In a recent article featured on STABmag.com, Dr. Claudia Aguirre weighs in on 'how to save your skin' and what sunscreens tick all boxes. SHADE makes the cut for its superior sun beating formula and nice-to-your-skin qualities such as 80 minutes water resistance, fragrance-free, alcohol-free and mineral-oil free.
When it comes to sunscreen formulation there is no perfect product.What we do know is that using sunscreen is a proven and effective way to minimise solar damage in the form of cancer and premature skin ageing. SPF or Sun Protection Factor is a term solely used to determine how well a solar filter protects human skin from turning red, or burning. UV rays come in a variety of strengths: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer. UVB penetrates down into our outer skin layer (epidermis) and causes the redness of a sunburn while UVA penetrates even deeper into our skin and causes cellular and DNA damage. A product that only has “SPF” only protects us from UVB. Only a product labeled “broad spectrum” will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Unfortunately for us, most of the sunscreens only cover UVB rays.
Sunscreen Misconceptions:
Suncreens cause cancer: Nope. There has never been a reported case of an approved sunscreen leading to skin (or any other type) of cancer on a person using it as it is intended.
Oxybenzone is dangerous: Approved by the FDA in 1978. No data showing any form of health problems in humans.
So is retinal palmitate: No study shows that it increases the risk of skin cancer in humans. Retinal palmitate is a form of vitamin A that is found naturally in the skin.
SPF 100 is the best: Nope. Anything over SPF30 and definitely over SPF50 is negligent.
Waterproof sunscreen: There’s actually no such thing as waterproof sunscreen. Sweat and water wash sunscreen from our skin. But there is water-resistant sunscreen.
What is water-resistant sunscreen? Sunscreen that stays effective for 40 minutes in the water. ‘Very water-resistant’ lasts for 80 (that’s more like it).
Dr Claudia’s Recommendations:
Shade SPF 30+ Opaque: Micronised Zinc Oxide 12%, Micronised Titanium Dioxide 8%. I’m a fan of micronised minerals – these give you the best option for sensitive skin (mineral-only sunscreens) while avoiding the opaqueness of a regular zinc stick. They also make for elegant formulas. Water resistant to 80 minutes. It’s fragrance-free, alcohol-free and mineral-oil free so this will be nice to your skin.
