It was started by an article from yahoo indonesia here,"detecting diseases from (our)nails".I sometimes reading yahoo indonesia,though don't fancy it(some of their articles come too..-__-..not appropriate for public consumption imo).But some others are good and worth to read like that one.On that article,it's said that black lines on our nails can be a sign of skin cancer.Oh well,i ignored that article untill one day I found there's black line on my finger nail.I remember that article so I searched more on internet about skin cancer which is,never became my attention since I have tan skin color(ya know,our melanin protect us from sun rays.If you're not fair skinned people,so you have more melanin.And melanin=sun protection by our body.So actually that's what we should be grateful of if we live in tropical country instead of aiming for fairer skin color while we actually live in such tropical country).Skin cancer is,sadly,deadfull.Not many people are aware about this.Click this so that you can read more specific info about it.Skin cancer forms vary,but one of them is unusual largement of mole,changes in color,or even bleeding.And what cause skin cancer?it's mainly none other than sunrays!Yes,our beloved sunrays!The UVA of sunrays that causes skin cancer.How to prevent it?wearing long sleeves clothes,hat,using umbrella,sunglasses,and sunscreen lotion/cream.Basically,don't let your skin to be exposed directly under the sun for such long time without anything to cover it. What happens if you diss"obey"it?luckiest one you'll get sunburn,face spots/freckless,wrinkles.The worst is,skin cancer(melanoma).According to Dr.Susan Taylor, people with darker skin often get diagnosed at later stages because the cancers often appear in atypical locations. Melanomas in African-Americans and darker-skinned Hispanics and Asians develop more commonly on the palms, soles of the feet, toenails, fingernails and in mucus membranes like around the mouth and genitals, she said. In Caucasian and lighter-skinned Hispanics, melanomas more frequently appear on the back in men and on the legs in women.
courtesy of wikipedia
My biggest wrong perception about sunscreen were these:
1.It is only needed to prevent us from getting darker skin color(which now i certainly don't care about being darker-i live in a country with sun shine almost allover the year,there's no way you can be as"white"as those who live in nordic countries-plus the benefit of my melanin,so yes..i ignored regularly using sunscreen).
2.It is a weird product,it makes us look"ghostly"thanks to white cast,and..it's sticky.Not to mention that it can be oily as well.Why would i use kinda weird product like that?-_-
Anyway,see this pic below about two photographs showing the effect of applying sunscreen in visible light and in UVA. The photograph on the right was taken using ultraviolet photography shortly after application of sunscreen to half of the face.
courtesy of wikipedia
Now that I've read about skin cancer article,it made me realize that i've made a huge mistake by not putting sunscreen into my no.1 of daily skincare regime.So that I searched on the net to find a good sunscreen since I need it.Here are what we should consider when we want to buy a sunscreen from various articles on the net:
1.What is SPF?
SPF(sun protection factor)is a measurement of how long a product is effective to protect us from sunrays.There're 2 types of sunrays:UVA and UVB. UVA causing DNA damage to cells deep within the skin, increasing the risk of malignant melanomas(skin cancer),UVB causing skinburn.SPF protects us from UVB,not UVA.The higher the SPF,the better protection will be.Our skin has a natural SPF, partially determined by how much melanin we have, or how darkly pigmented our skin is. So,the darker you are,the higher spf that your skin has.However but even for the darkest skin it falls short of the AAD's recommendation of a daily SPF of at least 15 for everyone.So, having dark skin means free of skin cancer?the answer is NO.Read this article by CNN.Anyway,if we have darker skin color,sure we have higher SPF which blocks sunrays at certain level,however darker skin means less in vit D(because sun is blocked).It's fine if we have dark skin and live in a country which is full of sunshine.But if we live in a country which is less of sun shine,so we get even least of vit.D.
So,how about SPF labelling?The SPF is a multiplication factor. If we can stay out in the sun 15 minutes before burning, using a sunscreen with an SPF of 10 would allow us to resist the burn for 10x longer or 150 minutes.However,SPF labelling can cause missinterpretation since companies rising SPF more and more which actually doesn't mean the product give better protection.Owing to consumer confusion over the real degree and duration of protection offered, labeling restrictions are in force in several countries. In the EU sunscreen labels can only go up to SPF 50+ (actually indicating a SPF of 60 or higher)while Australia's upper limit is 30+.The United States does not have mandatory, comprehensive sunscreen standards, although a draft rule has been under development since 1978. In the 2007 draft rule, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed to institute the labelling of SPF 50+ for sunscreens offering more protection. This and other measures were proposed to limit unrealistic claims about the level of protection offered (such as "all day protection").Check this link about it..Then what SPF should I use?
When choosing an SPF rating, keep in mind that doubling the SPF value doesn't mean you get double the protection. SPF 15 will block the majority of UVB rays, SPF 15 blocks roughly 93% of UVB,SPF 30 blocks roughly 97% of UVB,and anything over SPF 30 doesn't really protect you much more than an SPF 30 product.
These are ingredients for UVB protection:
Natural ingredients:
1) Zinc oxide protects you from UVB and most of UVA providing more UVA protection than titanium dioxide (oxide). Listed at the top of the FDA monograph for effective sun protection is considered the best broad spectrum protection. Zinc oxide is also known for its mild antimicrobial and wound healing properties.
2) Titanium dioxide (oxide) protects you from UVB and short UVA radiation. Derived from the highly reflective chalky white mineral titanium is non-irritating, non-comedogenic, and for cosmetic use micronized by forming many small micro particles allowing your own skin tone to show.
UVB chemical ingredients:
Aminobenzoic acid(PABA), Cinnamates (octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), Ethylhexyl p-Methoxycinnamate, high incident of contact irritation, non comedogenic, widely used), Cinoxate, Dioxybenzone (UVB, UVAII), Ensulizole, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone (UVB, UVAII), Octyl dimethyl paba, Padimate O, Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), Salicylates (octyl salicytate (OCS), high incident of contact irritation, widely used), Sulisobenzone (UVB, UVAII), Trolamine salicylate.
2.Then how to protect our skin from UVA?
Check your sunscreen ingredients list.These ingredients are for UVA protection:
Natural ingredients:
1) Zinc oxide protects you from UVB and most of UVA providing more UVA protection than titanium dioxide (oxide). Listed at the top of the FDA monograph for effective sun protection is considered the best broad spectrum protection. Zinc oxide is also known for its mild antimicrobial and wound healing properties.
2) Titanium dioxide (oxide) protects you from UVB and short UVA radiation. Derived from the highly reflective chalky white mineral titanium is non-irritating, non-comedogenic, and for cosmetic use micronized by forming many small micro particles allowing your own skin tone to show.
UVA chemical ingredients:
Avobenzone(Parsol 1789), Dioxybenzone (UVB, UVAII), Ecamsule, Menthyl Anthranilate, Meradimate, Oxybenzone (benzophenone, benzophenone-3), Sulisobenzone (UVB, UVAII).
3.How to identify whether the product has UVA protection or not without looking at ingredients list?
You can source for these labels on the packaging:
uva seal used in EU(courtesy of wikipedia)
or:
-check the PA++ labels in it.PA is a japanese measurement of UVA sun protection which is based on persistent pigment darkening(PPD).Instead of measuring erythema or reddening of the skin, the PPD method uses UVA radiation to cause a persistent darkening or tanning of the skin. PA value range is between + to +++,which means +++ has the highest protection.
-In the UK and Ireland, the Boots star rating system is a proprietary in vitro method used to describe the ratio of UVA to UVB protection offered by sunscreen creams and sprays. The lowest rating is three stars, the highest being five stars.
4.So,what are differences between natural ingredients and chemical ingredients?
Natural ingredients(zinc oxide and titanium dioxide),act as a physical barrier from the sunrays.Physical barrier means they're on outer layer of your skin,stay there to protect your skin from sunrays.Your skin doesn't absorb it.That's why it's called physical.
Chemical ingredients do the protection to your skin by absorbing the sun's rays. Some chemical filters can scatter sun rays, but still mostly just absorb them.Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the UV rays that hit them and therefore absorbing the radiation.
5.So what should we choose then?
This one depends on each individual preferences.Chemical ingredients are usually Colorless, odorless,and usually runny.While natural ingredients are thick and opaque, may be hard to apply.
Since they each have their pros and cons, many of today's sunscreens contain both physical and chemical UV filters.Still,consider it if your chemical ingredients sunscreen contains oxybenzone since it's a potential hormone disruptors.
6.What is PABA that we often heard that we should avoid?
Patented in 1943, PABA was one of the first active ingredients to be used in sunscreen.The first in vivo studies on mice showed that PABA reduced UV damage. In addition, PABA was shown to protect against skin tumors in rodents.Animal and in vitro studies in the early 1980s suggested PABA might increase the risk of cellular UV damage.On the basis of these studies as well as problems with allergies and clothing discoloration, PABA fell out of favor as a sunscreen. However, water-insoluble PABA derivatives such as padimate O are currently used in some products.
7.What is a board spectrum sunscreen?
Broad-spectrum protection means that a sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It isn’t enough to just protect against one of the UV rays, because if you protect against UVB rays, you will still get damage from UVA rays and vice versa. Therefore, it is important to select a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection.Even though a product may display the term 'broad spectrum' it may not block all UVA and UVB radiation, check the ingredients to find out more.
8.What is Retynil palmitate?
It's an ingredient to slow skin aging and is often found in sunscreen.However,As a form of vitamin A, retinyl palmitate is suspected to speed the development of skin tumors when applied in sunlight, like sunscreen usually is.So if you want to use retynil palmitate,stay away from direct sunlight OR,choose sunscreen without retynil palmitate in it.
9.What are differences between sunblock and sunscreen?
Both are the same kind of"protecting skin from uv rays"products.
Sunblock works by preventing the Suns rays from reaching your skin - either by reflecting them away or absorbing them, changing there structure and releasing them. Sunblock used to sit on top of your skin and had a white appearance. With nano technology (making things really small) some sun blocking ingredients are now invisible to the eye, so you dont get that white ghost look. The main active ingredients in sunblock are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.Sunblock typically refers to opaque sunscreen that is effective at blocking both UVA and UVB rays and uses a heavy carrier oil to resist being washed off.
Sunscreen refers to products that allow the Sun's rays to penetrate the skin but filter some of the radiation in the ultra violet spectrum. The UV rays get altered to a safer wavelength and are released. The chemical interaction between the sunscreen and UV allows the sunscreen to absorb the UV before it penetrates the skin. Sunscreen offers protection from UV-A and UV-B, however sunscreen ingredients have the ability to deteriorate at a faster rate once exposed to sunlight, hence some radiation is able to penetrate to the skin. Some sunscreen products offer no protection against UV-A radiation whatsoever. Products often contain a mixture of physical and chemical block ingredients.However the use of the word "sunblock" in the marketing of sunscreens is controversial. The USFDA has considered banning such use because it can lead consumers to overestimate the effectiveness of products so labeled.
10.What is Nano particles in sunscreen?
Some of the newest sunscreen products use nanotechnology to make formulas that are more aesthetically pleasing. Nano-sized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide particles are much smaller than the typical micronized particles contained in most sunscreens. The smaller particle size allows them to go on more smoothly without leaving a noticeable white cast on the skin. The light-reflecting inorganic compounds meant that early sunscreens were almost indistinguishable from white paint. Nowadays though, nanotechnology has made it possible to produce completely clear sunscreens which still fend off UV rays just as effectively. They contain the same ingredients as traditional formulations, but the inorganic particles are so small that they are invisible.However,Studies suggest that nanomaterials are toxic in the environment to fish and other aquatic life and can damage organs when they enter the bloodstream after being absorbed through the skin, lungs or gut. EWG urges consumers to avoid mineral-based sunscreens sold as powders or sprays because they could inhale nanoparticles, with unknown consequences. EWG urges manufacturers of mineral-based powder and spray products not to use nano-scale particles.
11.Application?
General instructions that apply to most sunscreens (this may be different for the products you use, so always read the instructions.
- apply to dry skin
- make sure to cover your face, ears, neck and shoulders
- apply 15 to 30 minutes before going in the Sun
- re-apply after toweling off, swimming, or heavy sweating
- re-apply roughly every 2 hours
Now,let's talk about Badger sunscreen(since this is US product,so we use the term of sunscreen.See the reason above) that I've just purchased.It's been on my list of sunscreen since badger sunscreen has high rating on EWG and safe cosmetic database.The highest rating one is badger spf 30 unscented sunscreen,the one that I bought.Actually,I wanted to order Badger SPF 30 baby sunscreen(with chamomile+calendula) which is their new product.But it was out of stock so I ordered this one.I love badger packaging,it's has a funny badger cartoon drawing in every of badger product.I don't think if badgers(the animal)exist here,but really they're cute and adorable.Oh wait,according to wiki we have javan ferret badger too.But I rarely see it,i mean in neighbourhood.Unlike civet which is still wildly existed(i know because the civets ate my kittens back then T_T.I live in urban area,so I didnt understand how came those civets managed to visit my house?:S).So,back to badger sunscreen,i love the badger mama+her son pic on the packaging.Cute:).
On the front side you can see it's: water resistant,UVA/UVB,Non nano,Bio degradable.
On back side you can see it's: 50%post consumer recyclable material(recycling code 2), 4 UVA star-superior(based on boots measurement?),PA+++,against animal cruelty,and certified organic.
When you 1st time open it,it's sealed for protection.Not all cosmetics seal their tube products.Good packaging.I love it!:)
Inci:
Active Sunscreen Ingredient: Non-Nano, Uncoated Zinc Oxide 18.75%
Other Sunscreen Ingredients: *Olea Europaea (Extra Virgin Olive) Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Butter, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), and CO2 Extract of *Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn).
* = Certified Organic
that contains beeswax and sheabutter.So if you're allergic to it,this one isn't for you.The active ingredients for sunscreen is Non- Nano uncoated zinc oxide.Badger uses micro zinc oxide instead of nano one.What's the difference with non micro zinc oxide?since the particle is micro,so it will reduce the whiteish appearance on our skin when it's applied(since the particle is smaller than regular one).About nano particles,see article above:)
First time I apply it,it has a strong cocoa smell due to its ingredient:cocoa butter.Unless it's syllable,so i think this badger sunscreen doesn't need strong preservatives since it has no water in it that need to be preserved.This sunscreen is simply a blend of oils,butter,wax,and zinc oxide.Great for children and adults too.
It's not as thick as my prev.banana boat sunscreen or tbs sunscreen.It's easy to apply,blendable well after 30 minutes,and the white cast isn't that appears.Not oily either.
some white cast,but still blendable
Is it comedogenic(since physical sunscreen stay on top of our outer skin layer)?I don't think so.But yes,you'll get acne if you forget to clean your physical sunscreen after wearing it all day long.In my experience,I don't get acnes or pimples after wearing it quite long time.All in all,I like this sunscreen.It smells yummy too,like pouring chocolate to your face.I love chocolate!and I love this badger sunscreen!:) If i have to say something that I don't like,it will be about the price.Yeah,if only it can be less than 10USD:D,that will be perfect.Why?the shiping cost from US to here is @_@...If it's a drugstore price there,then when it arrives here,just multiply it 2x,so i don't say it's a drugstore price anymore.However,i don't want to use price for my rating on a product since it's a personal issue matter(and thats why I rarely mention product's price on my review). So based on my favor,my rate for this product is 5 points.Love ya badger!:)
Still want to ignore your sunscreen after reading this review?You choose:).Oh,and how about dark lines on my nails as I mentioned on top of my post above?It's dissapeared(Thanks God!).I think I got it when I do my laundry without wearing any gloves on(yes,i do handwashing my lingerie laundry btw).Sometimes I skip wearing gloves on,and that's how the detergent ruins my nails.Never forget to wear your gloves,pals!:)
That's all I can write about sun protection.If you want to search more about it,you can search it on the link I credit below.Anyway,feel free to share some of joy that you get today to those unfortunate people arround the globe.Those who live under sunshine in africa, or anywhere else in this world.Just click on the link below.Thank you for reading!Have a Lovely Day..:)
article credit to:
911skin
