KNOW YOUR

by Katie McClure Health, Beauty, and Wellness Manager

coming into the health and beauty department of Ukiah Natural Foods you will notice that we choose to only carry mineral based sunscreen. We have made this choice for many reasons, the primary two being love for the planet and love for ourselves. The chemicals used in conventional sunscreens have been proven to negatively affect marine life. These chemicals are absorbed into the body through the skin, which are known to cause hormone disruptions and allergic reactions.

Mineral sunscreens provide broad-spectrum sun protection, protecting against both UVB, the sunburn producing cancer causing rays, and UVA rays which attribute to premature skin aging and wrinkles. Mineral sunscreens are made of small particles that sit on the surface of the skin and physically prevent UV rays from penetrating the skin by scattering and reflecting the rays.

Sunscreen needs to be applied liberally and evenly to ensure you are getting the full SPF protection listed on the label, as well as being reapplied especially after periods of activity. Sunscreen rubs and sweats off, as well as washing off while swimming. The recommended amount is 1 oz for full body coverage.

WhenThe Sun Protection Factor, commonly known as SPF, is a measure of how much UV radiation is required to produce sunburn of protected versus unprotected skin. As the SPF value increases, sunburn protection increases. The differences between SPF levels can be confusing, but it's essential to know that the increase in protection becomes much smaller as the SPF gets higher. An SPF 15 sunscreen blocks 93% of UVB radiation, and SPF 30 blocks 97%. After that, the difference in protection is small. SPF 50 blocks 98%, and SPF 100 stops 99% of UVB rays from reaching your skin.

The Skin Cancer Foundation advises everyone to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

The thick nature and whitening cast of a mineral sunscreen can be off putting for some people. I personally like the visible indication that I have applied enough product for adequate protection, but I know most do not share this opinion. If you have been averse to trying a mineral sunscreen for this reason, look for an option using clear zinc oxide. Clear zinc oxide is a specialized type of mineral zinc oxide powder whose particles have a porous surface texture that doesn’t reflect as much visible light as standard non-nano zinc oxide and is therefore less whitening on the skin.