Sunscreen RatingsRating sunscreen ratings: are they using the same criteria you are? Be sure the sunscreen you use is good for you and for the environment.I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a huge fan of most sunscreens. Many of them contain synthetic chemicals that are potentially harmful to the skin and to health in general as well as to the environment. Additionally, overuse or improper use of sunscreens can contribute to a host of health challenges, primarily to do with toxic ingredients and vitamin D deficiencies. 
So how does one sort through the sunscreen ratings, sun benefits and information on a safe sunscreen? And how exactly do you conduct sunscreen ratings in light of the fact that proper sun exposure—a lifestyle practice that is vitally important for optimum wellness—includes being in the sun without sunscreen for at least part of each day?What Should Sunscreen Ratings Consider? The usual criteria often considered in sunscreen ratings is SPF or Sun Protection Factor. While this can be an important consideration in sunscreen purchase, there are several additional factors that need to be looked at including:
What Does SPF Mean? One of the primary aspects of most conventional sunscreen ratings is looking at the SPF of a product. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a measure of evaluating a product's ability to protect the skin from UVB wavelengths. Here's a little testimonial from the ONEgroup site on my favourite sunscreen: Hello, I'd like to let you know that your Reflect Outdoor Balm is simply the best sunscreen I have ever used, and I have tried them all. Due to a skin problem, I cannot tolerate conventional ones or anything coated with silicones, am also wary of Nano Particles, I had looked forever and ever for a decent one Thanks so much for your superb product, the ultra- pure ingredients, the gorgeous smell, it's such a pleasure to apply it daily and really protects as well as calms down my redness. Please, please, don't ever change the formulation or scent!! It's the single best skin care product I have ever used and I used to have such problems with my skin but this sunscreen changes it positively on so many levels and protects wonderfully! MS The SPF number indicates the length of time someone can use a particular sunscreen and be exposed to the sun without burning, relative to the length of time that person could be exposed to the sun without sunscreen before burning. What that means in real terms is that if you or your child generally burn after 15 minutes of non-sunscreened sun exposure, a sunscreen with an SPF of 10 should protect you for 150 minutes without burning. Be aware, however, that the phrase "should protect you" is an important phrase. There are several additional factors that effect true SPF measurement:
Therefore, note that while sunscreens may protect against burning, unless they contain ingredients that have been shown to be helpful in giving UVA protection—zinc oxide, titanium oxide, avobenzone and ecamsule for example—they may give little in the way of protection against UVA's more invisible damage of aging, wrinkles and potential contribution to serious forms of skin cancer. DIY Sunscreen Ratings Along with SPF, in Begin Within Natural Skincare's more comprehensive sunscreen ratings suggestions, careful evaluation of ingredients to look for in a sun screen and ingredients to avoid is an important pre-purchase consideration. Start by reading the information on Begin Within Natural Skincare's Do It Yourself Skin Care Review page, in order to best determine how to do a general skin care product review. Then take a look at the Organic Sunscreen page for ingredients-to-avoid-information that is specific to sunscreens. Next realize there are two primary types of sunscreens, mineral-based or chemical-based. Chemical-based sunscreens tend to absorb sun's ultraviolet rays whereas mineral-based sunscreens reflect and scatter rays. 
Depending upon the types of ingredients used, chemical-based sunscreens may only protect against UVB rays—the potentially burning rays, but also the rays that aid in vitamin D production, whereas zinc oxide and titanium oxide offer full spectrum UVA and UVB protection. In general, based on both the ingredients used and mechanism by which the product affords protection from the sun, the sunscreens that are most healthy for people and the earth are mineral-based sunscreens. Why You Should be Using a Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Besides the fact that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are scatterers rather than an absorbers of ultraviolet light, they also has a long history of use as a safe method of avoiding excess sun exposure. While there are some differences of opinion on whether or not titanium dioxide or zinc oxide can clog pores—and therefore potentially contribute to breakout—according to ONEgroup, the manufacturer of Reflect Outdoor Balm, one of my favorite sunscreens, their zinc oxide sunscreen protects without irritating or clogging pores. ONEgroup goes on to state that zinc oxide is a soft, heavy white mineral powder that acts as a sun block by forming a physical barrier to the sun's rays and creates a soothing, protective barrier for the skin. Zinc oxide (zincite) is a naturally occurring mineral that provides superior sun protection with broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) absorption. It is recognized as a skin soothing and healing agent and is eminently safe! If you haven't already, be sure to check out Begin Within Natural Skincare's other Sunscreen pages: Take a look at Sunscreen Facts and Best Sunscreens as well as at Organic Sunscreen Soon there will be additional Skin Problem information such as Types of Psoriasis, Rosacea, Anti-Aging Skin Care and Stretch Marks. Interested? Sign up for the RSS feed and be notified when new website content is posted. Return from Sunscreen Ratings to Sunscreen Facts |
Brenda's Top
Sunscreen Pick
Looking for sun protection that is safe for yourself, your family and the environment?
When our family wears sunscreen, we always choose Meissence's Reflect Outdoor Balm. It provides healthy protection and has no synthetic chemicals that can damage skin or the environment.
For safe and healthy sun protection buy Reflect, the sunscreen that provides a balm for both you and the outdoors!
