Some of us have been around long enough to have seen or used many different skin products boasting benefits related to sun exposure. Remember coconut oil and reflectors? Or ‘don’t be a paleface!’ If only we had known then what we know now.
Now we know the last thing our skin needs is more sun. Now we know those years of enhancing tans has left us with wrinkles and all kinds of skin cancers. Now we know that we should be doing exactly the opposite of what was recommended in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Yet even with our current knowledge there is still a fair amount of confusion about the differences between sun lotions, sunscreens, sun blocks, sun filters etc. So I thought it would be interesting to make note of the differences. Hope this helps.
The words “sun lotion” are used interchangeably with sunscreen, sun block, tanning lotion and tanning screen, yet each has a different definition.
Sun lotion is a term from the 1950’s used to describe liquid products that keep the skin moisturized while enhancing tans. Sunscreens were developed in the 1970’s to block out UVB, which was known to burn the skin. Sun block means the ingredients contain a physical blocker, such as zinc oxide, that block suns rays from reaching the skin. Tanning lotion and tanning screens are terms similar to sun lotion and sun screens. While all this may be confusing, it is easy to understand if you focus on the second word in each term.
Sun lotions still contain moisturizers, but they also contain chemicals categorized as screens or blocks. Read the label. Always look for the words “broad spectrum” which means it works to protect you against both UVA and UVB. Then decide if you want a screen or a block.
Screen means to filter out. This is done by chemicals that absorb UVR before it penetrates the skin. Originally sunscreens only filtered out, or absorbed, UVB. Now broad-spectrum sunscreens filter both UVA and UVB. Sunscreen can be produced as lotions, gels, foams and sticks. While sunscreen may contain moisturizers, it may not be the main ingredient. Always look for sunscreens with a SPF30 or higher if you know you will be outdoors. If you are wearing it as part of your daily moisturizing routine, and SPF15 should suffice.
Block means to physically block out sunrays. To do this ingredients must contain chemicals that reflect UVR away from the skin. These would include zinc oxide, micronized zinc, etc. avobenzone (parsol 1789) or titanium dioxide. Sun blocks usually come in the form of lotion or creams for easy application. I wear blocks when I know I will be outdoors. I think it is the safest and most effective way to protect any skin not covered with sun protective clothing.
Many sunscreens contain a mixture of absorbers and reflectors. In recent years, as the importance of using these products has become more well known, pharmaceuticals have created news ways of presenting them. They are now available in sprays, creams, mousses, lotions, moisturizers, hypoallergenic formulations, waterproof and sweat proof.
When you are buying any kind of sun lotion, think about when you will use it. Remember that sun protective clothing should always be your first method of protection, with sunscreen or block used only on the skin left exposed. For many, especially women when they are swimming, this includes legs. So a possible strategy would be to use a sun block on the face and neck, and a sunscreen on the legs. Buy a few different small samples and decide which feels the best and is easiest to apply.
Read the labels and carefully protect yourself from UVR.
