Zinc oxide, Avobenzone or Titanium dioxide. I remember them by thinking ZAT. (Sort of like zit, in that it’s related to the skin…. oh shush. It works for me.)
for my everyday facial moisturizer. I slather it on my face, neck, decollete and ears each day. (Olay is not compensating me, I just am telling you what my doctor said, and it appears to be working pretty well for me…)So! At the end of all of this, what am I going to do? I’m going to slather myself with at least an SPF 30 sunscreen, even if it is cloudy outside and I am going to do whatever I can to take care of my skin…. not just to avoid skin cancer (even though that’s important) but for vanity’s sake.
Otherwise, you’re this.
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I don’t want to look like that.
How about you…? What precautions so you take to save your skin?
Viv, this is a wonderful post.
No, you’re not alone. It’s hard to keep all the info about sunscreen straight in your head. Thank you for recapping it all so succinctly.
Of course, I’m a redhead with three red-headed children, so sun protection is a bigger deal for us than for most people. My tips:
–If you’re fair-skinned, use a sunscreen with micronized zinc oxide in it on your face (such as Olay Complete). Yes, it’s very white, but once it absorbs it disappears. And it provides both a chemical and a physical barrier to the sun. (Remember how lifeguards used to smear zinc oxide across their noses and cheeks?)
–Don’t depend on sunscreens alone if you’re out in the sun for a long time. For the pool or beach, I always got my boys sun-blocking shirts to wear–fitted ones that don’t get in the way of their activities work best. Only once did I buy shirts that were specifically marketed for this purpose–I found that UnderArmour shirts (and UnderArmour knock-offs) worked just as well.
I think I’m going to have nightmares from that last picture…eeeekkkk! Thanks for all of the information. It is such an important thing to have around to protect ourselves. Nice eyebrows 🙂
I was one of those teenagers in the 80’s slathering on Hawaiian Tropics OIL with no SPF—–WHY didn’t my mother tell me about sun damage???
Now I know better and so do my daughters so far us it’s all about :
Sunscreen
Hats
Sunglasses
Enjoying early morning and late after-noon activities instead of the mid-day sun.
I can”t tell you how many times I have been to the park and end up giving away tubes of sunscreen to mom’s who didn’t “lather” up the kids.
Great post!
Consumer Reports named three of its highest-rated sunscreens as “Best Buys,” while four other top-scoring products were “Recommended.”
Best Buys
No-Ad lotion with aloe &vitamin E, SPF 45, $.59/ounce
Walgreens continuous spray sport, SPF 50, $1.30/ounce
Coppertone oil-free foaming spray, SPF 75+, $1.67/ounce
Recommended
All Terrain Aqua Sport lotion, SPF 30, $4/ounce
Banana Boat clear ultra-mist sports performance active dry protect spray, SPF 30, $1.63/ounce
Coppertone sport high performance ultra sweat-proof spray, SPF 30, $1.67/ounce
Eco all natural sunscreen body lotion, SPF 30, $4.72/ounce
Two sunscreens flunked the “broad spectrum” test:
Alba Botanical natural very emollient sunblock sport, SPF 45
Banana Boat Kids tear-free, sting-free, SPF 50+
No matter which product you put on, Consumer Reports offered these tips to help stay safe in the sun:
Choose a waterproof sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30. Above 30 provided little extra protection.
Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of sunscreen; reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
Wear a hat and protective clothing in addition to using sunscreen.
The FDA is looking into possible risks of inhaling spray sunscreens. Consumer Reports recommends avoiding using sprays on kids. If used, spray on hands first before applying to the face.
The group also recommends that pregnant women may want to avoid products with retinyl palmitate.
Read labels and ingredients carefully. New FDA requirements for sunscreens and other cosmetic products containing an SPF value will soon make it easier for consumers to understand the labels and what claims, such as “broad spectrum” or “water-resistance,” really mean.
What a FABULOUS idea for a post, Viv! Heck no….you are not the only one that gets confused by sunscreens! Looks like you sure did your homework now though, Girl! You’re like…an expert. Between your post and your informative friends’ comments, there is a wealth of info here! I am so passing this on!
Call me crazy, but there is always an ongoing battle in my head. Along with all of the worries that come with *not* using sunscreen, I worry about the cancers that could be caused from *using* it, and all of those chemicals being absorbed into our system through our skin, if we’re slathering it all over, all of the time. That can’t be good either. But at least we’ll look young, if we die early of another form of cancer? Really…not making light of this. I’m just saying…the concerns are rampant, and I always wonder if one prevention is cause for something else. Anyone else?…Or am I the only one who gets thinking like this?
Can anyone recommend one that doesn’t make the eyes sting? Some of these sunscreens make me cry! (even the fancy ‘just for the face’ ones.
Great post! We have SUPER fair skin here and I burn really easily. I’m all about the high spf broad spectrum when going out in the sun for a long time!
LOL! And, I LOVE that you included a picture of the “tanning lady” at the end! Hilarious! 🙂
Good thing we don’t get a huge amount of sun I guess because I always forget the sunscreen!
And I thought those spots were freckles…dang it!
From May to October, we’re outside a LOT! When we’re going to be outside for an extended period, we swear by Coppertone Sensitive Skin SPF 50 lotion sunscreen. It has chemical broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and zinc oxide for a physical barrier too. And it never irritates or burns, even around the eyes.
And for everyday use, my wife uses Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch sunblock SPF 45 for her (and our son’s) arms & neck.
Viv,
Your old Olympia roomie here. I love reading your blog through your facebook link. Just wanted to respond to Laura’s inquiry about the chemicals in sunscreen. I’ve been trying to go as chemical-free is possible with all my skin-care products and I found the Environmental Working Group’s database, Skin Deep, to be very helpful in picking shampoos, cosmetics, sunscreen, etc. They have an entire section, rating suncreens here: http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/
Thank u 4 this post i never knew what the numbers meant! STOP IT you look great for 45!!! Had you not said you age I would have never known!!
Any suggestions on what to use on your face that doesn’t look oily and doesn’t sting the eyes?
Baby: I like Olay Complete Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 30.
Your skin looks pretty darned good for a 45 yr. old. Good to know about the olay moisturizer.
I was a sun worshiper for years, Tucson, San Diego, MT, KY, not so much here in CO.
The damage I had done has caught up to me with gross looking marks on my arms that I was told are precancerous. I had that buildup on my ears,( looked like the elephant man, ugh)had it burned off several times. I have some spots on my nose that are worrisome and alot of the brown sun spots on my cheeks. So anybody reading this needs to use good sun screen.
I didn’t have signs of the damage til I got in my late 60’s and all of a sudden it caught up to me. I have a spot on my lower lip that has to be checked often. Need to wear good protection constantly on your lips, especially the bottom one that gets the sun more. I have a friend that lost part of her upper lip due to sun damage. It’s nothing to mess with due to the weakened atmosphere.