SPF....Is it more harm than good or should we keep applying it?

That's the big debate these days, wouldn't you say? Is sunblock actually causing more cancers than it's preventing? Is it really necessary to apply daily?

Im sure you'll hear a lot of different opinions on this, as I know I have. I've read quite a few articles on the topic and have talked to a couple different dermatologist, all of whom had different opinions. So I decided I should make a blog post incase you were wondering my stance on the topic as your esthetician.

In short, yes you should be wearing sunblock. However, I don't feel the need to apply it the second I wake up and reapply throughout the day until I go to bed. I think everything in life needs a little balance, wouldn't you say? A little ying and yang is never a bad thing. I think that helps keep everything in harmony. Well the sun is no different.

The sun is a glorious thing that gives us warmth and power to our solar panels, brings nutrients to our gardens and is essential for our bodies to naturally produce vitamin D. I once read they used to take patients up the the hospital roofs to get fresh air and sunshine to help them feel better (like, a long time ago). But obviously that means someone has always know how healing the sun can be. I mean shoot, I like to think whith the sun shining it generally just makes everyone a little happier. Think about that first warm spring day after winter or even just after a rainy week in the summer. Now doesn't that put a smile on your face?

However, we all know it can wreak havoc just as easily. It can cause third degree burns on our skin; five or more blistering sunburns between the ages of 15-20 increases melanoma risk by 80%, but even one will increase your risk. The sun can damage power grids during a solar storm, cause drought and destroy crops and even cause death from heat strokes. So my point is, the sun if definitely one of those things where balance is needed.

What I recommend to my clients and the rules I follow myself are this...

Go out in the morning and get some sunshine on your bare skin. Take a walk or just sit on your back deck and soak up some rays. This is truly so good for you. Im going to break out my science nerd for a minute and explain how. Our skin contains a molucule that absorbs the UVB rays and is converted into previtamin D3 and then that turns into vitamin D3. That process can't happen if we are covered in sunblock. Another great time to go get some rays is after 4pm. So when you get home from work this summer maybe you should try to enjoy an early evening stoll. Make sure to wash your face and remove any spf from the day so you get the benefits!

Now on the flip side of that, if you are out in the sun at prime time you most definately need some protection. The sun starts getting stronger after 10am until about 4pm so if you are outside without shade and or protective clothes I'd recommend wearing sunblock. We don't want that third degree burn! But really even a single blister from a sunburn isnt good, We also don't want to age our skin any more quickly than it does naturally. Evey time your skin gets burned from the skin it's causing cellular damage, which shows up as extrensic aging. Extrensic aging shows up as premature lines and wrinkles and rough texture. Not to mention its pretty miserable when you get sunburned!

So on to the sunblock topic. As with anything there are good and bad and then we just make the best choices we can with what we have. There are two types of sunblocks. one is a chemical sunblock, the other is a physical sunblock. Lets start with chemical sunblocks.

Chemical sunblocks allow the UVA/B rays to be absorbs by the skin but is basically sitting in the top layer of skin to block the rays from penatrating any deeper. Common ingredients you'll see are Avobenzone, Oxybenzone, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Homosalate, ect.

In my opinion this isnt the best choice and if you are trying to be SUPER clean with what you are putting on your skin I wouldn't go this route.

These do tend to be a little cheaper because the ingredients are cheaper than a physical sunblock. However you do get what you pay for. The cheaper chemical sunblocks have more fillers and really nothing thats benefiting your skin. there are other brands that may be a chemical sunblock but they are a better option because they are limiting which chemicals they use and adding beneficial ingredients for the skin. There are a few out there but my fave is Super Goop Play. When Im going to be outside in the prime time, when the sun is the most dangerous and I need to protect more than just my face that's what I use. It's their everyday lotion that feels super light weight but does a great job at protecting you from a sunburn.

On to physical sunblock. These sunblocks contain ingredients that sit on the surface of your skin, prevents the UVA/B rays from ever entering your skin. Those ingredients are primarily zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These two minerals can reflect, scatter and also absorb the UV radiation, thus preventing your skin from absorbing any.

The only downside to these types of sunblock is that they are thicker, not as easy to spread and some leave a white cast; although there are more and more brands that are getting much better and are improving every year.

They also have physical sunblocks using those same minerals but crushed into a powder form. Those are my favorite for my face. Specially, I love ColorScience Sunforgettables, but Super Goop has a pretty good one as well. I will say its not as "water proof" or "water resistant" as Sunforgettables which is why that one is my favorite and the one I keep in my bag at all times. I am an equal oppertunist though, my daughter keeps the Super Goop version in her softball bag for her face and scalp and it works great for her ~when she re applies ; )

Now, I prefer a physical sunblock for my face because I will wear this everyday regardless if Im inside or out. After catching some of those morning rays while I check on my garden of course! The reason I want to protect my face everyday is because you can get cellular damage from not just the sun but also from blue lights from our screens and radiation from microwaves, which any type of sunblock can protect against. Some physical sunblocks can even protects your skin against environmental pollutants. Another good physcical sunblock in lotion form is BlackGirl Suncreen. I get the kid version

To sum up this post, I think sunblock is a must if you're going to be outside during the "danger zone". Physical is better, but we make do with what we have. Any version is better than a blistering sunburn. And I recommend a physical SPF daily for your face for the anti-aging component. My faves are Bare Essential Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer with mineral spf, ColorScience Sunforgetables and Super Goop Setting Face Powder and Super Goop Play for your body!