Tis the season to be jolly, the season of bathing costumes, water sports and the braai. Time to ensure daily application of a good SPF. But is simply applying SPF enough? There’s a lot more to sun protection than meets the eye and not all SPFs are created equal. Time to get better educated. To keep your family safe, here’s a checklist for SPF shopping as well as overall sun safety:

Label Language

BROAD SPECTRUM SPF? Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with high SPF daily. SPF stands for sun protection factor, a measure of how well sunscreen protects against UVB rays. Make sure you select a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects you from both types of UV light: UVA and UVB. UVB rays are the main cause of reddening and sunburn and therefore the most damaging to skin where skin cancer occurs.

PA++++? What does PA indicate: simply put it shows the level of protection from UVA rays. And the +'s is the highest level you can get. This is a Japanese measurement ranking and is based on the Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD) reaction reading at 2.4 hours of sun exposure.

CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS These chemicals (organic carbon-based compounds) absorb UV rays and convert them to heat which is them released by the skin. These sunscreens penetrate the skin, are absorbed in order to perform their SPF function.

PHYSICAL SUNSCREENS/ MINERAL SUNSCREENS These create a barrier that blocks and reflects UV rays before they reach the skins surface. The active ingredients include zinc oxide and / or titanium oxide. They act as a physical barrier that sits on top of the skins surface and is not absorbed into the skin.

What to buy?

QMS Cellular Sun Shield SPF 50+ PA++++ This is a powerful formulation with balanced UVA/UVB sun protection and an innovative DNA-repair complex.
So, this QMS product goes beyond and offers the best broadband spectrum sunscreen that is 100% percent safe

iS clinical ECLIPSE SPF 50+ Formulated specifically for daily use and extended outdoor activities, the is a unique fusion of scientifically advanced physical sunscreens. Transparent titanium dioxide and micronized zinc oxide, coupled with pure vitamin E, it provides superior water-resistant broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Its Ultra-sheer, fast absorbing with a weightless finish and comes in tinted as well.

DOCTOR BABOR Protect Cellular Protecting Balm SPF 50 is a lightweight Protecting Balm that is quickly absorbed without becoming sticky. This Chemical sunscreen uses the PROTECT CELLULAR Signature active ingredients, it contains a complex of beta-glucan and panthenol, which provides intensive soothing and regeneration of the skin. It provides a 360° protection against premature skin aging caused by UV and environmental factors and I find this product ideal for intense activities.

IN SHORT: You need to scan the active ingredient label of whatever product you choose to make sure the product contains UVA-blocking elements and you need to remember to throw the product after 12 months, though it shouldn’t last that long if used daily.

DECEMBER Safe Sun Practices

o Apply sunblock to entire body 30 minutes before going to the water and reapply every 2 hours or immediately after swimming or sweating. o UV rays are strongest in the middle of the day, between 10 am and 4 pm. Seek shade between these hours and cover up. o Most of the sun exposure that ages us comes from the windows of our car or home. Another reason to wear sunblock daily.
o Remember how we mention the benefits of Vitamin C in our September newsletter? Double up on safety by using a concentration of topical vitamin C products under your sunblock. The extra C boosts the immune defense of your skin cells against UV damage, while reducing the appearance of pigmentation. o Please examine skin head-to-toe monthly for changes in skin and see a doctor yearly for a skin exam.

If you find all these a little too overwhelming, you’re not alone. We had enough of a stressful year and choosing the right sunblock should not be a major stressful event! Just ask one of our specialists at any Legacy Balance Spa to help you choose the right formulation and texture to suit your skin and daily activities and while you are at your favorite Spa book yourself the monthly promo, after all pleasure is an antidote to stress.

Holiday Checklist 60 mins full body massage Express pressure point foot massage Package Time 90 Mins for R 850 Available for the month of December 2022 and subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply