Okay beach bunnies, Beach season is in full swing! It’s finally time to break out the beach bag and check your stock of sun protection. Many people have separate body and face sunscreens, due to preference on texture, coverage and protection.
No matter the case, throw your SPF out if it is lacking one specific ingredient…zinc. A physical blocker(titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) sits on top of the skin and protects against damaging rays by scattering light and reflecting it away like a mirror. Zinc oxide is the only ingredient that has your ability to block both UVA and UVB rays, earning the name “broad spectrum”. If your spf doesn’t include zinc, throw yours out!
I, like most Space Coast residents, have started to venture outside to enjoy our sun season, and opened my bag to find a separated oily/watery mess of my body sunscreen. A little shake, and good as new? No. Expired product not only loses it’s efficacy, but applying an expired sunblock that has metals incorporated that can attract sun rays and give zero protection. Checking your expiration date is the second thing (after checking if it contains zinc) you need to do before venturing out. Usually expiration dates are roughly 12-18 months from bottling. Products usually deteriorate quicker if being left in extreme heat (go figure), sun and higher humidity.
A good rule of thumb is to replace your spf once a year, if not needing to replenish sooner. I apply the American Skin Cancer Association recommended dose of 1 shot glass full of sunblock to my face, hands, forearms and chest for prevention against the premature signs of sun damage.
Finding it’s time to replace yours? Come into Millefiori for a wide variety of tinted and sheer broad spectrum sunblocks by Skinceuticals, a medical grade skincare line. Have sun damage already that you are looking to reverse? We always offer complimentary consultations for all our services, including chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser rejuvenation. Call (321) 822-4778 today!
Till next time Melbourne! Love the skin you’re in.
-A