Showing posts with label Be Sun-savvy. Show all posts
Medications That May Make You Extra Sensitive to Sun And Causes Sunburn
Monday, June 4, 2018
Most people know how to take care of their skin while under the sun like slathering sunscreen, wearing hats and sunglasses but few people will knew that some common medication will intensify the effects of sunlight, raising the risk of burning and getting rashes.
Not everyone will have the same degree of sun sensitivity from these medications. But for some, even short intervals of sun exposure can cause a rash or burn. Those who are more at risk include people with fair skin, light-colored hair, and blue eyes; people who work outside; people who live at higher elevations or near the equator; and people with certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus.
So how do these common medication raise the risk?
9 Foods That Fight UV Damage
Monday, June 23, 2014
Rosemary
This fragrant, pine-scented herb helps fight inflammation in the body, undoing damage done by the sun and harmful environmental elements. Rosemary, sage, parsley, and basil are considered to be the most beneficial herbs. In particular, rosemary has been proven to possess high radical-scavenging abilities and anti-microbial benefits.
Read 5 Natural Beauty Tips From Your Kitchen Cabinet to use Rosemary as an anti-dandruff and hair fall reducer.
Read 5 Natural Beauty Tips From Your Kitchen Cabinet to use Rosemary as an anti-dandruff and hair fall reducer.
Salmon
Sure, there are always warnings about mercury in fish, but luckily, salmon is one of the healthy ones. Packed with essential fatty acids like omega 3's, they're good for the brain, but also great for the skin. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in fatty fish like salmon and herring act as a fountain of youth and a disease-fighter. Salmon is considered as one of the 6 budget superfood and it is one of the Secrets To Healthy Glowing Skin By Victoria Beckham.
Broccoli
Okay, so you may not love cruciferous veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or kale, but you'll want to get out your roasting pan when you hear the facts. Research has shown that these fibrous foods may protect against cancer and inhibit the growth of unhealthy cells. It is also important as part of the Pretty Skin Diet in order to give you smoother and line-free skin.
Turmeric
Did you know that the rates of colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease in India are particularly low? It's believed to be due in large part to the amount of curcumin in their diet, a compound that protects against free radical damage. A key spice in yellow curries, tumeric is high in the disease-fighting antioxidant. It is also one of the 8 Anti-aging Super Food To Look Younger.
Red bell peppers
Vitamin C is key for building strong collagen and fighting wrinkles. While your first instinct might be to reach for an orange, red bell peppers contain even more of the youth-boosting vitamin. Plus, they're lower in sugar, which actually causes skin inflammation.
Olive oil
You may already know that olive oil — a staple of the Mediterranean diet — is a healthier alternative than fatty butter or processed margarine. What you might not know though is that it's high in omega-3 fats, with both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Not only does it lower your risk of skin cancer, but it wards off signs of aging as well.
Read Beauty Secrets From Around The World where Olive Oil is a hit with the women in Greece.
Read Beauty Secrets From Around The World where Olive Oil is a hit with the women in Greece.
Green or white tea
Next time you stop into your local coffee place, you may want to skip the java and opt for a hot cup of green or white tea instead. Green and white teas are rich in polyphenols — particularly catechins — which have an inhibitory effect on cancer cells. It is known as one of the 8 Green Food For Healthy Glowing Skin and read What Green Tea Can Or Cannot Do For Your Skin.
Pumpkin seeds
Instead of tossing those squash seeds, you may want to toast them up for a skin-saving snack. They're a great source of zinc, a trace mineral that acts as a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, protecting against UV radiation, enhancing wound healing, and boosting the immune system. Not only does it reverse photodamage, but it can also slow down the growth of acne-causing bacteria. It is one of the 4 Food That Make Your Skin Glow.
Tomatoes
Bright red tomatoes — the redder, the better — are loaded with lycopene, an antioxidant known to protect your skin from the sun. Adding tomato paste to your diet has been proven to help protect your skin from sunburn and sun damage. It's most easily absorbed when the tomatoes have been cooked because the process helps release the lycopene from the plant cells. Use Tomato as one of the 10 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Acne Scars.
Source : EverydayHealth
Source : EverydayHealth
List Of Common UV Filters and Blockers
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
In recent years, there have been some controversy on chemical UV filters increasing cancer-causing free radicals, thus causing more damage than they prevent. In short, it meant that photo-unstable sunscreens may damage our skin. ie. Oxybenzone
Hence, simply applying sunscreen with ingredients like avobenzone, bemotrizinol, or benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) isn’t enough. Stabilizers are often needed to protect against ingredients that degrade easily. ie. in a sunscreen that uses avobenzone as a UV blocker, it may have octocrylene as a stabilizer. This increases the risk of irritation and adds to the low-level toxicity of the product.
Along with UV filters, its recommended to have an antioxidant to reduce the production of free radicals.
A sunscreen filter is photo-stable if it does not degrade in sunlight. In practice, the most photo-unstable filter is avobenzone. Octyl methoxycinnamate is also photo-unstable but it does not degrade quite as quickly. However, the combination of avobenzone and octinoxate degrades faster than either alone. Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) is also photo-unstable.
You can also read more from EWG - The Trouble With Ingredients in Sunscreen.
List of Common UV filters and blockers
Chemical name: zinc oxide
UV spectrum: UVA-1 , UVA-2, UVB
type :physical
stability: stable
irritation : none
Pros: broad range protection, safe, anti-irritant
cons: white residue
Chemical name: titanium dioxide
UV spectrum: UVA-1, UVB
type: physical
stability: unstable
irritation: none
Pros: none
cons: insufficient protection against UVA-2, may generate free radicals,
white residue
Chemical name: phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid
UV spectrum: UVB
type: chemical
stability: stable
irritation: low
Pros: may stabilize other chemicals, water soluble in salt form
cons: No UVA protection
Chemical name: homosalate
UV spectrum: UVB
type: chemical
stability: unstable
irritation: low
Pros: none
cons: No UVA protection, Poor range of UVB protection
Chemical name: octyl methoxycinnamate (octinoxate)
UV spectrum: UVB
type: chemical
stability: unstable (partially stabilized by bemotrizinol/ Tinosorb M)
irritation: potential high risk
Pros: none
cons: risk of possible estrogenic and other adverse effects
Chemical name: octyl salicylate (octisalate)
UV spectrum: UVB
type: chemical
stability: unstable
irritation: low
Pros: none
cons: Poor range of UVB protection
Chemical name: octocrylene
UV spectrum: UVB, UVA-2
type: chemical
stability: very stable, stabilizes other UV filters
irritation: low
Pros: very stable, stabilizes other UV filters
cons: weak, cannot be used alone
Chemical name: Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone)
UV spectrum: UVB, UVA-2
type: chemical
stability: unstable
irritation: high risk
Pros: none
cons: weak, cannot be used alone, promotes generation of free radicals,
systemically absorbed and excreted in urine at a much higher rate than
other sunscreen filters.
Chemical name: Avobenzone ( butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Parsol 1789, Eusolex 9020, Escalol 51)
UV spectrum: UVA-1, UVA-2
type: chemical
stability: unstable (Octocrylene, increases stability. Zinc oxide and
titanium dioxide reduce stability)
irritation: low
Pros: Full UVA protection
cons: loses effectiveness over time, may produce low-level
toxicity with long-term use
Chemical name: 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor , 4-MBC, 3-(4-Methylbenzylidene)
bornan-2-one , 3-(4-Methylbenzylidene)-dl-camphor
UV spectrum: UVB
type: chemical
stability: unstable
irritation: potential high risk
Pros: Stabilizes Avobenzone
cons:risk of possible estrogenic and other adverse effects, not approved in
the USA
Chemical name: Ecamsule/terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid (Mexoryl SX and XL)
UV spectrum: UVA-1, UVA-2
type: chemical
stability: stable
irritation: low
Pros: Ecamsule is acidic, the alkaline base used for neutralizing may cause
irritation for some people.
cons: Full UVA protection, photo-stable, expensive -patented by L’Oreal
Chemical name: Bisoctrizole/methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M, S)
UV spectrum: UVA-1, UVA-2, UVB
type: Chemical and Physical
stability: stable
irritation: low
Pros: Full UVA protection, photo-stable,pPartially stabilizes octinoxate
cons: Not approved in the USA
List of Common UV filters and blockers
Chemical name: zinc oxide
UV spectrum: UVA-1 , UVA-2, UVB
type :physical
stability: stable
irritation : none
Pros: broad range protection, safe, anti-irritant
cons: white residue
Chemical name: titanium dioxide
UV spectrum: UVA-1, UVB
type: physical
stability: unstable
irritation: none
Pros: none
cons: insufficient protection against UVA-2, may generate free radicals,
white residue
Chemical name: phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid
UV spectrum: UVB
type: chemical
stability: stable
irritation: low
Pros: may stabilize other chemicals, water soluble in salt form
cons: No UVA protection
Chemical name: homosalate
UV spectrum: UVB
type: chemical
stability: unstable
irritation: low
Pros: none
cons: No UVA protection, Poor range of UVB protection
Chemical name: octyl methoxycinnamate (octinoxate)
UV spectrum: UVB
type: chemical
stability: unstable (partially stabilized by bemotrizinol/ Tinosorb M)
irritation: potential high risk
Pros: none
cons: risk of possible estrogenic and other adverse effects
Chemical name: octyl salicylate (octisalate)
UV spectrum: UVB
type: chemical
stability: unstable
irritation: low
Pros: none
cons: Poor range of UVB protection
Chemical name: octocrylene
UV spectrum: UVB, UVA-2
type: chemical
stability: very stable, stabilizes other UV filters
irritation: low
Pros: very stable, stabilizes other UV filters
cons: weak, cannot be used alone
Chemical name: Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone)
UV spectrum: UVB, UVA-2
type: chemical
stability: unstable
irritation: high risk
Pros: none
cons: weak, cannot be used alone, promotes generation of free radicals,
systemically absorbed and excreted in urine at a much higher rate than
other sunscreen filters.
Chemical name: Avobenzone ( butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Parsol 1789, Eusolex 9020, Escalol 51)
UV spectrum: UVA-1, UVA-2
type: chemical
stability: unstable (Octocrylene, increases stability. Zinc oxide and
titanium dioxide reduce stability)
irritation: low
Pros: Full UVA protection
cons: loses effectiveness over time, may produce low-level
toxicity with long-term use
Chemical name: 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor , 4-MBC, 3-(4-Methylbenzylidene)
bornan-2-one , 3-(4-Methylbenzylidene)-dl-camphor
UV spectrum: UVB
type: chemical
stability: unstable
irritation: potential high risk
Pros: Stabilizes Avobenzone
cons:risk of possible estrogenic and other adverse effects, not approved in
the USA
Chemical name: Ecamsule/terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid (Mexoryl SX and XL)
UV spectrum: UVA-1, UVA-2
type: chemical
stability: stable
irritation: low
Pros: Ecamsule is acidic, the alkaline base used for neutralizing may cause
irritation for some people.
cons: Full UVA protection, photo-stable, expensive -patented by L’Oreal
Chemical name: Bisoctrizole/methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M, S)
UV spectrum: UVA-1, UVA-2, UVB
type: Chemical and Physical
stability: stable
irritation: low
Pros: Full UVA protection, photo-stable,pPartially stabilizes octinoxate
cons: Not approved in the USA
Review on Dermalogica Super Sensitive Faceblock SPF30
Monday, April 26, 2010
Product Description
A chemical-free sunscreen and skin treatment designed for skin commonly irritated by sun protection ingredients. Lavender, Green Tea and Licorice soothe irritation while mineral UV-blockers Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide invisibly defend against UVA and UVB rays. Contains no artificial fragrance or color.How It Works :
- Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide microscopic dispersions provide complete protection against UVA and UVB exposure.
- UV Smart Booster Technology enhances photoprotection with antioxidant vitamins C and E that scavenge UV-induced free radicals any time skin is exposed to daylight.
- Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (Licorice) and Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) contain soothing isoflavonoid polyphenols to calm irritation.
- Dimethicone (Silicones) protect and reinforce barrier lipids, which are often compromised in sensitized skin conditions.
I bought this sunblock
after my sister have been using it for almost 2 years. She have blemish-free and fair skin and of course, I wanted to try it out.
Makeupalley gives it a 3.8 while Total Beauty gives it a 9.3.To sum it up from Makeupalley, some of the users reported dryness, tightness, itchiness and price factor being a big concern to all.
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Sodium DNA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Silica, Carbomer, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Linalool, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.
I have experienced some of the observations reported ( no itchiness and no tightness though ) but the benefits I reaped from it far outweighs the cons so I will continue to use this.
When I was young, sunscreen was not on the top of my list but now I am urged to apply a suncreen in my everyday routine to prevent more pigmentation.
I have very slight pigmentation on both cheeks and while make-up can conceals it, its still an eyesore to me, since I do not wear make-up on most of the days.
This milky-like fluid which is easy to spread, is a chemical-free sunscreen. The instruction on the bottle states that it is to be used before moisturiser but I am not comfortable in using it on my very bare face and sought the advice from Leonard Drake. One of the senior advisors says that I can use it after moisturiser if I have sensitive skin so I decided to follow her advice.
It leaves a slight white cast on the face but it poses no problem after I used a BB cream or liquid foundation over it. It is slightly greasy and leave a slight sheen after application but dries to a matt finish. There is a slight herbal scent but I am fine with that. Perhaps its psychological, but I felt that my skin is much protected nowadays.
However, on certain days when my skin is dehydrated, it tends to emphasize the dry patches on my face, so do moisturise well, before using.
According to American Cancer Society, products with an SPF of 15 or higher that also contain avobenzone (Parsol 1789), ecamsule, zinc oxide, or titanium dioxide are likely to be effective against UVB and most UVA rays.
It is also to be noted that Zinc Oxide offers broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB (source) while Titanium Dioxide itself offers only partial UVA protection (source)
Purchase the latest Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF 50 on Amazon!
Full Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 6.7%, Zinc Oxide 9.2%. Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Sodium DNA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Silica, Carbomer, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Linalool, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.
Importance of the Sun and how to stay protected
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Know how to select and apply a good sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn and other skin damage
Sunscreen absorbs, reflects or scatters UV light. It's divided into three wavelength bands — ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet C (UVC). Only UVA and UVB rays reach the earth.
Sunscreens provide either physical or chemical protection from UV light.
Physical sunscreens :
form an opaque film that reflects or scatters UV light before it can penetrate the skin. These sunscreens contain ingredients, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Original formulations of physical sunscreens remained white when applied to the skin. Newer formulations blend more with your skin tone and are less noticeable.
Chemical sunscreens :
absorb UV rays before they can cause any damage. They contain one or more ingredients, such as avobenzone or oxybenzone, which absorb UVA or UVB rays. For broad protection, chemical sunscreens often contain more than one ingredient to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. A newer over-the-counter sunscreen contains mexoryl (Anthelios SX) and offers protection against both UVA and UVB radiation.
Be safe in the sun
Vitamin D
Vitamin D from the sun helps us absorb calcium and prevent osteoporosis (porous bones) - simply eating calcium-rich foods without the vitamin is not enough, as the calcium may end up depositing itself in areas other than the bones, which is not good news.
More evidence from researchers is showing an increased link between vitamin D from sunlight and the reduction in cancer risk. People who live in areas where there is more sun have reduced risk of breast and prostate cancer (IIAA Issue Autumn 2005). For more information on the correlation between vitamin D and cancer, read here
In addition, researchers at Aberdeen University have revealed that lack of vitamin D from sunlight contributes to obesity. Vitamin D controls the hormone leptin which signals to the brain when you are full. They found that those who were obese had lower levels of vitamin D; in fact they produced a tenth less vitamin D than those of average weight.
Sunlight (or its ultraviolet component to be exact) is needed for the body to produce vitamin D, whose deficiency leads to bone loss, poor immunity and, possibly, increased cancer risk. Experts believe that adequate vitamin D status requires ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure at least two times per week to the face, arms, hands, or back without sunscreen. Some people, especially those with darker skin or unusually low rate of skin synthesis of vitamin D, may require more. Furthermore, recent research indicates that vitamin D levels above what's minimally adequate may have various health and longevity benefits.
Avoid sunbeds
Topping up on a sunbed is not a good way to supplement your exposure. Sunbeds mostly block out the UVB rays but not the UVA rays, and it is the UVB that makes the vitamin D in your skin. All you’ll get from a sunbed is a tan and wrinkles as a result of the accelerated ageing from UVA.
Supplements
Protect yourself well on the inside as well as the outside. Build up your store of vitamins A and C by eating foods that are rich in these vitamins and other anti-oxidants, and apply skin products that have potent quantities of vitamins A, C and E, as these get destroyed by the sun so need replacing.
Source :
Mayo Clinic
SmartSkin
Sunscreen absorbs, reflects or scatters UV light. It's divided into three wavelength bands — ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet C (UVC). Only UVA and UVB rays reach the earth.
Sunscreens provide either physical or chemical protection from UV light.
Physical sunscreens :
form an opaque film that reflects or scatters UV light before it can penetrate the skin. These sunscreens contain ingredients, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Original formulations of physical sunscreens remained white when applied to the skin. Newer formulations blend more with your skin tone and are less noticeable.
Chemical sunscreens :
absorb UV rays before they can cause any damage. They contain one or more ingredients, such as avobenzone or oxybenzone, which absorb UVA or UVB rays. For broad protection, chemical sunscreens often contain more than one ingredient to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. A newer over-the-counter sunscreen contains mexoryl (Anthelios SX) and offers protection against both UVA and UVB radiation.
Be safe in the sun
Vitamin D
Vitamin D from the sun helps us absorb calcium and prevent osteoporosis (porous bones) - simply eating calcium-rich foods without the vitamin is not enough, as the calcium may end up depositing itself in areas other than the bones, which is not good news.
More evidence from researchers is showing an increased link between vitamin D from sunlight and the reduction in cancer risk. People who live in areas where there is more sun have reduced risk of breast and prostate cancer (IIAA Issue Autumn 2005). For more information on the correlation between vitamin D and cancer, read here
In addition, researchers at Aberdeen University have revealed that lack of vitamin D from sunlight contributes to obesity. Vitamin D controls the hormone leptin which signals to the brain when you are full. They found that those who were obese had lower levels of vitamin D; in fact they produced a tenth less vitamin D than those of average weight.
Sunlight (or its ultraviolet component to be exact) is needed for the body to produce vitamin D, whose deficiency leads to bone loss, poor immunity and, possibly, increased cancer risk. Experts believe that adequate vitamin D status requires ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure at least two times per week to the face, arms, hands, or back without sunscreen. Some people, especially those with darker skin or unusually low rate of skin synthesis of vitamin D, may require more. Furthermore, recent research indicates that vitamin D levels above what's minimally adequate may have various health and longevity benefits.
Avoid sunbeds
Topping up on a sunbed is not a good way to supplement your exposure. Sunbeds mostly block out the UVB rays but not the UVA rays, and it is the UVB that makes the vitamin D in your skin. All you’ll get from a sunbed is a tan and wrinkles as a result of the accelerated ageing from UVA.
Supplements
Protect yourself well on the inside as well as the outside. Build up your store of vitamins A and C by eating foods that are rich in these vitamins and other anti-oxidants, and apply skin products that have potent quantities of vitamins A, C and E, as these get destroyed by the sun so need replacing.
Source :
Mayo Clinic
SmartSkin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)



