The Effects of Organic Sunscreen

The Effects of Organic Sunscreen
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According to the Cleveland Clinic, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. The sun can damage your skin if it isn't protected; doctors believe avoiding sun damage may decrease your chance of skin cancer. Sunscreen should be applied before you go outside each day, whether or not it is a sunny day. There are numerous brands of sunscreens on the market; choosing an organic sunscreen will provide you with the same protection as regular sunscreen, without the chemicals.

Sun Protection

An effective organic sunscreen won't break down in the sunlight. To achieve maximum protection, look for sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF), ultraviolet 'B' (UVB) and ultraviolet 'A' (UVA) protection; UVA rays penetrate the skin deeply and cause more damage than UVB rays. According to the Cleveland Clinic, too much sun can lead to damaged cells and blood vessels. Over time, your skin may appear dry and wrinkled. Therefore, applying sunscreen everyday, even if you don't typically burn, is very important.

Chemical-Free

According to HealthHype.com, organic products must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients. This means that organic sunscreens contain less artificial ingredients and chemicals than traditional sunscreens. However, in addition to looking for the organic label, pay attention to the SPF level of the sunscreen before purchasing. Aim to purchase an organic sunscreen with a high SPF that contains both UVA and UVB protection.

Safety

Organic sunscreens are safe to use, even for children. According to research reported to the Cleveland Clinic, children who regularly used sunscreen through age 18 experienced a 72-percent reduction in skin cancer prevalence later in life. However, regardless of your age, applying sunscreen each day is a good practice that will benefit you in the long run and may reduce skin damage. According to Natural Organic Sunscreen, sun damage is the number one cause of premature aging.

References

Article reviewed by Lauren Fritsky Last updated on: Jun 30, 2010

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