🌞SUNsense🌞
Seattle Master Esthetician PattyHuang
1. What changes should we make to our skincare routines as warmer weather
approaches?
Most importantly, change up our creams.
Just like clothes that we put away seasonally, change out heavier, thicker
creams for lighter ones.
2. What are the best ingredients to look for in
a sunscreen?
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Both
absorb the sun's damaging rays and reflect them off skin. There is not one
100% organic or environmental friendly SPF; there are all produced in a lab.
The FDA approves of these two ingredients because they are the least damaging
to environment and human health.
3. Are there any sunscreen ingredients, or brands, of sunscreen that we should
avoid?
This has been in the news lately.
Avoid:
Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
Homosalate
Nanoparticles
Oxybenzone, Octinoxate and homosalate are ingredients which can lead to
allergies, disrupt the productive system filtering of toxicity in the body
Nanoparticles are 1000x small than one fine hair. There are SPFs that uses
nanotechnology (titanium oxide) however it is still too new to understand if
any harm can come to our bodies.
Sadly, all the ingredients listed above lead to some environmental damage, as
they are not biodegradable matter. Others harm our aquatic life system (however
you can look for "reef safe" formulas).
Once buoyant red and orange coral is now depleted and absent of marine
life.
4. How often should sunscreen be reapplied when swimming? When outside
walking/biking/hiking?
A good rule for water sports is to reapply and soon as you get out of the
water.
While walking, biking, and hiking, if you sweat, reset! Reapply every 2-3
hours.
5. What step in the skincare routine should sunscreen be applied?
Sunscreens should be applied before/underneath make up.
Multi-use products such as BB or CC need SPF mixed into them to be considered
protectorants, as they lack key sun-shunning ingredients. An added benefit of
mixing up this kind of formula is added hydration.
6. Should we use a different type of sunscreen for our faces than we would on
our bodies?
I believe we should. The thickness of a facial SPF is different than formulas
designed for the body. Body SPFs may contain a gel base to assist in
staying on the body longer, especially for athletes. This may be too harsh
and drying for facial skin.
7. What is the best way to protect our lips and under-eye areas from sun
damage?
Today's lipstick and gloss formulas often contain SPF, but you can manually mix
some sunscreen into your lipsticks and balms.
For eyes and eye lids, use the same SPF for the face, but but
opt for sunglasses coated with UV protection. Choose an eye cream with
SPF, too. UVA/UVB rays can seriously damage the retina, causing
sight-impairing cataracts.
8. What else should we know about sun safety and skincare?
Regardless of your skin color or where you live, everyone needs sunscreen
with at least SPF30. Don't forget to cover your hands, too.
Visit your skin specialist or dermatologist yearly to check for skin
cancers. Remember when we choose healthy skin care products, we are also
choosing ingredients that protect our ever-fragile environment. # # #