By Lauren Moy, MD
The word “clean” for skin care is misleading. Clean can be referring to many things -- the way products are made, the packaging of the products, the ingredients, and more. It is a broad term that sounds friendly and happy to people (who doesn’t want to be clean?) so marketing in this way can be both confusing and misleading for consumers.
When selecting sunscreen, it’s important to note that there are 2 types: chemical and physical/minerals. Chemical sunscreen is made of synthetic ingredients and mineral is made of natural ingredients (zinc/titanium dioxide). Mineral sunscreens sit on the surface on the skin to reflect UV rays while chemical sunscreen absorb UV rays.
Physical/mineral sunscreens are considered to be the “clean” choice, and have a much better impact on reducing the effects of premature aging due to sun exposure. An SPF 30 or higher is preferred and reapplication every couple hours depending on activity, sweating, rubbing.
Here are a few of our favorite clean sunscreens to keep you glowing this summer:
1. Saie Sunvisor – Serum, Moisturizer and Sunscreen in one SPF 35 - $37
2. Elta MD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47 (4 oz) - $29.50
3. Eleven by Venus Williams – Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35 - $50
4. Kinship Self Reflect – Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen, Zinc Oxide SPE 32 - $26
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