Summer Sunscreen Secrets

Being a risk taker can have its thrills and benefits in certain situations, but definitely not when it comes to sun safety. This is particularly true in Florida, where the strong sun constantly places you at risk of sustaining UV damage to your skin. In addition to unsightly sun spots and painful sunburn, prolonged exposure to UV rays also increases your likelihood of having skin cancer down the road. By following these simple sunscreen secrets, you can ensure that you can soak in the rays this summer without any negative consequences.

Not All Sunscreens Are Created Equal

Just like makeup and running shoes, not all products are created with high quality standards. That $2.00 bottle of sunscreen from the dollar store is just about guaranteed to work less effectively than a more costly and reputable brand. In fact, the nonprofit research organization The Environmental Working Group recently reviewed 1,400 sunscreens and found that only 8 percent delivered on promised to prevent skin cancer and signs of aging. This means that you need to choose your sunscreen wisely.

Choose Based on Ingredients

Certain sunscreen ingredients have recently sparked controversy due to research that indicates that may have dangerous effects on the body. Vitamin A, oxybenzone, and octinoxate are three such ingredients that you want to avoid. Vitamin A may be an important part of your multi vitamin, but when it lurks as retinyl palmitate in your sunscreen, it may accelerate the development of skin cancer tumors and lesions. Oxybenzone and octinoxate, meanwhile, are “block chemicals” that were found to disrupt hormones in lab animals. It’s best to select sunscreens made with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, since they are not absorbed into the bloodstream, are not linked to negative health effects, and still provide important UV protection.

There are plenty of threats to your skin, but harsh UV rays shouldn’t add to that list. With the right sunscreen and careful, repeated applications, you can ensure that UV rays stay far away from your skin.