Sunscreen Caution: Are You Really Protected?

We toss on sunscreen and go on our way, secure in the fact that we’re protected from the dangerous - and aging – rays of the sun.

Unfortunately, unless you know what to look for in a sunscreen, you may not be getting the protection you think.

The reason? Many of the products sold today can only offer long lasting protection from the short length UVB rays of the sun.

And while that’s important – these are rays responsible for that nasty, painful sunburn - research now shows that it’s really the long length UVA rays that may be the most damaging of all.

These are the rays, say experts, that cause not only the kind of deep, penetrating cell damage that increases your risk of skin cancer, but also increases the kind of damage that linked to premature skin aging.

"UVA rays penetrate deep, not only increasing your risk of skin cancer but also causing the kind of deep collagen and elastin damage that contributes to aging skin,” says Bruce Katz, MD, director of Juva Skin and Lasers in New York City.

What’s that you say . . . your sunscreen says UVA and UVB protection?

Here’s the glitch: While the UVA protection offered in most sunscreens does work – it is effective for only a short time, in some studies offering protection for as little as just 20 minutes.

Indeed, a combination of sweat and the sun itself causes many of the most commonly used UVA defenders to degrade soon after they are applied, leaving you vulnerable and at risk faster than you can down that can of diet soda on your lunch break in the park.

Another note of caution: Don’t look to the SPF (sun protection factor) of a sunscreen a measure of its total effectiveness. The SPF is a determination of how long you can remain in the sun before you will get burned – and so it reflects only the protection from UVB rays.

The SPF of a product has no bearing on UVA exposure– so no matter how high the number, the product won’t necessarily offer you the protection you need.

Good News: The UVA Protection That Does Work
Fortunately, you don’t have to spend the summer hiding in the basement- or worse still, bopping around town with one of those ruffle- y pink parasols doing your best impression of Scarlet O’Hara in Gone With The Wind.

Instead, look for sunscreens that contain one of two key ingredients: Helioplex or Mexoryl sx (emcamsule). Hailed by the medical profession as the first real breakthroughs in sun protection in more than 20 years, each of these ingredients is designed specifically to defend skin against those short but deadly UVA rays with protection that lasts.

"These two ingredients are truly the best we have and they are a major, major advance in not only sun protection but also in protection against premature skin aging, “ says Katz.

Mexoryl SX contains the unique UVA blocker emcamsule. Developed by the scientists at L’Oreal it is currently available in several sunscreen formulations, as well as being included in a number of anti-aging creams designed to both treat and protect the skin at the same time.(Click here to learn more.)

Helioplex, is a technology developed by Neutrogena and it works to stabilize two traditional sunscreen ingredients - avobenzone and oxybenzone- so the UVA protection they normally offer does not break down. And that means protection that lasts, without having to reapply as often. (Click here to learn more).

Whichever ingredient you choose, you’re sure to end up with a sunscreen that both protects your health – and helps you look younger longer. What’s not to love?

For more information on the specific sunscreens with this top-level protection click here.

You might also be interested in reading: Tips for applying mineral make-up for top sun protection (click here) and “The Anti Aging Ingredients That Really Work.” (Click here).

For the best midlife health & beauty information

visit YourMenopause.com -

"The Source"

New Study Links Nutrient to Sun Protection From Within

Among the main reasons most of us don’t garner the cancer-protecting benefits of sunscreen is because we simply hate to apply them – and when we do, experts say we often don’t apply them frequently enough.

Now, scientists say there may be a way to boost the sun protection of sunscreen – and help the protection last longer – and it comes in the form of a nutrient you swallow and not apply!


In a meta-analysis of numerous studies now reported in the journal Photochemistry and Photobiology, German researchers write that taking a daily dose of the nutrient beta carotene for a minimum of 10 weeks appears to offer a level of 24/7 sun protection, over and above what traditional, topically applied sunscreens provide.

The report adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the idea that skin protection starts from within - including not only protection from skin cancer, but also premature aging.

Moreover, the group also found that for every month of beta-carotene supplementation passing the 10-week mark, the sun protection factor increased.

Beta carotene is considered a “carotinoid’ – a nutrient that comes from plants and is converted by the body into Vitamin A. But it also has powerful antioxidant activity on it’s own – and therein may lie the secret to it’s sun protection success.

Sun Screen, Skin Aging and Beta Carotene
One of the ways in which sun damages skin – including aging it – is via the production of free radicals. These are molecules produced in skin when we are exposed to both UVA and UVB rays of the sun.

In terms of aging, free radical molecules literally gobble up collagen and elastin – the support structure underneath skin that keeps it taunt and wrinkle free. Once collagen and elastin decline, skin sags and wrinkles and lines appear.

In terms of skin cancer, these same free radical molecules also produce what is known as “oxidative stress”. This causes changes in the DNA of skin cells that eventually can lead to skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, each year there are nearly 60,000 new cases of melanoma skin cancer - the most serious and deadliest form of this disease – from which almost 8,000 lives are lost annually.

One of the ways in which traditional, topically applied sunscreen works is by blocking or absorbing ultra violet light before it has a chance to penetrate skin and damage cells. But, it only works when you apply enough of it – and re-apply it often enough.

And while no one is certain exactly how beta-carotene increases that protection, many believe it protects skin by quenching those nasty oxidative molecules before they get a chance to damage cells. Another theory holds that beta-carotene may interfere with various cell signals deep within the DNA - messages that may ultimately keep oxidative stress from doing any serious damage. .

Indeed, evidence has been mounting to indicate that a number of nutrients, including lycopene, lutein, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) may also help protect skin from within, working to squash oxidative stress and in the process reducing both premature skin aging and the risk of skin cancer.

What This Means For You
First, it does not mean you should exchange sunscreen use for a vitamin supplement. At best the protection provided by beta carotene is a consistent SPF 4 –a good start, but without the use of additional sunscreen you'll be getting only the barest minimal protection and not enough to keep you safe in strong sunlight.

Indeed, researchers stressed it’s not a matter of “one or the other” – you need both.

Although there is no recommended daily amount (RDA) of beta-carotene, it requires about 6 mg to meet the conversion rate necessary to meet the RDA for vitamin A – which stands at about 2,300 international units for women, and 2,500 international units for men.

Making sure your body gets at least this much may go a long way in helping to protect your skin and keep you looking younger longer. Foods high in beta-carotene include eggs, and low fat milk and cheese, or fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apricots, peaches or cantaloupe.
One important note: Since too much vitamin A has been associated with birth defects, if you are pregnant or nursing, make certain your supplement intake does not exceed that found in your prenatal vitamin.

To Learn More:
To learn more about this study click here.

To find out which new sunscreens make the grade – and which ones won’t give you the protection you need, click here.

Visit RedDressDiary.com - or YourMenopause.com – the source for midlife health and beauty.

New Dangers: Anti Aging Creams, Sunscreens, LipGloss

There's no question that regular use of sunscreen will reduce your risk of skin cancer. And there's good evidence that at least some anti aging creams will help your skin look younger.

But now disturbing new evidence is mounting that one ingredient commonly use in both – the chemical oxybenzone – may, in and of itself be a health risk – not to mention prematurely aging your skin.

At the heart of the matter: Evidence that oxybenzone penetrates the skin, and when it does it increases the production of free radicals – byproducts of cellular activity that can cause cell changes linked to cancer. Indeed, one of the links between sun exposure and skin cancer is an increased production of free radicals. Free radicals are also one of the leading causes of premature aging of the skin.

In Europe, concerns brought to light by a number of studies led to a labeling law requiring products containing more than 5% oxybenzone must be labeled as such.

There are no such labeling requirements in the United States.

According to the Environmental Working Group there some 588 sunscreen products alone available in the United States containing oxybenzone including popular brands such as Hawaiian Tropical, Coopertone and Banana Boat. Many anti aging creams, as well as lip glosses and balms, as well as some facial moisturizers also contain this chemical.

Certainly it's not a good idea to stop using sunscreen - and please don't take away my antiaging creams! But do read labels and look for those products which contain minimal or no oxybenzone. In terms of lip glosses and moisturizers, it's easy to avoid this ingredient altogether.