The Best Sunscreen
July 13th 2009 21:09
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From Real Age available free on the web
The Best Sunscreen You Can Buy
When it comes to sunscreen, spending a fortune could actually harm your skin. For decent full-body protection, an average-size person needs to apply an ounce of sunscreen. That's the amount that fits in a shot glass . . . and probably a whole lot more than you're using. Which brings us back to the trouble with the pricey stuff: Even fewer people will use a full ounce every day when that amount costs $20.
Even though you've narrowed your choices to the cheaper stuff, there are still important decisions to be made. The best ingredient to reach for, especially if you're the impatient type, is an inexpensive product made with zinc oxide. These work immediately, unlike other blocks (called “chemical” blocks) that need at least 15 to 30 minutes to soak into your skin to be effective. Another plus for zinc oxide: It's now made in nanoparticle form, so it doesn't look like it did when you were a kid (in other words, you don't look like you've spread cream cheese on your face). One more plus: Zinc oxide protects against both types of damaging UV rays (UVA and UVB), helping to shield you from skin cancer and wrinkling.
Another okay option if you don't sweat: sunscreens containing titanium dioxide. These also reflect the sun's harmful rays, so you avoid sun damage. But the downside is that these titanium blends often turn white, making you look ghostlike when you sweat.
Not going to be outdoors much today? Wear sunscreen anyway. You get an amazing amount of exposure to UV rays when you don't expect to, so treat sunscreen like 30 minutes of walking -- never miss a day (no excuses!).
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