84% of All Women Skip Sunscreen

Can you believe it? According to a recent survey we conducted, 84% of women aren’t doing one of the easiest things to prevent photoaging, wearing sunscreen, despite the fact, ever-present UVA rays have been linked to skin aging*.

Here’s the thing – both UVA and UVB rays are damaging, though in different ways. The easy way to remember it is – UVA (aging) and UVB (burning). UVB rays can cause reddening and burning and are the most intense in bright sunshine, which is why people tend to wear sunscreen during the sunny summer months.

UVA rays, however, are present daily, even when it’s cool and cloudy (like during the fall and winter months), putting skin at risk for potential photoaging. UVA rays enter the skin more deeply than UVB rays, break down collagen and can play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling of the skin*. But even though these rays are ever present, most women are not protecting their skin from the damage it can cause on a daily basis.

Sunscreen should be just like a cleanser or moisturizer – an everyday, can’t miss step of your skin care routine. While it may sound good to have SPF already built into some skincare and makeup products, it may not be doing the job you think it is. Most of these products use ingredients like oxybenzone, which breaks down after a few hours in the sun. So, unless you’re re-applying your makeup every few hours, you do not have all day protection. Even more importantly, oxybenzone has been linked to hormone disruption.

Your best bet? Go for adding a broad-spectrum, sunscreen with a mineral UV filter to your repertoire.

Mineral filters sit on top of the skin and use active ingredients like zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide which activate immediately to physically block both UVA and UVB rays. We love zinc oxide because it’s the only mineral UV filter to protect against UVA-1, UVA-2, and UVB rays. On the other hand, chemical UV filters rely on active ingredients – like the above-mentioned oxybenzone – that take some 20 minutes to absorb into your skin before becoming active.

Our Essential SPF sunscreen contains 17% non-nano zinc oxide as the mineral UV filter. It is filled with good-for-you ingredients like non-GMO red raspberry oil, French plum seed oil, organic macadamia nut oil, and avocado oils among others that give your skin a luxurious look and feel. 

Do you fall into our 84% statistic and are hoping to up your sunscreen routine? Share in the comments below!