SUN SCIENCE

UV Rays

UV radiation is part of the electromagnetic (light) spectrum that reaches the earth from the sun. It has wavelengths shorter than visible light, making it invisible to the naked eye. These wavelengths are classified as UVA, UVB, or UVC, with UVA the longest of the three at 320-400 nanometers. UVB ranges from 290 to 320 nanometers. With even shorter rays, most UVC is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not reach the earth. Both UVA and UVB, however, penetrate the atmosphere and play an important role in conditions such as premature skin aging and skin cancers.

Why Use Natural Sunscreens

When choosing a sunscreen, protection from UV rays should be your top consideration. Natural sunscreen delivers the best UVA and UVB protection (also known as broad-spectrum coverage).

Natural Sunscreens

Uses active mineral ingredients, such as Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. They reflect the sun’s rays like a mirror to protect exposed skin. Mineral active ingredients do not break down as readily in the sun as chemical ingredients.

Chemical Sunscreens

Uses a combination of two to six of these active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate. They absorb rays in a chemical reaction that dissipates the heat back off the skin.

Cardinal Rules of Sun Exposure

REAPPLY SUNSCREENS FREQUENTLY! Sweating & swimming will dilute any sunscreen’s effectiveness. Next to inadequate SPF (or a total lack of protection), the failure to reapply consistently is the single biggest cause of burning! Under intense sun conditions, reapply at least every 30-40 minutes.

DON’T RUB IT IN! Research proves that the traditional method of rubbing sun care products quickly into the skin results in the rapid absorption of the lotion. This leaves the outermost layers of skin with far less SPF than you may require. DAB your sunscreen onto sun-sensitive areas, such as the nose and forehead, anywhere the bone is close to thin skin and then LAY the sunscreen on the rest of your body with a light motion. Wait 60 seconds before you slowly stroke the sunscreen, spreading it evenly over and into the skin.

TAKE FREQUENT SHADE BREAKS! Rather than sun-blasting your skin continuously for extended periods, take frequent shade breaks of 15 minutes or longer. Let your skin cool down & recover from the sun’s bombardment, about once every hour, you can handle more sun more safely this way!

KEEP SKIN MOISTURIZED WHILE IN THE SUN! Dry skin is far more likely to burn than moist skin which tans faster, deeper and your tan will last much longer. Natural Tone Organic Skincare’s rich natural sunscreens are formulated to keep skin deeply moisturized while in the sun.

NEVER EXPOSE BURNED SKIN TO MORE SUN! Heal your skin before resuming tanning. Burned skin will not tan, it will only get worse. Use Natural Tone Organic Skincare’s Recovery Gel to heal burns, and Natural Tone Organic Skincare’s Aloe Skin Conditioner & Hydrator to rehydrate and revitalize the skin before going back in the sun. Keep burned skin cool and try to minimize sweating through burned skin, to minimize chances of blistering. Never put waterproof sunscreens on sun-sensitive, pink, or burned skin. The waxes in waterproof products will interfere with your skin’s normal functions and with the healing process.

DON’T TRY TO SLAM-DUNK A TAN! If you’re starting off with fair skin, go easy for the first couple of days. Gradually get your skin accustomed to increased levels of UV light. A short time in the sun on the first day (with shade breaks), with progressively longer exposure on subsequent days works best. You’re far more likely to burn with fair skin that hasn’t seen strong sunlight for a while. When you have a base tan established, your skin is producing enough melanin to supplement the protection of your sunscreen. As you gradually get darker, you can extend your sun time, lower the SPF you’re using, and even use one of Natural Tone Organic Skincare’s fine tanning oils to accelerate and deepen the tan.

CONDITION YOUR SKIN BEFORE AND AFTER SUN EXPOSURE! Your skin should be hydrated, nourished, and healthy before any extensive sun exposure. During sun exposure, your skin works very hard defending itself, with melanin production being its primary biochemical weapon. After long sun exposure, you need to replenish the moisture and nutrients your skin has used while coping with the sun, which means that after-sun conditioning is critical, especially if planning more sun the next day. Natural Tone Organic Skincare’s Aloe Skin Conditioner & Hydrator is formulated to do both jobs, heal & revitalize your skin after sun exposure and prepare it to handle more sun the next day in the best possible condition. If you’ve had extensive sun exposure & gained a lot of colour (tan, pink, even red), then use Natural Tone Organic Skincare’s Recovery Gel before using the Aloe Skin Conditioner & Hydrator for best skin conditioning results.

COOL IT! If your skin overheats, it frequently reacts with a classic heat rash or otherwise known as prickly heat (red bumps & blotches — itchy too). This can quickly lead to easy burning, and it can spoil whatever great tan you may already have. Take those occasional shade breaks! Cool off in the water frequently, and REAPPLY your sunscreen! Avoid waterproof, sport block, sweat proof and baby block type sunscreens if spending extended periods in the sun. The petroleum bases in these products can contribute to skin overheating quickly! Use wax less products such as Natural Tone Organic Skincare’s natural sunscreens to allow your skin to function properly, and to help keep skin below that critical damaging temperature. Also avoid thick, heavy oils (like mineral oil), which can clog the pores & cause the same overheating problem as those waxy sunscreens.