Mineral Sunscreens for UVA Protection

Warm, sunny days.  Kids out of school.  Pools are open.  Time for fun in the sun.  But is your sunscreen providing the protection it should?

We have come to rely on SPF ratings here in the US, thinking more is better.  Sun Protection Factor (SPF) indicates the amount of sun protection from UVB rays a sunscreen will provide an average user when used correctly. But what about UVA rays?

UVB rays only work on the top layers of skin, the culprit of sunburn.  UVA rays penetrate to the lower layers of skin, causing long term damage -- sun tan, premature aging, and skin cancer.

To protect your skin from damaging UVA rays you must use a sunscreen capable of blocking both types of rays.  Last year the European Union Cosmetics Directive set up new regulations for sunscreen manufactured in Europe, requiring 1/3 of a product's SPF rating to be UVA protection.  The FDA is said to be working on a new UVA rating system for US labels reported to come out next fall.

So what are these companies using to provide protection from UVA?

Mineral sunscreens, like zinc oxide, are the safest and most effective sunscreen ingredient, protecting against both UVA and UVB rays.  You may picture the bright white lifeguard's nose when you hear the word "zinc", but this mineral has come a long way, baby.

Many natural skincare manufacturers are now using nanoparticle zinc, where the zinc particles are shrunken to render them clear and more effective at blocking UV rays.  There has been some concern that nanoparticles are absorbed by our bodies and, if so, what will happen if they accumulate over a period of time.  Evidence, at this point, is varied and inconclusive.

Where we stand right now with nanoparticle zinc is this:  It provides better protection from damaging radiation than either chemical sunscreens or un-protected sun exposure.  Also, the harmful ingredients found in chemical sunscreens are not being absorbed into your body.  For now, nanoparticle zinc sunscreen is the safest choice.

Zinc is so powerful in protecting our skin from damage because, unlike chemical sunscreens which sink into skin and allow UVA rays to reach the lower layers, it forms a physical barrier on top of the skin, reflecting the sun's rays.  And since it works via the barrier effect, its protection is immediate.

So what's up with SPF?  If 30 is good, 60 has to be twice as protective, right? Wrong.  The EPA states, “When properly used, an SPF of 15 protects the skin from 93 percent of UVB radiation, and an SPF 30 sunscreen provides 97 percent protection.”

Use these guidelines to determine which SPF is right for you:

• Fair skin – can stay in the sun 10 minutes before burning
• Olive skin – can stay in the sun 15 minutes before burning
• Dark skin – can stay in the sun 20 minutes before burning

Now multiply SPF by the number of minutes you can stay in the sun before burning. For example: (SPF) 20 x 10 (Fair skin) = 200 minutes (amount of time you can stay in the sun before burning if you have Fair skin and use an SPF of 20).

When it comes to using a sunscreen correctly, the EPA advises a 1 ounce application every 2 hours, more is you are swimming or sweating it off.  And don't miss those often forgetten areas, like ears and lips, back of neck, tops of feet, and backs of hands.

Here is my list of the best natural sunscreen products for the season:

Lavera makes mineral-based, 100% nontoxic sunscreen products with zinc and titanium dioxide.  The zinc is nano-scale in these products and, because Lavera products are made in Germany and BDIH certified, the SPF rating falls under the EU requirements.  I like the Sunscreen Spray for our bodies and use the Anti-aging Facial Sunscreen on my face.  For daily (not going to the pool or sitting at a game) use, Lavere Intensive Day Cream SPF 5 is perfect.  Buy now and save 10% on regular and clearance sunscreen products.

Soleo Sunscreen is nontoxic, water-resistant sunscreen that is awesome for use on the kids at the pool.  It is a little on the greasy side at first (which is why I apply it at the pool and not prior to) but does soak in after a few minutes.

Vivesana is a great nontoxic choice with maximum protection for baby. 

If you have any questions on UVA rays or mineral sunscreens, or would like to add you fave mineral sunscreen to the list, please leave your comment below. 

Happy safe sunning!

Image:  kirikiri at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.