Beauty Myth of the Day

Scandle Candle's beauty myth countdown.

Myth #5:

The higher the SPF (skin protection factor) rating, the higher the rate of protection.

Truth:

SPF ratings, soon to be revised by the FDA, only provide protection from UVB rays. Our skin needs sun protection that has chemical and physical blockers, plus antioxidants. Below are some of the requirements and ingredients you should make sure your sunscreen contains:

• Select a broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB
• Choose a sunscreen that includes a good level (around 4% to 5% or more) of zinc oxide (also called micronized zinc), or titanium dioxide, or Parsol 1789 (also called avobenzone) among the list of active ingredients
• Choose a sunscreen with a SPF 30 rating or higher – this is the minimum level now recommended by most dermatologists across America. (But do not base your sunscreen only on SPF ratings, if they do not meat the other requirements, they provide a false sense of security)
• Determine the activity you will be doing for the day and apply a product that will meet the task. (Water activities mean you should use a waterproof sunscreen; sports use a sweat resistant sunscreen)
• Always choose a sunscreen that feels good on your skin – so you will be comfortable wearing it every day.

Sunscreen needs to be reapplies every 90-120 minutes when outdoors or in the water, even if you have a specific sunscreen designed for it.

Enjoy your summer fun now but protect your skin for the future.