Sunscreen Ingredients That Provide Protection From UV Radiation

Multiple sunscreen ingredients are usually combined together in quality sunscreen products to ensure that your skin is protected to stop harmful sun rays from penetrating and causing premature aging changes and damage.

It is essential to ensure that your skin is protected ALWAYS against UVA and UVB radiation to prevent photoaging of the skin, lowering your immunity, and cancer.

Without adequate sunscreen protection, skin is left to the damaging effects of the radiation from the sun causing wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, age spots, freckles, and various skin cancers.

It is important that your sunscreen or sunblock has the necessary active ingredients to protect the skin from both of these radiations for the best possible benefit.

By avoiding a sunburn early on, you will decrease your risk of skin cancer as you age.

There are a variety of options for sunscreens, so let’s take a look at a few things to consider.

Chemical And Physical(mineral) Sunscreen Ingredients

Ingredients in sunscreen fall into two forms:

• Chemical Absorbers

This type of ingredient is absorbed by the skin that creates a chemical reaction to absorb UV rays when activated- 15-30 minutes after applying. May cause allergic skin reactions and irritation to those with sensitive skin.

• Physical "Blockers"

Physical blockers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide block or reflect UV radiation by acting as a barrier on the top of the skin. They are not absorbed. Good for those with sensitive skin.

Most sunscreens contain some mixture of absorbers and/or reflectors and are available in sprays, gels, creams, mousses, lotions, sticks, and moisturizers.

Hypo allergic, waterproof, and organic sunscreen products are also available.

To help ensure you are getting the best effective protection, look for products that include at least 3 active ingredients in the formula and be aware of expiration dates.

Take a look at this partial list of ingredients that can be found in many sunscreen lotions. Some of the ingredients designed to prevent UVB, UVA, or both include:

• Aminobenzoic acid
• Avobenzone
• Cinoxate
• Ecamsule
• Glyceryl Aminobenzoate
• Salicylates
• Homomenthyl Salicylate
• Triethanolamine
• PABA(Para Aminobenzoic Acid)
• Padimate A
• Padimate O
• Octyl Dimethyl Paba
• Octocrylene
• OMC(Octyl Methoxycinnamate)
• OCS (Octyl Salicytate)
• Zinc Oxide- UVA & UVB protection. Zinc Oxide is an all-natural, mineral that possesses anti-inflammatory and non-irritating properties. They were often disliked for being thick, chalky white formulas but have since been improved and are more sheer and lightweight. It has an extensive protection level.
• Titanium Dioxide- Natural mineral compound that provides full-spectrum protection (UVA & UVB)

Learning what sunscreen ingredients make up a sunscreen product will help you in your decision when purchasing

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