Ask Abbey – Are some sunscreens better than others? What’s the difference?

Ask Abbey*:

Q. Are some sunscreens better than others? What’s the difference?

A. I always tell people when it comes to sunscreen it’s really not the number you need to look at, it’s the ingredient.

There are chemical blocks (seen in a lot of spray sunscreens) and there are physical blocks that truly block the UVA and UVB rays (titanium and zinc oxide are our favorites). Both UVA and UVB rays are damaging to the skin short and long term. Such things as hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, broken capillaries, wrinkles, loss of collagen, actinic keratosis and, of course, the development of skin cancers is how our skin responds to sun exposure.

We are often told “My makeup has sunscreen in it.” Make sure you are looking at the ingredient not the number – many makeups just don’t have enough sunblock in them!!

Here is a great breakdown of physician v. chemical sunscreens from skinacea.com. If you have additional questions about what sunscreens are right for your skin and lifestyle, give us a call at 502-589-8000.