Question:
I'm looking for an SPF 30 sunblock this summer. My SPF 15 just isn't enough
coverage, even with SPF 10 or 15 foundation on top (I know, I know, the
combination doesn't equal a higher SPF!). Although I've had good luck using
the Loreal Future-E SPF 15 moisturizer, I am wondering if it is really UVA/UVB
protection? The active ingredients listed are Octocrylene 7% and
Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid 2%. Anyone know if that means UVA and UVB?
The reason I ask is that the box states UVA and UVB protection, but the
container itself does not. Just made me wonder!
I have Clinique's 30 SPF Face Zone Sun Block, but I only use this for sunlight
"emergencies" since it is so heavy, and I just recently realized that it
contains that nasty Octyl-m-cinnamate, which makes my skin misbehave. So now
that is designated as Body Zone sun block! Are there any other sun
block chemicals I should avoid, since I seem to have sensitive skin?
Answer:
I have no idea why L'Oreal is able to put that claim re. UVA/UVB
protection, but only titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or Parsol 1789 give
good UVA protection. Bear in mind that, so far, the FDA has not come up
with a rating system for the *amount* of UVA blockage, so the
above-mentioned ingredients may not all be equally effective at
filtering UVA light.
If you are sensitive to octyl-m-cinnamate, you might want to avoid
benzophenone which is also irritating to many people. I've not heard
that Parsol 1789 is irritating, but it is a chemical sunscreen and it
probably hasn't been on the market long enough for sensitivities to
surface in the population. Try it and see if it works for you. Both
PreSun and Shade, which audrey suggested in another post, contain Parsol
1789.
The other two UVA blockers, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are
physical sunblocks. They work by sitting on top of your skin and
blocking UVA/UVB light, like your clothes. They're less likely to cause
irritations. However, I don't know of any sunblocks with an SPF 30
rating which uses only physical sunblock ingredients. I think
Skinceuticals makes one with SPF 20. The problem with getting the SPF
that high is that physical sunblocks become opaque (i.e. white) when
they are at high concentrations.
Finally, everything I've written about sensitivities and irritations
refers to allergic reactions. If you are experiencing acne-like
breakouts, your skin could be reacting to any of the several *carrier*
ingredients in sunscreen rather than the sunblock ingredients in
particular.
