Use Sunscreen With Other Preventions

The U.S foood and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) findings agree that sunscreen usage is only part of a balanced sun protection that includes covering up and seeking shade.

Sunscreen & Water Resistance

Article source: Ivana Veljkovic, Ph.D, PCA Skin.

The definition of an emulsion is a combination of minute droplets of one substance into another in which it is not soluble. The two most common emulsions are oil in water and water in oil.

These two emulsions make up the bases for most creams and lotions on the market, including sun protection products. During the manufacturing process, the ingredients are incorporated in different phases. The most common and most cosmetically elegant emulsion is oil in water This leaves the water phase on the outside when it is rub bin in, giving the product an appealing finish on the skin. Sunscreens that are not designed to be water-resistant are typically formulated with oil in water emulsion bases.

A water in oil emulsion leaves the oily phase on the outside, and since oil is not soluble in water, it creates a 'water resistance.'

Basic water resistance is measured in static water. Over time, the product dissolves away from the skin. The amount of time it takes to fall below the specification for its stated SPF is the time of water resistance. Products that can remain effective in dynamic water for 80 minutes are the peak of the standard.

Tamara's carries PCA's Active Broad Spectrum SPF 45: Water Resistant sunscreen. This is a unique product for many reasons. Although it is a water in oil emulsion, it is light and cosmetically elegant, as well as water-resistant in dynamic water for 80 minutes. Even water-resistant sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours or after vigorously toweling off skin.

Sunscreen & The FDA

The FDA (Federal Drug Administration) recently extended the compliance date for their final rule regulating over-the-counter sun protection products, labels and drug claims.

Under the new rule all labels claiming broad spectrum protection must have an SPF of 15 or higher and pass specific FDA testing. Restrictions on packaging claims will allow an SPF of 15 or higher to state that it can reduce the risk of skin cancer and early signs of aging, while an SPF of lower than 15 can only claim to help prevent sunburn.

Manufacturers will no longer be able to label sunscreens as "waterproof". However, with proper testing, they can claim "water-resistant" and must state its effectiveness, either 40 or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating.

Sunscreen products must have a clear and accurate Drug Facts listing on the container.

The sunscreen products carried by Tamara's are already compliant with the FDA regulation. However, the packaging is not so that will be changing over the next few months. So same great products and upgraded packaging.