Question:
According to the latest research, zinc oxide (including z-cote) is the
best sunblock agent there is as it effectively blocks out most of the
UVA spectrum (more than titanium dioxide). The sunblock I have used in
the past, Minesol, contained zinc oxide but I now find it too thick and
greasy. Can anyone suggest another light sunscreen with zinc oxide? I
know Skinceuticals makes one but I don't know how much it costs and
whether I can get it in Europe. Any other ideas?
Answer:
As an Australian doctor, I am ashamed to admit that I do Not have a confident
answer to this. It appears that using a combination of physical (titanium
dioxide or zinc oxide) and chemical sunscreening agents is more effective
than either alone. Parsol 1789 = avobenzone = butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane
has been found to be the most effective agent in the shorter UV-A range.
Microfine titanium dioxide is more cosmetically acceptable than other
physical agents. UV-B is another subject matter, though I personally would
avoid PABA and PABA esters including Padimate O. Some researchers do believe
that sunscreen does more harm than good, by encouraging sun exposure whilst
not providing 100% protection. Others believe that some agents may actually
be carcinogenic or have other deleterious effects!
Now that summer is approaching, I feel motivated to do a proper MedLine
search in the next few weeks. If anyone is interested, I can summarise the
results and e-mail or post them.
