August Newsletter

From Defense to Offense –The Truth About Chemical Sunscreens

Health advisers touting the benefits of sunscreens with high SPF always forget to tell you that these so called protective skin products contain a high concentration of chemical UV-absorbers, which can end up inside your body. Many of those chemical compounds are endocrine disrupters and have estrogenic qualities.

In one study, researchers investigated skin absorption of three chemical UV-filters commonly used in sun protective cosmetics – benzophenone-3, octyl-methoxycinnamate and 3-(4-methylbenzylidene) camphor. Immediately after the first application, their level in blood plasma was negligible. However, in only 2 hours all three chemicals were detected in plasma. After whole body application of 2 mg/cm² of each sunscreen, the chemicals were detected in plasma even after 96 hours.

Some people believe that they can avoid the harmful effects of sunscreens by choosing natural reflective UV-protectors such as titanium dioxide. However, this is only partially true. In reality, good safety records exists only for pure reflective titanium dioxide in its natural form. The downside of using this form of titanium dioxide is that it adds a whitish hue to the skin, which is now considered undesirable.In their efforts to avoid a product that will give a "pasty" look, most modern cosmetic products contain nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, which have different chemical properties. One issue with this is that such chemicals can enter the skin cells. In fact, one study showed significant uptake of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in skin cells. At the same time, the cells’ viability and antioxidant level plummeted, while oxidative damage and cell death soared.

Another study demonstrated that titanium dioxide nanoparticles sized 4 nm, 10 nm, 21 nm, 25 nm and 60 nm induced free radical formation in cultured human skin cells, as well as decreased viability.

Thus, national obsession with sunscreens displaying high SPF ratings as well as consumers’ desire for invisible and easy to apply sun protective products (not to mention the advice to reapply those products every two hours) seem very dangerous in the light of recent data on skin penetration, oxidative damage and endocrine disruptive qualities of chemical and nano-sized UV-absorbers. Therefore, those who want to protect their skin should stick with the old fashioned mineral sunscreens, avoiding chemical UV-absorbers as well as nano-versions of the mineral ones.

Finally, don’t forget that a certain amount of sunlight is highly beneficial for your skin and can infuse your body with health and vigor. Sensible suntanning in the absence of alien chemicals is the key to beautiful skin.

References.

Janjua N.R. et al. Sunscreens in human plasma and urine after repeated whole-body topical application. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2008;22(4):456-61.

Shukla R.K. et al. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis in human keratinocyte cells. J. Biomed. Nanotechnol. 2011;7(1):100-1.

Xue C Nano titanium dioxide induces the generation of ROS and potential damage in HaCaT cells under UVA irradiation. J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2010;10(12):8500-7.

Better Suntan

Copper Sun Tanning and Firming Body Lotion - a sensible choice

Knowing that many sunscreen products not only fail to protect our skin from UV rays, but that they also contain alien chemicals that can increase skin damage leads to the question: How can you protect your skin? The answer is: choose wisely.

An ideal sun protective product should provide adequate protection against both UVB and UVA radiation, while blocking just enough UV-rays to still allow your skin receive beneficial sunlight for a light tan and vitamin D synthesis. Remember, no sunscreen can protect your skin if you fry it under the sun for hours. Those who promise you that kind of protection are lying. And the price that you pay for sunburn-free time on the beach may be too high, especially since your skin can be damaged without having any signs of sunburn.

 So to give you peace of mind as well as a beautiful tan, Skin Biology developed a revolutionary sun product Copper Sun Tanning and Firming Body lotion.

The first line of defense found in the Copper Sun Tanning Lotion is copper peptides including the GHK-Cu peptide. These potent peptides protect skin cells from oxidative damage by increasing the skin’s own antioxidant defense and by capturing and neutralizing many toxic products of peroxidation. They also speed up skin recovery and help produce new collagen and elastin in your skin, thereby reducing wrinkles.

The second line of defense is pure reflective titanium dioxide, which protects the skin from UVA and UVB radiations by diffusing sunlight from the skin. This UV-protector is non toxic and does not penetrate the skin as do other alien chemicals in sunscreen products.

The third line of defense is a unique mixture of naturally occurring protective antioxidants. These molecules capture free radicals and detoxify them before they have a chance to do any damage. This antioxidant mixture includes a variety of naturally occurring vitamin E forms – tocopherols and tocotrienols. They are much more potent that just alpha-tocopherol that is commonly used as vitamin E in other products. Lutein and licopene are two potent antioxidants found in tomatoes and some other veggies. They not only capture damaging free radicals, but also help vitamin E maintain its activity. Coenzyme Q is an antioxidant that shields energy producing organells  (mitochondria) in your skin.  As a result, your cells have more energy to repair the damage.

Finally, our lotion has moisturizing and soothing properties due to squalane – a healing bio-oil found on skin surface that has protective properties. It also contains aloe vera gel with natural moisturizing and healing power.

As a result, Copper Sun Tanning Lotion is a product with which you can confidently entrust your skin protection.

It gently covers your skin, soothing and moisturizing it. Its sun protective compounds stay on the surface of the skin, while its restorative, firming and healing ingredients will penetrate deeper, repairing underlying damage. It guards you from the most damaging consequences of UV-irradiation: free radical damage. And it gently diffuses and reflects  sunrays, without interfering with your beautiful tan!

Active ingredients: Copper peptides, squalane, titanium dioxide, allantoin, lavender oil, aloe vera gel, GHK copper, tocopherol and mixed tocotrienols, licopene, coenzyme Q-10, lutein.

Remember! To fully obtain the benefit from our Sun Tanning and Protective products, use sunlight in moderation. Avoid excessive sunbathing as well as mid-day sun. Morning hours are the best for healthy suntan