By Bryan Bradford, Chief Nutrition Officer of Sunflower Shoppe Natural Foods

June 3rd, 2016

What you need to know to protect you and your family from the Texas summer sun

With the wide range of sunscreens on the market, Sunflower Shoppe has done the research to help you choose the most comprehensive, quality sunscreen to protect your skin. Here are some buzzwords and what they really mean:

Broad Spectrum –  When a product is labeled “broad spectrum,” it must contain protection from both the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Here is why that is important:

UVB – remember the “B”  (for burn). These rays are responsible for the burning of the skin as well as the main cause of skin cancer.

UVA – remember the “A” (for aging). The UVA rays penetrate deeper and cause free radicals that contribute to cancer and wrinkling. These rays are not blocked by windows or clouds; we are continually exposed to them.

SPF – Sun Protection Factor. Some people believe that the higher the SPF, the better the product, or that they can bask in the sun longer without having to re-apply.

The truth is:

SPF 15 prevents 93% of the sun’s harmful rays to damage the skin

SPF 30 prevents 97%

SPF 50 prevents 98%

98% is about the best protection available. The increase in coverage is negligible after 50.

All sunscreen products should be re-applied after 2 hours, and most people do not use enough to cover the body effectively. The Higher SPF number won’t improve these odds either.

Chemical vs. Physical Mineral –

Chemical sunscreen is designed to soak into the skin. It requires you wait about 15 to 20 minutes to absorb before exposure to sun. It works by creating a chemical reaction and alters the reaction of UV rays to heat and then releases the heat from the skin.

Mineral sunscreen sits on top of the skin and requires no wait time before exposure to sun. It works by reflecting the sun’s rays and scattering them from the skin. Best choice we prefer: non-nano zinc oxide.

Vitamin A (Retinol) – while Vitamin A (Retinol) can offer many benefits for the skin, it is considered dangerous to have it as an ingredient in sunscreen. It can play a part in accelerating the growth of cancerous tumors, when used on skin exposed to sunlight.

http://www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen/report/the-problem-with-vitamin-a/

For more information about sunscreen safety and ingredients – come see us at the Shoppe!

The content and opinions expressed in this “Shoppe Talk” blog are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any illness or to provide medical advice. We are not medical doctors and we do not prescribe medication. If you have any questions about the relationship between nutrition and supplements, we recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified and licensed health practitioner. Our opinions are based on the literature and data from a variety of medical doctors, chiropractors, naturopathic physicians, biochemists and other professional researchers. You are encouraged to make your health care decisions based on your own research and the advice of a qualified health care professional.

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