I am sure we are all aware of the importance of sunscreen, not only within our morning skin care routine but re-applying throughout the day, on a daily basis no matter what season it is, whether the sun is visible or not. With that being said here are a couple of key points to remember when protecting ourselves from the sun.

What to look for when purchasing a sunscreen:

• The zinc percentage (Dr. Taub does recommend at least 5%)

• Water Resistant or not (Depending on one’s daily routine and lifestyle, vacation, etc.)

• Ingredients that are not only going to help prevent UVA & UVB sun rays but also help with their skin care concerns/problems.

• Physical sunscreens: Physical sunscreens protect your skin from the sun by deflecting or blocking the sun’s rays. Some names that we would recognize these by are Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide.

• Titanium dioxide protects against UVB rays, but not the full spectrum of UVA rays Zinc oxide protects against the entire spectrum of UVB and UVA rays. It’s important to note the difference between UVA and UVB: UVA = Aging

• Remains constant all year long

• Accounts for up to 95% of UV radiation reaching the earth

• Causes skin aging

• Can penetrate glass, requiring protection both indoors and out UVB = Burns

• Penetrates the epidermis

• Is the main cause of sunburn

• More intense than UVA rays

• Strongest in the summer, but filtered by glass

• Most all sunscreens work to block UVB rays.