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• Eye Refining Matrix
• Multivitamin Sun Defense SPF15
• Tinted Sun Defense SPF30
• Oil Free Sun Defense SPF40

• Your Skin
• Understanding Acne
• Understanding Pigmentation
• Understanding Aging Skin
• Sun Protection for Your Skin

The effect of sunlight is more dangerous than most people think. Sunlight has a profound effect on the skin causing premature skin aging, skin cancer, and a host of skin changes.

Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, from sunlight can lead to:

1. Wrinkles
2. Pigmentation
3. Sagging skin
4. Broken blood vessels
5. Skin cancers

The Types of UV Rays

Sunlight contains three types of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC.

• UVA rays cause skin aging and wrinkling, and contribute to skin cancer, such as melanoma.
• UVB rays are also dangerous, causing sunburns, cataracts (clouding of the eye lens), immune system damage, and contributing to skin cancer.  Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is thought to be associated with severe UVB sunburns that occur before the age of 20.
• UVC rays are the most dangerous, but fortunately, these rays are blocked by the ozone layer and do not reach the earth.

SPF Protection Explained

Besides avoiding unnecessary sunlight exposure (especially from 10am to 3pm), another method to protect yourself is to use a protective sunscreen in order to minimize the penetration of the sun’s UV rays.

However, recent research shows that people who buy sunscreens are not sure exactly on the technical terms on their labels such as the SPF figures. They mistakenly believed that higher SPF ratings meant stronger UV protection, not longer protection.

SPF, an abbreviation for sun-protection factor, is a number such as 15, 30, or 50 that indicates the degree of sunburn protection provided by sunscreens. SPF is related to the total amount of sun exposure rather than simply the length of sun exposure. The amount of sun exposure depends upon a number of factors including the length of exposure, time of day, geographic location, and weather conditions. The SPF numbers make it easier for people to choose the sunscreen best suited to their complexions and conditions of exposure.

The chart below shows a chart on SPF values for various skin types depending on the amount of sunlight you are exposed to.

(Source:http://www.eucerin.com/typo3temp/pics/538c9f951d.jpg)