How To Choose The Best SPF (Sun Protection Factor)

You know that you should use some form of sunscreen every day, right? Even during those colder winter month, sunscreen is vital to your skin’s health. But, how do you choose from all of those SPFs on the market? Is one sunscreen better than another? How do you know which one to select? This article will help to clear up that SPF confusion.

What Is SPF?

Quite literally, SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor.” In every instance, the higher the SPF number, the more protection you will receive against the sun’s UVB rays. While this information might be old news to you, did you know that the SPF number also indicates the amount of time that you can safely stay out in the sun?

For example, if you happen to be a person with sun sensitive skin, a SPF of 15 will allow you to safely remain outside for 15 times longer than they normally would. This logic can be applied to any SPF number out there.

The Higher the Better?

So, now the question is: what number should you be looking for? Well, most skincare experts tend to recommend a SPF that’s between 15-30. Any SPF number that’s higher than 30 generally doesn’t provide much more protection.

However, if you have extremely fair skin, you may want to seek an SPF or 15-30. This tiny bit of extra SPF may protect those with fair skin better than a lower number would. Even if you have dark skin, you should still wear sunscreen. Dark skin can burn just as easily as light skin can.

Powder, Liquid, or Spray?

Is there a difference between all of the powders, liquids, and sprays on the market? Is one type of sunscreen better than another? Generally, all types of sunscreen have been designed for mass use. Thus, the most important thing is to look at that SPF number.

However, you should also read sunscreen ingredients. If you use a sunscreen that’s integrated into another product (moisturizer or foundation), be careful about the ingredients included in that product. Some of these products may actually harm your skin.

Best Sunscreens

The best way to choose a sunscreen is to select one that is made from organic ingredients. These sunscreens do not contain a large amount of toxic chemicals. Instead, they are often composed of natural ingredients.

If you happen to have sensitive skin, choose a sunscreen that won’t make your skin break out. Likewise, if you intend to swim or sweat while wearing sunscreen, make sure to select a waterproof version.

Enjoy the Sun

The sun can be a welcomed thing. Sunshine feels great on skin, it gives us a boost of Vitamin D when we need it, and it has the ability to invoke positive feelings. In short, don’t avoid the sun completely.

Still, make sure that you wear a proper SPF every single time you venture outside – no matter what the season might be. This way, you can enjoy the sun without worrying about your skin.

Badger SPF 30 Sunblock for Face and Body

This week is sunscreen week at Beauty and Fashion Tech. I recently tried three of the top sunscreens in The Sunscreen Database from the Environmental Working Group. Because I have areas of melasma and hyperpigmentation, I have taken great interest in the products that were found to be highly effective by providing full spectrum protection. Today, I cover the number two sunscreen for safety and effectiveness in the database from the Badger company.

Badger SPF 30 for Face and Body has an impressive 20.5% of Micronized Zinc Oxide for full spectrum protection. The sun is not going to cut through this stuff much, if at all! A Mixture of natural oils and other natural ingredients allow it to also be water resistant for up to 40 minutes. If you want to be in the sun with maximum full spectrum protection, this sunscreen is an excellent choice.

One of my main motivations in trying some of the products near the top of the database was whether their high levels of physical blockers would leave traces of white on the skin. I found that Badger SPF 30 initially goes on with a tint of white, but that it absorbs fairly quickly. It definitely does not show with a hint of makeup over it. I also found that its water resistance was very good. I wore the product in the pool for about 45 minutes with no issues of burning or reactivating my melasma.

I personally liked the Badger Sunblock, but there are a few things about it that should be taken into consideration if you are considering it as a sunscreen:

First, it is pretty heavy on the oils, which is part of why it is so water resistant. In fact, I could still feel the product on my face after spending time in the pool.  As a result, I found that I felt a bit too oily with it on at times if I was not using it for its water resistant properties. However, it was perfect for swimming or sweating while working in the yard and is my new first choice for those activities.  I am also guessing that when I start getting drier skin in the fall, the Badger Sunscreen will be one that I will reach for.  If you have dry skin, this sunscreen might be perfect for you. If you have oily skin, you might want to try something with less oils or use this one only when swimming or otherwise need water resistence .

Second, it is scented with a floral aroma. It smells the most like lavender to me, which is one of the ingredients. I don’t mind the scent, but if you want an unscented product, this is not for you.

Badger also makes some really neat other products. I love, love, love their lip balm! I also really like their Badger Balm. I will be reviewing those in the near future.

California Baby No Fragrance SPF 30+ Sunblock Stick

Age: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that if exposure to the sun is unavoidable and your baby is under 6 months, a non-chemical sunscreen (like ours) should be used; consult with your physician. The AAP recommends that because an infant’s skin is very thin and sensitive, infants under 6 months should be kept out of the sun.

For Use: Face (does not sting the eyes) and body. Created especially for those who cannot tolerate fragrance. May be used everyday/year-round

Scent: No fragrance or scent masking agents

SPF Protection Level: Provides high-level protection against sunburn.
Water Resistant: Retains effectiveness after 80 minutes of activity in water or perspiring.

Product description: Pop this convenient PABA free, non-chemical, fragrance-free sunblock stick into your pocket, purse or diaper bag. The whole family will love this easy-to-use stick that gives those “hot spots” a boost of extra protection. Our non-chemical sunblock stick employs a highly micronized, non-whitening titanium dioxide that scatters and reflects dangerous UV rays, offering UVA-UVB broad-spectrum protection. Non-staining formula. It glides on smoothly for easy application. May be used in combination with our SPF30+ sunscreen lotions

Dermatologists and the American Cancer Society urge the use of sunscreen everyday and year-round.

A note from Jessica, developer of California Baby®: I have found this stick to be so convenient; it’s the perfect answer if you have trouble applying a sunscreen lotion onto your child, and it takes the struggle out of touch-up applications. For excellent results, start with one of our sunscreen lotions, and then apply the stick to over-exposed or sensitive areas throughout the day. I use the stick daily on my youngest son to protect a small scar he has on his face – with one quick stroke – it’s done before the complaints can start!

For Grownups:

* Moms, our sunblock works great under make-up because it is non-greasy and creates a nice “cover-up” base under foundation or powder.
* Winter use: Since studies show that the risk of sunburn increases at higher altitudes, it’s especially important to wear sunscreen on the slopes.

Even if you stay at the same elevation all winter long, don’t let winter’s chill fool you, the sun is still strong and can do lots of damage to your skin. The gentle water resistant formula won’t drip into your eyes and sting when you sweat. Clouded vision from runny sunscreen is annoying on the beach and on the ski slopes it can be downright dangerous.

Benefits & Features:

* Contains organic and sustainably grown ingredients
* No fragrance or scent masking agents
* UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection
* Water Resistant
* Non-whitening micro-titanium dioxide
* No Octyl Methoxycinnamate
* PABA free
* Scatters and reflects UV rays
* Non-chemical sun block
* Non-invasive formula, hypoallergenic
* Non-comedogenic
* Non-staining formula

Tip:

* Wearing a hat and sunglasses are also important.

Solar Rx Sunblock SPF 30+ by Keys

Now contains 18.5% zinc oxide (previous formula contained 15.5% zinc). Broad Spectrum UVB, UVA,& UVC Chemical-Free Protection – Ranked the #1 Cosmetic/UVA protecting sunblock by Consumer Reports Magazine!

Solar Rx is an everyday moisturizing cosmetic sunblock for the face, neck and hands. Solar Rx is not designed to be used for going to the beach, sun bathing, sports or water activities. The moisturizing properties and cosmetically clear sunblock make it ideal for everyday use as a foundation for makeup or alone. Solar Rx was designed to offer the maximum physical protection from UVA and SPF 30 for UVB burning rays without using a chemical sunscreen. As a cosmetic UV protection, it goes on clear with no heavy oily feeling or white cast. Solar Rx can be applied once a day for under makeup with minimal direct sun exposure. For direct sun exposure, we recommend reapplying at least every two hours on the face neck and hands. Tropical and high intensity sun conditions require even more frequent application. UV index ratings of 8 and above for average skin can require application as much as every 15 minutes as tested using a UV meter. This is not a product for sun bathing, extreme hot weather sports or swimming.

Keys Solar Rx is featured on the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Report as the safest sunscreen on the market. Keys Solar Rx was featured as the most effective non-waterproof category sunblock for UVA and UVB in the Consumer Reports July 2007 issue. It is rare to find a product that is both safe to use and effective.

Keys Solar Rx carries a UVB (UV Burning) rating of SPF 30+ and a UVA (UV Aging) of four stars using the EU rating system. It is important to note that 90% of all visible skin aging comes from UVA. Be very careful of sunscreens with high SPF numbers that do not rate their UVA protection. High SPF rated chemical sunscreens will prevent burning, but often do little to provide UVA protection.

Solar Rx is both moisturizer and sunblock. It combines the healing soothing properties of our Luminos Moisturizer and adds a 18.5% concentration of uncoated nano-zinc oxide to provide a physical UVA and UVB blocking to protect against UV triggered Melanoma and Skin Cancer. Our nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) is uncoated to provide healing therapies associated with zinc oxide. The uncoated zinc has also proven to be anti-bacterial and antimicrobial and can reduce redness, rosacea, age spots and melasma. Solar Rx carries a EWG Skin Deep Rating of 0 (0 to 10 scale where 0 is best).

”As a Melanoma survivor, I developed Solar Rx to protect people with sensitive skin from UVA and UVB radiation. We use no chemical sunscreens, only pure uncoated zinc oxide in a natural lotion base. Solar Rx is for those who want to avoid the extreme aging effects of UVA and UVB on a daily basis.” Wendy Steele, Keys CEO and Founder

Contains: 18.5% nano zinc-oxide (uncoated), 10% shea butter, avocado oil, carrot seed oil, black cumin oil, essential oil blend, purified water, vegetable glycerin, USP kosher vegetable wax (from palm), rosemary extract. Organic content > 80%. Note: Keep at cool or room temperatures, product may separate if overheated.

Available in 2 Sizes: 100 ml (3.4 oz) Airless Pump & 0.5 oz (15ml) sample size ($4.49)
*Scented with a Light solvent-free Grapefruit & Orange Essential Oil Blend*Safe for Vegans*
ULTRA SHEER – NO WHITE-TINT * NO TITANIUM DIOXIDE *

Protection Daily from Sun Exposure for Healthy and Safe Skin

Some experts claim over half of sun damage occurs during our every day activities – walking to the car, going in and out of buildings, walking along the street shopping, and so on – not while we’re sunbathing. Unfortunately, this means we should to wear sunscreen just about every time we leave the house. Most sunscreens are fairly toxic and organic sun care is blooming. More products are becoming available that are organic, natural and eliminate harmful toxins. This is great news for all of us especially our younger ones and babies.

Remeber organic sunblock is only one step you can take to protect yourself from the sun. Covering up can be just as important as the type of skin care or sun care product you use. The clothes we would prefer on a warm summer day – lightweight, light-colored clothing made with loosely-woven fabric – do not offer much protection. That’s why kids who swim with T-shirts over their bathing suit still get burned.

To completely block UV rays you need clothing with a ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of about 1700. A white T-shirt has a UPF of seven. The same T-shirt in green has a UPF of 10. A dark, thick fabric like velvet comes in at about 50. To reach 1700 you’d need a long-sleeved dark denim shirt. Not exactly anyone’s idea of fun in the sun.

The long and short of it is that while we may be willing and able to cover up with high UPF clothing in some circumstances, there’s no way that’s going to fly at the beach. So, you’re going to have to resort to sunscreen, and, to be safe, you’re going to need a skin care product that protects you from the sunscreen’s dangerous chemical ingredients.

How do you do that? Your first line of defense is natural sunscreen – check your local health food store. However, not all these products are completely toxic free so you’ll still some additional protection. Your best bet for that is a shielding lotion: A good shielding lotion bonds with the outer layer of the skin to form a new protective layer that keeps out chemicals. It also locks in natural moisture – another thing you have to be concerned with when you’re out in the sun: sunburn equals dehydration.

Summer sun care can be complex but remeber its sunlight is good. Try to use organic sunscreen, appropriate clothing, and a natural after sun lotion. These natural skin care products can help you enjoy your summer without concern for your health.

Immediate Pigment Darkening (IPD)

Star rating system

In the UK and Ireland, the Boots star rating system is a proprietary in vitro method used to describe the ratio of UVA to UVB protection offered by sunscreen creams and sprays. Based on original work by Prof. Brian Diffey at Newcastle University, the Boots Company in Nottingham, UK, developed a standard method which has been adopted by most companies marketing these products in the UK. The logo and methodology of the test are licensed for a token fee to any manufacturer or brand of sunscreens that wishes to use it, provided the products to which the logo is applied perform to the standard claimed. It should not be confused with SPF, which is measured with reference to burning and UVB.

One-star products provide the least ratio of UVA protection; five-star products are best. The method has recently been revised in the light of the Colipa UVA PF test, and with the new EU recommendations regarding UVA PF. The method still uses a spectrophotometer to measure absorption of UVA vs UVB; the difference stems from a requirement to pre-irradiate samples (where this was not previously required) to give a better indication of UVA protection, and of photo stability when the product is used. With the current methodology, the lowest rating is three stars, the highest being five stars.

In August 2007, the FDA put out for consultation the proposal that a version of this protocol be used to inform users of American product of the protection that it gives against UVA.