Blog
Composition of Sunscreens—What is the Best SPF?
June 23, 2010
It used to be said that you only needed an SPF 15. Fine as far as it goes as SPF 15 really only protects against UVB—the rays that cause a sunburn.
The UVA rays cause the cancer, tan, and wrinkles and they are not protected by the lower number sunscreen.
Recent research shows that the higher number sunscreens SPF 60 that contain Mexoryl SX, titanium dioxide, and Parsol 1789 are the most effective.
A new development in sunscreens is to micronize them—but there is some loss of UVA protection with this physical change in the sunscreen properties.
The best sunscreen is the one you have on! They are no good to any of us if left in the bottle. Be sure you carry a small bottle in your pocket or purse so you can reapply every 1-2 hours—particularly if outside with strenuous activities which makes us sweat the screen off.
