It’s SUMMER, so it’s also time to talk about SKIN CANCER!!! As a mother of four, I’m inundated with mom guilt. I worry about everything, and constantly hear that what I ORIGINALLY thought was good/healthy, is now a virtual DEATH TRAP for my kids. So I do my best to do my OWN research, and remember what my dad always says: “Everything in Moderation – even water can kill you.”[1]
Growing up on Mercer Island, in Washington State, you would likely find me lathered up in baby oil soaking in the sun on the dock for the brief 4-6 weeks of summer. I also was an ignorant teenager, who used tanning beds in high school to help “treat my acne.” Now that I know better, I try to do better – in moderation. I now avoid spending countless hours in the sun trying to look, as my oldest says a “chicken nugget” or an “Oompa Loompa.”
Most Americans know that skin cancer rates are on the rise.[2] The rates of melanoma have been rising for the last 30 years.[3] While disturbing, the increase in diagnoses, without proper research can result in widespread panic, which ultimately benefits big business (You do know Mom Guilt is a marketing strategy!!).[4] In the short 12 years before having my oldest and my youngest, doctors now highly recommend adding a vitamin D supplement to mothers exclusively breast feeding. Sometimes our solutions create new problems!
So which sunscreen is safe? Do your research. SPF is defined as Sun Protection Factor. A reading of SPF 10 means that you have 10 more minutes past the time when you would normally start to burn. If you burn after 30 minutes in the sun, and apply your sunscreen before heading outside, you assumingly have “bought” yourself an extra 10 minutes, so you can stay outside for a whopping 40 minutes. SPF designations are controlled by the Food and Drug Administration[5], and let’s be honest – anything that that the government does is riddled with red tape and loopholes. [6]
Not all sunscreens are created equal. Over the past several years, the ugly truth has been uncovered regarding some sunscreens! They might be causing MORE harm than they are preventing, AND they may actually be acerbating the creation of free radicals on our face and in our bodies! These types of sunscreens are CHEMICAL in nature, but are also most readily available at Target, Wal-Mart and Costco.
To get away from these risks, most dermatologists and other skin care experts recommend using so-called “physical” sunscreens like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Physical sunscreens, on the other hand—like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—are made of natural elements found on the earth, and are said to “block” or “scatter” UV rays so they never penetrate the skin in the first place.
In general, physical sunscreens are considered to be the safer options because they offer a more broad-spectrum protection and lack the hormone-disrupting effects.
For example, Zinc oxide has had a long history of use as a sun protection. It offers broad-spectrum protection, shielding you from both UVB rays, which cause sunburn, and UVA rays, which penetrate more deeply and may be more dangerous.
Zinc is an essential mineral that we actually need in our bodies for optimal function, and is the only active sunscreen ingredient approved by the FDA for infants under six months.[7]
Similarly, coconut oil, shea butter, Jojoba oil, sunflower oil and sesame oil, contain natural SPF properties.[8]
So where am I going with all of this? Many individuals apply sunscreen daily, but (1), they forget to apply the sunscreen in areas that they do not think of[9], (2) they forget to apply sunscreen in winter months and (3), the sunscreen wears off throughout the day.
Wearing MAKEUP actually provides an EXTRA layer of PHYSICAL sunscreen!!! Why? Most makeup contains zinc or titanium. And before you get all: “I want my makeup to be safe and natural” refer to rule #1: DO your own research!!! As said above, zinc and titanium, along with other minerals and oils are NATURAL and are proven to help reduce the harmful effects of the sun. However, there are a lot of makeup brands, which contain CHEMICALS (verses physical properties), which, like sunscreen, can be harmful. As always-- buyer beware.[10] Younique skincare and makeup adheres to the European Standards, which are higher and ban more harmful chemicals that American Standards. I have been so impressed with learning about the way Younique finds it’s ingredients and uses them! Our website lists the ingredients to EVERY product so you know exactly what you are buying![11]
So yes, you will see me at the pool wearing makeup. And I’ll tell you why. I want ANOTHER layer of protection on my face. After four pregnancies, I do not need anymore dark spots. The thinnest areas of skin are often the most susceptible to those harmful rays, and yet, we normally forget about our eyelids and lips when applying sunscreen. Wearing a matte nude eye shadow, can protect that delicate skin, while lipstick or a lip balm can similarly protect your lips!
I might be crazy wearing makeup to the pool, but I’m CRAZY SAFE (more or less!).
If you are interested in learning more about Younique, and it’s products, please let me know! Or you can visit my website at: www.lesliesluxelashes.com
[1] Steve Marshall, my dad.
[2] https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts
[3] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer.html
[4] The annual cost of treating skin cancers in the U.S. is estimated at $8.1 billion: about $4.8 billion for nonmelanoma skin cancers and $3.3 billion for melanoma.5
[5]See generally, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/guidancecomplianceregulatoryinformation/guidances/ucm330694.htm
[6] A product's SPF refers to its ability to deflect ultraviolet rays. To calculate this figure, scientists gather 20 human volunteers who are especially susceptible to sunburn. According to FDA guidelines, volunteers must have a skin type of I, II, or III on the Fitzpatrick phototyping scale. (The categories correspond to the amount of pigment present in the skin: Very fair blonds or redheads are Type I, while those with dark brown or black skin are Type VI.) Using a device called a "solar simulator," experimenters irradiate a small patch of skin on each subject and then record the UV dose required to produce mild redness (in scientific parlance, the "minimal erythematic dose"). After applying a thick layer of sunscreen, the experimenters repeat the test. Then they divide the MED needed to redden the protected skin by the MED needed to redden bare skin. The result, rounded down to the nearest five, is the SPF. See generally, http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2007/08/how_do_they_measure_spf.html
[7] See generally, https://www.annmariegianni.com/why-we-use-zinc-in-our-safe-natural-sun-protection/
[9] The eyelids, lips, in between toes, backs of legs and ears neck are usually forgotten.
[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caveat_emptor
[11] Cyclopentasiloxane: conditions and provides a silky feel to the skin.
Dimethicone: helps protect the skin and gives a soft, velvety feel.
Titanium Dioxide: is a natural mineral that gives you some color.
Methicone: helps spread the product on the skin.
Isododecane: is an emollient that helps to spread the product on the skin.
Disteardimonium Hectorite: is a natural mineral used as a thickener.
Propylene Carbonate: works to help carry other ingredients.
Vinyl Dimethicone: gives a silky feel and helps to reduce shine.
Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer: gives a silky feel and helps to reduce shine.
Phenyl Trimethicone: helps to nourish and condition the skin.
Isohexadecane: is an emollient that provides a non-greasy, light, and silky feel to the skin.
PEG-10 Dimethicone: is an emollient that works to help protect the skin.
Iron Oxide (CI 77499-Black): is a mineral that adds color to the product.
Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides: come from coconut and help to enhance spreadibility.
Alaria Esculenta Extract: is derived from brown algae and supports the skin’s cell metabolism.
Talc: is an anticaking agent and absorbent.
Hydrogen Dimethicone: helps protect the skin.
Trimethylsiloxysilicate: conditions the skin and helps the product stay in place once applied.
Parfum: makes the product—and you—smell good. See, https://www.youniqueproducts.com/leslielewallen/products/view/US-21403-00#.WxaIm62ZOgQ
