Health + Wellness — Sunscreen Lotion

Important: This article makes the case that topical sunscreen, while essential, is not a complete sun protection strategy on its own. The oral supplements discussed here are dietary supplements, not classified as sunscreens or as drugs under FDA regulations. They should always be used together with topical broad-spectrum SPF. Research cited refers to the individual ingredients in these products, not to the products themselves. Introduction Topical sunscreen has been the centerpiece of sun protection for decades, and it deserves its place there. Broad-spectrum SPF is one of the highest-leverage decisions you can make for your skin's long-term health (beyond avoiding...

A real allergic reaction to sunscreen is more common than people realize, and it puts users in a difficult bind: they need sun protection, but the products designed to provide it are causing rashes, hives, or breakouts. This article walks through what a sunscreen allergy actually is, which ingredients are the most common triggers, and how a daily oral antioxidant supplement can support your skin’s defenses from the inside out — adding a layer of protection that does not depend on putting anything on irritated skin. If you think sunscreen makes your skin break out, sting, or develop a rash...

Oral sunscreens and topical sunscreens are two very different forms of sun protection — and they are not interchangeable. Topical sunscreen is a regulated drug product that sits on the skin and absorbs or reflects UV rays. An oral sunscreen is actually a daily antioxidant supplement designed to support your skin’s natural defenses against UV-induced damage from the inside out. This article breaks down how each one works, where each one falls short, and why most dermatologists who recommend oral antioxidant support still also recommend you use topical SPF every day. If you have ever asked yourself whether you should...

It’s summer. It’s sunny outside. People are doing fun things in the sun and you want to too! You can produce Vitamin D in the sun. And yes it feels good to get a little sunlight. Just understand that there are tradeoffs to sun exposure. Every second you’re in the sun damages your skin and leads to wrinkles and a weathered appearance. In fact, nothing ages your skin more than sun exposure. So if you’re going to get out there during the day, be careful and do it as considerately as possible. You’ll thank your younger-looking-self later! Time Of Day...

If you use topical sunscreen lotions, here are some important points to understand this summer (from ABC News): The Truth About Sunscreen: Are Labels Lying? This video and accompanying article explain how much sunscreen is actually necessary to receive the purported benefits of sunscreen lotions, that the benefits of sunscreen lotions may be misleading, that many sunscreen lotions don’t actually protect you very well from UVA rays, and that sunscreen lotions aren’t actually sweatproof or waterproof. The second video (plays automatically after the first) with Diane Sawyer also mentions that the incidence rates of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer are...