I want to preface this article with: WEAR SUNSCREEN.

UVA, UVB, blue light damages our cells, has the potential to damage our DNA, and speeds up the aging process. Think: lines, wrinkles, laxity, sun/age spots, various skin lesions. All the fun stuff!

So, find a sunscreen you like and wear it – on your face, neck and hands. DAILY.

Every year, Freedom Medi-Spa does extensive research on sunscreen and the ingredients in our favourite formulas. If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we’re pretty passionate about it.

The good news is: there are a lot more options on the market than there were even a few years ago. The bad news is: no two suncreens are made equally, even if they’re the same brand. So you really need to exercise consumer awareness and read every.single.label so you’re not buying something you want to avoid.

So, what’s a good sunscreen?

You want to look for a sunscreen with mineral ingredients – like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide – and without ingredients like Oxybenzone. Oxybenzone is a harmful chemical and should be avoided at all costs. To read more about ingredients in your sunscreen, head to our Blog and search sunscreen and you’ll find lots of past research.

As we mentioned, many companies have come into the SPF space and started manufacturing their own sunscreens, including beauty brands found at Sephora, Drug, and Department stores. This year, we thought we’d change things up and dive deep into the Active Ingredients in many popular beauty brands and let you know if they pass our Freedom sunscreen test.

When in doubt, follow my personal SPF Tips:

1. Wear SPF daily on your face, neck & hands. I recommend only mineral-based, as there is little-to-no absorption into the bloodstream and is the safest choice – especially if you’re wearing it daily.
2. If you are going to be in full sun (yes, it sounds like you’re a plant), I recommend reapplying your sunscreen every 2 hours. Especially if you are choosing to use a chemical sunscreen, as they breakdown easily and most of them are not giving you the protection they are claiming on the bottle.
3. On the daily, I usually apply approximately a nickel-size amount for my face. Remember, if you will actually be IN the sun, I recommend applying more. A proper application for face and neck is approximately 1/2 tsp.
4. Working near a window? Driving for hours a day? If you are getting full sun exposure for more than 2 hours, I recommend reapplying your SPF on any areas that are seeing the sun, to properly protect your skin. If you are wearing makeup, a powder SPF is key and easy to brush on over makeup and carry in your purse.
5. If you aren't already using a daily Vitamin C (hint hint - you should be), I recommend applying your C on a cleansed dry face allowing max absorption, and then applying your moisturizer/SPF.

Vitamin C (especially L’ascorbic acid) is a strong antioxidant that will help to protect your DNA all day long. Think of your SPF as the doorman to a nightclub – no one is getting by them, but if the odd person does, the C boots that guy right out!

If you have one takeaway from this year’s report: WEAR DAILY SPF YEAR ROUND on your face and hands. Even a higher risk option is better than choosing not to wear it at all.

Wearing sunscreen daily is almost like wearing a seatbelt; years ago, many people didn’t, but now we know better and are making smarter decisions. WEAR IT AND BE SMART! All the cool kids are doing it. 😉

As always, if you have any questions about sunscreen use, or you’d like to try one of our mineral-based sunscreen products, call us at 647-799-0400.