Now, I am not sure but have you ever come across the term ‘Sunblock’. Well, let me then tell you that this word doesn’t hold good at all. The reason being FDA (US federal drug administration) has passed out some guidelines regarding the labeling of sunscreens in which it makes it clear that the term ‘Sunblock’ is misleading and can’t be used anymore. Now, if you guys remember, I had done a very old post, my first post on sunscreens in which I had explained two types of sunscreen – chemical and physical sunscreens. So, yup, that’s the only classification which holds.
Sunscreen (Chemical Sunscreen)
- applied half hour before going out
- absorbs the sun rays to prevent damage to the skin
- has to be as close to skin as possible for maximum protection
- has to be reapplied to ensure effectiveness
Sunblock (Physical Sunscreen)
- has to be applied immediately before going into sun
- the ingredients deflect sunlight from the skin instead of absorbing
- should be the top most layer of products applied so as to deflect the rays
- has to be reapplied only if one is perspiring or during swimming or when it is raining or in any case where there is a likelihood of the product being washed away
Now, we come on to the ingredients of the sunscreens. Do check this link for extra information on more ingredients which are not FDA approved.
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| Approved Sunscreen Ingredients Chart from September 2006 given out by FDA |
So, if you are buying sunscreen, make sure your sunscreen has any or some of these ingredients listed above. Generally you will find avobezone and oxybenzone are most used in products like Lotus, Lakme and even in the dermatologist prescribed sunscreens. Now, from the chart, you can easily infer that though most of the ingredients provide adequate UVB protection, there are very few ones good at providing UVA protection.
What is Helioplex?
Helioplex is a patented technology of Neutrogena. As I mentioned above, avobenzone and oxybenzone are the most commonly used ingredients.
Avobenzone is a UVA blocker and Oxybenzone is UVB blocker but both ingredients are highly unstable, especially Avobenzone which breaks down pretty quickly (within half hour) when exposed to sunlight. So, Helioplex is a stabilizing formula developed by Neutrogena which harnesses the potent characteristics of Avobenzone and Oxybenzone to provide a broad-spectrum sunscreen which is stable.
What is Mexoryl?
Have you come across this term? Well, it was all in rage till very recently as the new ‘sunscreen’. So, referring back to the chart, check out the ingredient called ‘Ecamsule’. This ingredient is marketed by the name of ‘Mexoryl’ and the very reason it might have become very popular would be attributed to its characteristic of being a very good filter of UVA but unfortunately, it doesn’t give the broad-spectrum protection. This is a patent of Loreal. Check out this post by Sesame on better comparison of Helioplex and Mexoryl.
P vs C
Now I come to the most important part of the post. Referring back to the chart, you would find the fourth column very interesting. Most of the ingredients are chemical and only two are physical ingredients – Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Now, what makes physical ingredients different from chemical ingredients?
- Chemical Ingredients absorb the UV rays, as I mentioned above. So, where do this absorbed energy go? Inside our bodies. And, they becomes manifested as something which you would be familiar with ‘free radicals’. Yup, the very thing which makes us age.
Physical Ingredients just sit on the skin and deflect the sun’s rays.
- Chemical Ingredients are highly unstable and breakdown in the sun very easily. That is why one is supposed to apply the sunscreen frequently.
Physical Ingredients do not break down in sunlight and need not be reapplied frequently as frequently as the chemical sunscreens.
- Chemical Ingredients do not leave any white cast on the skin.
Physical Ingredients do. A disadvantage.
Over the last one year I have stopped using Neutrogena sunscreen. I now use a zinc oxide sunscreen only and have noticed that I have stopped tanning since I began using it. Nice post, thanks for sharing 😀
hey Tanveer…thanks a lot…btw which zinc oxide sunscreen are you using…yeah I started using MVO and its better than all chemical sunscreens…yeah zinc oxide does prevent tanning too!!!
What is Mvo >>?
IS it even better than Neutrogena…..??
hey, MVO is marie veronique organics…its a US brand and sinc oxie based sunscreen so yes, its better than neutrogena but it is very expensive.
I have reviewed it here: http://perfectskincareforyou.blogspot.in/2012/03/mvo-moisturizing-face-screen-product.html
suppose i Start using Neutrogena.
Then do i have to apply it only when i m going out in the sun or shall i apply it on regularly basis?
As most of the time I am at home.
hi…yes, apply it 30 minutes before you go into the sun as it takes time to activate!!! and, yes, its a good practice to apply sunscreen when indoors as well coz UVA rays penetrate glass doors!!! hope this helps 🙂
Hi Swati, great post and lots of information. Yes, the ingredients is the first thing that I look at when I buy a product. I believe in using natural products. My mother has always told how mint is good not just for the summer months but also as a natural anti-tan agent and has an anti-ageing elements. Off late, I have been using Parachute advansed body lotion summer fresh because it has mint, coconut milk and double sunscreen in it. It doubles up as a sunscreen and lotion.
hey Reshmi…great but no body lotion can be used as sunscreen.
Swati,tel me the best sunscreen that i ever put on my face exactly..
i would suggest neutrogena:
http://perfectskincareforyou.blogspot.in/2011/05/neutrogena-ultra-sheer-dry-touch.html
or if you don’t mind expensive things, then this is best:
http://perfectskincareforyou.blogspot.in/2012/03/mvo-moisturizing-face-screen-product.html
Can you use physical block under make up? It won’t be top layer, though.
yup it wouldn’t be top layer but if the physical block covers the face well, then its not an issue. you can get a tinted physical sunscreen which can act as makeup base as well!!!
i use lacto calamine.it contain zinc oxide and zinc carbonate is it ok for me.but it doesnt mention the spf label.