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MIND & BODY
The New Rules BEST FULL-BODY SUNSCREENS
of Sunscreen
FORGET ALL THE MISLEADING BS YOU’VE HEARD ABOUT
SUNSCREEN. HERE’S ALL HERE’S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO FIND PRODUCTS
THAT REALLY WORK. by MELAINA JUNTTI
EVERY YEAR, you hear some-
Sun Bum Pro Line Beyond Coastal Active
thing different about sunscreen — it's sunscreen SPF 50 + Sunscreen SPF 30 +
essential, it's toxic, they're all the A mineral block (see This avobenzone-based
Mineral vd. Chemi- sunscreen contains
same, SPF values are nothing but vitamins C and E, both
cal on the next page)
hype. We decided to cut through the enriched with vitamin E, of which boost skin’s
noise and go to the experts. First, it this stays put through UV protection. It’s also
rigorous water sports. water-resistant, stays
pays to know what you're buying — we tested it swimming, on skin, and includes
not all sunscreens are created equal, and it was still on after alpha lipoic acid, yerba
and some are worthless. "It's fine to 30 minutes of flip-turns help nourish skin.
in the pool $10; beyondcoastal.com
pick up any sunscreen off the shelf if $18; trustthebum.com
you don't care about sun safety,
premature aging, the health of your
skin, or the environment," says Dr.
Robert Friedman, a dermatologist at
NYU's Langone Medical Center. "But
if you care about any of these things
or you have sensitive skin, you need
to be careful about what you use."
How to do that? Follow these rules to
get an effective, safe sunscreen:
Jāsön Pure Natural Sun Eshu Moisturizing
1.Always buy broad spectrum. Products UV rays. Preliminary research also suggests it Sport SPF 45 Sunscreen SPF 30+
Natural brand Jāsön has A thin-but-potent lo-
labeled broad spectrum block UVA rays may lower sperm count and raise cancer risk. improved its sunscreens tion, Rshu uses avoben-
—the type that cause wrinkles and skin Instead, look for sunscreens with avobenzone, from thick and chalky to zone and is superlight
cancer — as well as UVB, which can also which works like oxybenzone but doesn't pose spreadable and sports- for a “barely there” feel.
cause cancer and burning. Those that aren't known health concerns. ready. This mineral- It spreads easily, and
chemical combo has mint, and citrus give it a
broad spectrum cannot claim to protect skin-protecting acai clean, fresh smell. Don’t
against skin cancer or early aging. 5.Avoid parabens. Synthetic preserva- extract, and lasted use if sysnthetic scents
tives that disrupt hormones and may stimu- through a sweaty irritate your skin.
2.There's no such thing as waterproof late cancerous tumors, parabens are found two-hour hike. $30; eshu.com.au
$10; jason-natural.com
or sweatproof. It's technically impossible in most commercial sunscreens, as well as
GROOMING BY LAUREN GOTT ARMTMIX CREATIVE, PRODUCTS: MICHAEL PIRROCCO
for a sunscreen to be waterproof or sweat- hundreds of other products like antiperspi-.
proof, says the FDA. Instead, sun- rant, shampoo, and face wash.
screens can be water-resistant, The most common types — meth-
SUN SAFETY
but only if they retain their origi- ylparaben, propylparaben, and
nal SPF (Sun Protection Factor) butylparaben — usually appear
after 40 minutes in water. last on ingredient lists, so a quick scan can
tell you whether to pass on a product. Also
3.If it says SPE 70, it's marketing hype. SPF avoid vitamin A, sometimes called retinyl
measures the percentage of UVB rays pahnitate, because it breaks down into toxic
blocked: SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of rays, free radicals when exposed to UV, causing
SPF 30 blocks 97 percent, and SPF 50 blocks skin to age and increasing cancer risk.
Banana Boat Natural Thinksport Livestrong
98 percent. Anything higher adds little extra Reflect Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreens SPF 50+
protection, which is why the FDA is consider- Sadly, few of the mass-market brands meet This all-mineral formula Thinksport’s heavy-
ing banning labels over SPF 50 from store these criteria. We analyzed the labels of may be the only sun- duty mineral formula
shelves. Dermatologists recommend an SPF screen you can find at a spreads evenly without
hundreds of full-body and daily facial generic pharmacy that clumping and has
between 30 and 50 for optimal protection. sunscreens and tossed out most because they meets all five rules. It’s jojoba, olive, and
didn't obey the five rules above. We then thick, doesn’t spread sunflower oils to repel
4.Beware of oxybenzone. This chemical is an tested the remaining lot while swimming, easily, and leaves a sweat and water. It has
active ingredient in most commercial faint white pallor, but it no chemicals, which are
running, hiking, and lying on lounge chairs, offers awesome broad- more easily absorbed
sunscreens, but it irritates skin and creates or, for the facial sunscreens, while at work. spectrum protection. when you exercise.
cell-damaging free radicals when exposed to See right for our top picks in both categories. $11; bananaboat.com $16; thinksport.com
photograph by DONNA TROPE MENS’S JOURNAL 54 JULY 2012
www.newyorkcenterforplasticsurgery.com
Everyday SPF Moisturizers
AT T H E O F F I C E A L L D A Y ? Y O U S T I L L N E E D A D A I LY F A C I A L S P F .
YOU WEAR SUNSCREEN whenever you go to
the beach, play golf, or take a long hike or run, but
what about before you go to work or run errands BEST DAILY FACE MOISTURIZERS
on the weekend? "Men buy sunscreen in the
summer, when they can relate to the dangers of
skin cancer and don't want to burn," says Ian
Ginsberg, pharmacist and owner of C.O. Bigelow
in New York. "But they're definitely not as
concerned with sun damage and photo-aging on a
daily basis." And that's a problem: If you're not
wearing sunscreen daily on your face — where WHAT ABOUT SPRAY-ON
most skin cancer occurs — you increase your
chances of developing the disease by 95 percent, SUNSCREENS?
while boosting your risk of wrinkles. brown spots, Dermalogica Pure L'Occitane Verdon Outdoor Spray-on sunscreens prevent
and leathery skin, says Dr. Robert Guida, a New Light SPF 30 Moisturizer SPF 30 your hands from getting full
York-based dermatologic surgeon. This light, mineral-based A chemical-mineral combo, of lotion, but dermatologists
For these reasons, "guys should use a daily moisturizer rubs in com- this cream has orange extract, saythey scatter too wide and
pletely clear but can feel which is rich in vitamin C, evaporate before glom-
moisturizer with SPF 15 or greater 365 days a grainy. It contains peptides and tocopherol, a natural form
year, even when not in direct sunlight," says Dr. — amino acids that promote of vitamin E. It's thick and ming onto skin. "Watch a
Guida. Yes, you need a daily sunscreen even if the skin-firming collagen — and doesn't rub on clear, but it will guy spray himself — he'll be
only sun you see is through a car window —stud- the antioxidant green tea be clear after your skin has a engulfed in a cloud of
ies show that Americans develop skin cancer extract with a mild scent. minute to absorb it. sunscreen, most of which
$60; dermalogica.com $32, usa.loccitane.com never actually touches his
more frequently on the left side of their faces,
while Brits develop it more often on the right. body," says Dr. John E. Wolf
And wearing sunscreen is just as important in the Jr., a dermatologist at Baylor
winter, when the sun is closer to the Earth and its College of Medicine. Plus,
rays are stronger, and on overcast days, when up many sprays are aerosol, and
to 80 percent of radiation passes through clouds. the FDA is still examining
How to protect yourself? Wear a daily moistur- whether that poses any
izer made specifically for the face that contains a health risks such as asthma.
broad-spectrum sunscreen. Dermatologists Save sprays for targeted
recommend SPF 30, but most mainstream areas like bald spots or along
moisturizers are SPF 15. You can find 30, but Elena Rubin Carpe Diem Jack Black Double-Duty your hairline, where lotion
you'll pay more, as moisturizers over 15 require SPF 28 Protecting Lotion Face Moisturizer SPF 20 can gunk up, says Dr. Mamie
Carpe Diem has no smell, Milky-thin, with a chemical Nussbaum, of the Melanoma
quality ingredients to keep them from feeling no chemicals, and doesn't SPF, this cream spreads
grainy. "Quality is dictated by how much particle Research Alliance. Look for
leave a chalky pallor, easily and gives skin a
pulverization happens in the lab, so you have to although it takes a few healthy glow. It also has a nonaerosol
pay more for better products," explains Elena seconds to rub in. It also has sea parsley, a rich source of pump like KINeSYS
Rubin, a skin-care formulator in Manhattan. Also squalane, an olive-derived vitamin C, and blue algae Alcohol-Free Spray
hydrating oil, and glycerin, a extract, which contains the Sunscreen SPF 30 ($19;
look for products with vitamins C and E or other natural lubricant. antioxidant vitamin E.
antioxidants, which help skin recover from UV kinesys.com), which is also
$49; elenarubin.com $27; getjackblack.com
rays and sun damage. sweat-resistant.
MINERAL VERSUS CHEMICAL: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
BEST LIP BALM Chemical sunscreens rely on
synthetic chemicals, or filters, to
rather than sinking into it, but
since they create a physical
don't contain possibly harmful
filters, they can be difficult
Your lips are just as prone to skin
cancer as the rest of your face, so absorb rays. These filters soak into barrier, they can leave a white to spread and look white on skin.
"apply a broad-spectrum lip balm skin and can cause irritation and residue or cake on skin. Some There is also concern that mineral
that's at least SPF 15 every morn-
ing, and reapply religiously," says allergies. Some, like oxybenzone, products minimize these effects nanoparticles may sink into skin,
Dr. John E. Wolf Jr., a dermatolo- have been linked to hormone by using extremely small too, causing unknown health
gist at Baylor College of Medicine. particles of minerals, known as effects, but most brands don't
C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Balm disruption and cancer. Mineral
Stick-No-Shine SPF I5 sun¬screens use natural ingredi- nanoparticles. Which is best for specify whether they contain
One of the few commercial lip ents like zinc oxide and titanium you is a matter of personal nanoparticles. For the best mineral
balms without oxybenzone, this face and full-body sunscreens that
mineral-based balm goes on dioxide to physically deflect rays. choice: While mineral sunscreens
smooth and has a sharp, minty These minerals sit on skin tend to be safer because they spread clear, see our top picks.
scent. $7.50; bigelowchemists.com
www.newyorkcenterforplasticsurgery.com J U LY 2 0 1 2 55 MEN’S JOURNAL
