Not all sunscreens are created equal.
The use of sunscreens has increased over the years, thanks to a greater awareness of just how damaging the sun’s ultraviolet rays can be. And its immediate benefit is that you can enjoy being out in the sun so much more when you’re not fretting over potential sunburns. There is comfort in knowing that there are products that help protect you from the sun.
But have we been falsely confident all along?
Studies now show that regular sunscreens1 may not be as effective in blocking out the sun’s rays as previously believed.
Some of the sunscreens out in the market today are all about SPF, and while that’s an important number, it doesn’t give us the full story. It’s only a measure of how much ultraviolet-B (UVB) protection a sunscreen can give you. But what about UVA protection?
Knowing your ABCs.
Here are the facts: our sun is constantly sending out three types of ultraviolet radiation our way. These are UVA, UVB, and UVC rays.
UVC is the most destructive type of all because it can wreak havoc on our DNA. But the good news it that it gets filtered out by our ozone layer long before it reaches the earth.
UVB is the most documented type of UV radiation. Apart from causing sunburns, it’s been known to trigger skin cancers. When we talk about SPF, we’re referring to a product’s ability to block out UVB rays.
UVA is the most overlooked type of radiation in sun protection. There’s a common misconception that these rays aren’t as dangerous as all the others. But now recent findings are telling us that UVA is definitely a cause for concern.
Even though UVA can’t harm your DNA directly, it has several indirect ways of getting to your system and initiating tumors. It penetrates deeper into your skin than UVB does, causing slow but irreversible damage over time. It’s a big proponent of photo-aging, creating leathery skin and unsightly wrinkles that make you look older than you really are.
Finding the right cover.
Now that you know what you need to hide from, where do you go for the perfect cover?
It’s true that a lot of sunscreens out there today contain ingredients that can protect you from both UVB and UVA. But that’s not all you should be looking out for, either.
Scientific analysis suggests that these sunscreens are liable to break down too easily after being exposed to the sun. Dermatologists all over the world agree that sunscreens need an additional UVA stabilizer to extend their ability to guard against UV radiation.
It’s this missing ingredient that the entire sun protection industry sought to discover. But it took a leader in dermatologist-recommended skin care products to come up with an effective solution.
After investing extensively in research and tests, Neutrogena® has found what is possibly the most important breakthrough innovation in sun care products today.
It’s called Helioplex Technology™, and what it does is stabilize UVA protection to make it more effective and longer-lasting. It combines two powerful sunscreens to give you the UVA/UVB protection you can rely on.
It’s also found exclusively in Neutrogena® Ultra Sheer™ - a line of superior sun protection products brought to you by the brand recommended by dermatologists.
Since its launch in 2008, Neutrogena® Ultra Sheer™ has already been proven so effective that 8 out of 10 women who’ve tried it say it’s the best sunscreen they’ve ever had2.
If you, too, want to shield your skin from the destructive effects of broad-spectrum radiation, this sunscreen may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Neutrogena ®Ultra Sheer™ helps stop the sun from sneaking up on you again3.
1 Suncreens with UVB protection only
2 TNS Survey on Sunblock/ Sunscreen, November 2008.
3 With proper sunscreen use
Find out more about the products here.