FREE STANDARD SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $25! CLICK FOR DETAILS

  • Log in
  • Cart (0)
  • Checkout
  • Roll-ons
  • Blends
  • Essential Oils 
    • Amazon Store
    • Roll-ons
    • Curated Blends
    • Gift Sets
    • Accessories
    • Shop By Use 
      • Energy & Focus
      • Stress
      • Skin & Hair
      • Immunity
      • Respiratory
      • Wound Care
      • Sleep
      • Pain
      • Hormone Balance
    • Directions for Use
    • Certified Organic
  • Resources 
    • Blog
    • Organic Garden 
      • Bergamot
      • Cedarwood
      • Cinnamon Bark
      • Clary Sage
      • Clove Bud
      • Cypress
      • Eucalyptus
      • Frankincense
      • Geranium
      • Ginger
      • Helichrysum
      • Lavender
      • Lemon
      • Lemongrass
      • Myrrh
      • Neroli
      • Orange
      • Peppermint
      • Pink Grapefruit
      • Sandalwood
      • Tea Tree
      • Ylang Ylang
    • We Love
  • Our Story
Blog
Home   Blog   Sunscreen 411
Skin Care

Sunscreen 411

July 02, 2018

on the beach, woman applying sunscreen to a young child

 

Radiation energy emitted from the sun is a form of ultraviolet rays (UV). There are two types of rays that reach earth, UVA and UVB.

man applying sunscreen to his chest

UVA rays (the dominant tanning ray) have a longer wavelength and can penetrate two layers beneath the skin into the dermis. UVA have long been known to play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling (photoaging). Recent studies, however, show that UVA damages skin cells in the basal layer of the epidermis, where most skin cancers occur.

UVB, the chief cause of skin reddening and sunburn, tends to damage the skin's more superficial epidermal layers. It plays a key role in the development of skin cancer and a contributory role in tanning and photoaging.

Broad spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays; however, SPF only measures a sunscreen’s ability to filter UVB rays.

SPF – Sun Protection Factor

SPF is a measure of how much solar energy (UV radiation) is required to produce sunburn on protected skin (i.e., in the presence of sunscreen) relative to the amount of solar energy required to produce sunburn on unprotected skin.  It is not directly related to time of solar exposure but to amount of solar exposure.

woman in a winter scene applying sunscreen to her face

It is a common mistake to assume that the duration of effectiveness of a sunscreen can be calculated simply by multiplying the SPF by the length of time it takes to suffer a burn without sunscreen, because the amount of sun exposure a person receives is dependent upon more than just the length of time spent in the sun.

Generally, it takes less time to be exposed to the same amount of solar energy at midday compared to early morning or late evening because the sun is more intense at midday relative to the other times. Solar intensity is also related to geographic location, with greater solar intensity occurring at lower latitudes. Because clouds absorb solar energy, solar intensity is generally greater on clear days than cloudy days. Additionally, other factors such as your skin type, amount of sunscreen applied and reapplication frequency influence the amount of solar energy exposure.

Sunbathers often assume that they get twice as much protection from SPF 100 sunscreen as from SPF 50. The SPF scale is not linear and in reality, the extra protection is negligible. Properly applied SPF 50 sunscreen blocks 98 percent of UVB rays; SPF 100 blocks 99 percent. When used correctly, sunscreen with SPF values in the range of 30 to 50 will offer adequate sunburn protection, even for people most sensitive to sunburn.

MINERAL SUNSCREENS

Mineral sunscreens are made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These minerals sit on the surface of your skin and physically reflect sunlight away from the skin. They can be thick and take a little longer to rub in but mineral sunscreens offer many benefits:

  • Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide do not absorb into the skin and provide sun protection as soon as they are applied.
  • Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide protection against UVA and UVB rays.
  • Zinc oxide has strong anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS

Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays into the skin. Then, by a chemical reaction, transform UV rays into heat and release that heat from the skin.  While chemical sunscreens are easier to apply than mineral sunscreens, they have many downsides:

  • You must wait 15-20 mins after application before it provides adequate protection.
  • The chemical reaction occurs under the skin’s surface, increases skin temperature and may cause redness.
  • Multiple chemicals are required to achieve high SPF and UVA + UVB protection, and many cause skin irritation.
  • Oxybenzone, a common ingredient, may be linked to hormone disruption.

We Recommend…

Use a broad spectrum mineral sunscreen.

Stay away from aerosols, you are likely not applying a thick enough coating and it is not something you want to inhale.

Reapply every 2 hours for maximum protection. Everyday activities, friction with clothing, water sports, and sweat can all reduce the amount of sunscreen on your skin.

Badger Sunscreen Cream SPF30

  • Only 5 ingredients: Zinc oxide, Sunflower oil, beeswax, vitamin E, and Sea buckthorn
  • Unscented
  • Water and sweat resistant up to 40 minutes
  • Biodegradable, Coral reef friendly, eco-friendly packaging

Thinksport Sunscreen SPF50+

  • Excellent choice for outdoor activities and water sports
  • Water and sweat resistant up to 80 minutes
  • Kid Safe

Products we recommend on Amazon are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.



Tweet Share Pin It Email

Also in Blog

woman in red shirt smelling lavender flowers
Aromatherapy 101 Essential Oils
Find Your Favorite Fragrance

December 08, 2022

Our sense of smell is closely linked to memories and certain scents can evoke powerful emotions. There are at least ten thousand odors humans can recognize and everyone has a different sensitivity to fragrances and perceives smells differently. Aromatherapy is the art of using essential oils from plants to improve our physical and psychological well-being.
New Product Neroli Roll-on
Beauty Essential Oils Skin Care
New Product Neroli Roll-on

August 18, 2022

Released this summer, enjoy the bright, floral-citrusy-sweet scent of Neroli Essential Oil, pre-diluted and packaged in a handy roll-on bottle. Sourced from the small white flowers of the bitter orange tree, neroli is distinguished from orange blossoms by the method of extraction. Our Organic Neroli Oil is steam distilled.
singing bowl and crystals next to a roller bottle of silk road organic's meditation essential oil blend
Essential Oils Meditation
Introducing New Meditation Blend

May 23, 2022

Our new meditation blend is perfect for adding to a mindfulness practice. Mindfulness, with its roots in Buddhist meditation, is the act of focusing on the present moment rather than over-processing the past or worrying about the future. Meditations that focus on breathing exercises and scanning the body support staying present and can reduce anxiety and depression as well as lower blood pressure and improve sleep.

+Recent Articles

  • Find Your Favorite Fragrance
    December 08, 2022
  • New Product Neroli Roll-on
    August 18, 2022
  • Introducing New Meditation Blend
    May 23, 2022
  • Defining Self-Care: Ideas to Take Better Care of Yourself, Breathe
    May 05, 2022
  • Essential Oils, The Perfect Gift for Her
    April 21, 2022
  • The Art of Aromatherapy
    January 31, 2022
  • Products We Love: Radiation-Proof Apparel by Lambs
    December 30, 2021
  • Essential Oils to Help You Stick to Your New Year's Resolutions
    December 27, 2021
  • Top Tips for Holiday Wellness
    December 08, 2021
  • Make Your Winter Skin Glow with Tea Tree
    November 29, 2021

+Categories

  • Aromatherapy 101
  • Beauty
  • Books
  • DIY
  • Essential Oils
  • Gemstones
  • Meditation
  • Red Silk Essentials
  • Skin Care
  • VitaJuwel
  • Water
  • We Love
  • Yoga

Subscribe

Join the wellness conversation for aromatherapy tips, special offers and more.

Customer Care
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Policies
  • Contact Us
  • Amazon Store
Subscribe

Join the wellness conversation for aromatherapy tips, special offers and more.

Silk Road Organic

Always Pure. Always Organic.


© 2023 Silk Road Organic™. Products we recommend on Amazon are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Powered by Shopify

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Get $10 off your first order of $25

Plus tips for using your essential oils, exclusive promotions and more inspiration for living an organic lifestyle, straight to your inbox.

Join the wellness conversation today!