Summer SPF
Licensed Esthetician of 17 years.
Owner of The Retreat Skin Studio Est. 2013. Curator of a sophisticated science-based cleaner beauty skincare line, Skin Assessed!
Beth Stoddard, RN
It is going to be 86 today in the middle of MAY! We may be in for a long hot season!
With baseball, swim lessons, lake days, gardening, and landscaping already starting I wanted to talk about the importance of sun protection.
So much talk going around that sunscreen causes CANCER or that the sun is good for you-I’ll talk on that below. Let me first state that I used to be an avid tanning bed abuser circa 1998-2005(yes, I am talking 1900s) so this is not about judgement, but safety for you and your kids.
After Esthetic school in 2006, I stopped for good. Plus, after working as an RN in MOHs (Mohs surgery is a precise, outpatient procedure to remove high-risk skin cancer while preserving healthy tissue. The process of microscopic examination and layer-by-layer excision allows for complete tumor removal and high cure rates.) and Melanoma excisions……I have almost 10 years of first hand proof and histology to back what excessive UV exposure will do.
Outside of skin cancer or systemic Melanoma, Did you know that sun (UV exposure) is attributed to 80% of visible aging of the skin!? That’s right, pigmentation(sun spots), wrinkles, dehydration, and rough texture are directly related to sun exposure. HOWEVER, we do need some sun for Vit D, some expert bodies and vitamin D researchers suggest, for example, that approximately 5–30 minutes of sun exposure, particularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., either daily or at least twice a week to the face, arms, hands, and legs without sunscreen usually leads to sufficient vitamin D synthesis.
So here is the deal sun protection outside of needed allowance of Vit D needs to be done safely to avoid excess UV radiation which is a carcinogen, and UV exposure is the most preventable cause of skin cancer. Beth but, SUNSCREEN causes cancer. WELL, some are truly chemical sh*T storms loaded with chemicals I agree. Those chemicals can do harm. So, be smart about selection of studied ingredients. I don’t advise breathing in aerosalized sprays either. If you use an aerosol first spray it into your hand and then pat on your face and neck pretty simple. I only utilize science-based scholarly reviewed and published articles; to back science, drug safety, claims, and efficacy.
These check the boxes:
*Zinc or Titanium actives per the FDA safety data, these are also mineral based and PHYSICALLY block the sun vs. absorbing like chemical-based ones.
*Minimum rating of SPF 15 to not exceed SPF 60+, stating UVA and UVB broad spectrum. SPF 30 covers 97% of UV rays and SPF 50 one percent higher coverage.
*Fact: There's no such thing as waterproof sunscreen.Water resistance claims, for 40 or 80 minutes, tell you how much time you can expect to get the labeled SPF-level of protection while moving in and out of the water. Manufacturers may not make claims that their sunscreens are “waterproof” or “sweat-proof.”
*Properly applied, that is 2 finger lengths for the face and ears. Use the same approximate body surface area and amount to cover each part exposed on the body.
*Reapplication is minimum 80 minutes when in water to not exceed 2 hours.
I will link my faves below! These contain affiliate links and I am compensated on the sales of these.
You know that I am going to recommend ACNE SAFE CLEAN formulas too!! Click on the pictures below to shop and learn.
We have more options in the studio for tinted face spfs from Sorella, Skin Assessed, and Alleyoop!
As always, please reachout of comment with questions or needed suggestions!!! Have a sun safe and fantastic summer. I will share Vit C and antioxidant boosting products next up to increase the efficacy of your SPF!
