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| 5 Common Myths About Sunscreens Unveiled |
| Friday, 07 May 2010 17:31 |
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G.S. Cosmeceutical USA, Inc. Clears the Air with Straight-Talk About Sunscreens Despite rising consumer awareness about sun protection, misconceptions about sunscreen labeling continue to persist. Test your sunscreen savvy with this true/false quiz: True or False: The higher the SPF, the more likely the sunscreen will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. False! Many consumers today unwittingly purchase SPF 30 products, believing they're receiving "broad-spectrum" UVA and UVB sun protection when they're often receiving inadequate, if any, protection against UVA rays. That's because the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) only measures UVB rays, a short-wave radiation that causes sunburn with wavelengths of 290-320 nanometers on the UV spectrum, whereas the longer UVA rays cause most premature skin aging and skin cancer. To get a true broad-spectrum sunscreen, look for a product with ingredients that specifically protect against UVA rays, such as avobenzone, zinc oxide and, to some extent, titanium dioxide. True or False: A SPF 50 sunscreen will provide significantly more protection than an SPF 30. False! A sunscreen rating higher than SPF 30 does not necessarily equate to significant higher protection. A SPF 30 confers about 97% protection against UVB rays, whereas a SPF 50 only nets you about 1 to 2 additional percentage points. True or False: Only "waterproof" sunscreens will truly last all day and need no reapplication. False! All sunscreens need to be reapplied. The simple acts of sweating and chafing of skin make reapplication of between 20 minutes and every two hours necessary. True or False: Micronized and nano-scale zinc oxide and titanium dioxide offer strong UVA protection and do not pose a health hazard. True! According to the EWG, repeated studies have found that these ingredients do not penetrate healthy skin when applied topically. Micronized and non-scale minerals enable formulators to create sunscreens with comprehensive protection and a less white topical appearance. True or False: The most you can do to protect yourself against the UV rays is to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply often. False! For the highest level of protection, consumers need to complement sunscreen use with protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat, and limited exposure. For the complete article on sunscreens and sunscreen labeling, visit www.gscos.com/blog/ About G.S. Cosmeceutical USA, Inc. G.S. Cosmeceutical USA, Inc. is a privately-owned contract manufacturing company. Headquartered in Livermore, California, the company is a leader in providing R&D, manufacturing and warehousing services to physicians, cosmetic entrepreneurs, corporate manufacturers, beauty start-ups and leading professionals in the spa and beauty industry. The company formulates across a broad range of categories, including anti-aging skincare, body care and hair care, organic- and natural-based products, paraben-free cosmetics and over-the-counter (OTC) cosmeceutical products, including broad-spectrum sunscreens. For additional information, visit http://www.gscos.com Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites |
