Sun protection

Physical sunblock versus chemical sunscreen – What’s best for me? - By Jane Dooley

Let’s start with the reason why it’s vital that we wear sun protection every single day - rain, hail or shine!

The sun is the number one cause of premature skin ageing.

It is responsible for wrinkles, sagging, thinning, pigmentation and overall deterioration of the skin.

It is estimated that up to 90% of premature skin ageing is due to the sun, so protection is crucial.

No matter how diligently you use great skincare, if you neglect sun protection, your efforts are in vain.

A study by the Monash University, showed that Australia’s proximity to the equator and high sun elevation means we face a higher level of UV radiation than people in other parts of the world. This means that it’s even more important that Australians use sun protection every single day.

Sun protection can be divided into two categories. Physical Sunblock and Chemical Sunscreen

Physical Sunblock

A physical sunblock sits on the surface of the skin and creates a barrier of protection from the sun’s rays. Instead of the damaging rays being absorbed, the sunblock reflects and scatters them away from the skin.

Sunblocks containing Zinc oxide also have the added benefit of anti-inflammatory and healing properties, making them a great choice for sensitive skin.

Traditionally, physical sunblocks were known to be quite thick and opaque but modern formulas are micronised to produce a lighter and sheerer texture.

Chemical Sunscreen

These sunscreens penetrate the skin and work by absorbing UV rays like a sponge. Although effective in helping prevent skin cancers, the process involved can result in the formation of free radicals deep in the skin which then can lead to premature skin ageing and damage. The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens include avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone.

These sunscreens are often light weight and easy to apply however re application every 2-3 hours is advised.

At Nectar Day Spa, we use and recommend a physical sunblock.

Mineral Pro is a SPF 30+ with 20% Zinc Oxide as its active ingredient.

It provides a layer of minerals to create a physical barrier between your skin and the sun shielding it from both UVA and UVB rays.

It also contains the antioxidant Resveratrol and a skin conditioning peptide for further protection and anti-ageing benefits.

We love it because it is light in texture, comes in tinted and untinted, smells amazing and protects us from premature ageing.

Nectar Day Spa customers wanting to buy Mineral Pro online can do so simply by creating an account, then clicking on the VIP O COSMEDICS category in Skincare.

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