subject: UV natural sunscreen makes a lot of sense against UVA and UVB radiation [print this page] UV natural sunscreen makes a lot of sense against UVA and UVB radiation
Summer is upon us and all of us head for that sporting action we were waiting for or for the sea side which beckons us during the sunny days, where surfing, swimming, beach side games and simply lazing around in the sand would be the order of your holidays. Sun is a very good thing, but the UVB and UVA radiations that come out with it are not so healthy for any of us humans. They are potent enough in creating skin rashes, wrinkling, unhealthy skin ailments and what not, hence the necessity to have UVA UVB protection for your skin.
First is the need to understand what are Sunblocks and sunscreens and are they the same? Though the application of sunblocks and sunscreens are done by most of us, their functions are not necessarily the same or interchangeable. Sun blocks offer UVB protection and this is done by reflecting or scattering the suns rays especially the UVB rays that are shorter. They have lesser chemicals and hence the less irritating to the sensitive skin types. The titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sunscreen is the key ingredients though the sunblock SPF is not good enough to protect from the longer rays like UVA of the sun.
Apparently both the UVA UVB protection is best provided by the more cosmetic twin of sunblock which is the zinc oxide sunscreen. For the absorption and reflection of both UVA and UVB rays, a sunscreen is the best choice, for those with less sensitive skin; they have chemicals for this purpose. Apart from having a high sunblock SPF, these sunscreens effectively reduces the harmful effects like wrinkling, sunburns, and even skin cancer to a big extent.
Then there are companies that offer a blend of sunblock and sunscreen to offer the advantages of both without causing much irritation o the sensitive skin types. Here the sunblock SPF which stands for sun protection factor, ideally chosen is between 15 to 60 times more than your natural skin.
Having both UVA UVB protection is the key area to be looked at while purchasing a sunscreen and since sunscreens offer all round protection for a longer duration of time, without causing harm to the skin unlike most of the sunblocks in the market. Zinc oxide sunscreen offers less irritation to the sensitive skin types and hence the best choice for kids who are out in the sun for a long time during the summer.
Sunscreens contain one or more UV filters like the following:
Organic chemical compounds that absorb ultraviolet light
Inorganic particulates that reflect, scatter, and absorb UV light (such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or a combination of both).
Organic particulates that mostly absorb light like organic chemical compounds, but contain multiple chromophores may reflect and scatter a fraction of light like inorganic particulates.
Sunscreens are available as lotions, sprays, gels, ointments, creams and sunblocks are mostly available in the water resistant form and lotions are touted to be the most popular form of sunblocks.
