Most of us recognize that it’s the sun’s UV rays – both UVA and UVB rays that are responsible for damage to the skin over both the short and longer term.
The shorter UVB rays (wavelength between 290 and 320 nm) penetrate just to the epidermis (the top layer of skin) and are responsible primarily for Burning. UVA rays (wavelength between 320 and 400 nm) are composed of two types – UVA short (320 – 340 nm; UVA-II) and UVA long (340-400 nm; UVA-I).
Short UVA rays, like UVB rays, penetrate into the Epidermis. But long UVA rays penetrate deeper into the Dermis where they contribute to Aging (wrinkles, age spots, leather skin as well as some types of skin cancers).
Most sunscreens contain adequate protection from UVB rays. Since it is not yet mandatory in the US or Canada for manufacturers to rate the UVA protection capabilities of a sunscreen it’s up to us to do our homework.
When we choose a broad spectrum UVA/UVB blocking sunscreen it’s important to ensure that the UVA filter it contains is protecting against the whole spectrum of UVA rays.
Here is a breakdown of some of the more effective and widely used UVA filters and the range of protection that they offer:
While some studies caution us against the use of chemical sunscreens, others maintain that they deliver superior protection in more cosmetically elegant formulations than those of physical sunscreens. The choice is up to you, but here are my picks for sunscreens that will deliver protection across the UVA and UVB spectrum:
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Here are my top picks with regards to the above UVA filters:
- Normal/dry skin facial or body protection (Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL)
Anthelios XL SPF 45 or Anthelios XL SPF 60 Cream - Oily skin
Anthelios Fluide Extreme SPF 50+ - Acneic Skin
Anthelios AC SPF 30 - Daily moisturizer plus sunscreen
Normal/dry skin – Hydraphase UV SPF 30 or Hydraphase XL SPF 15 Riche
Oily skin – Hydraphase XL SPF 15 Light - Tinosorb M and S (excellent UVA plus UVB coverage)
Bioderma Photoderm Max SPF 50+ Fluid – face
Bioderma Photoderm Max SPF 50+ Lait – face and body - Physical Blocker with Zinc Oxide/Titanium Dioxide
Cotz Total Block SPF 58
