Searching for best UVA protection
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skin Care and Makeup Forum

free skin care · Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:27 pm

Hello,
I hope someone can solve my dilemma. I have been a faithful sunscreen user forever, but I'm afraid of the rumors that what was available on the market in 80's and 90's -and even until more recently- was mostly UVB protection, and not really UVA protection.

I used the famous La Roche Posay's "Anthelios" for a while, but it made my face sooo shiny, so I resorted to using it on my body instead.

I was so happy to find Juice Beauty's SPF 30, especially because FINALLY i liked the smell, and it doubled as a moisturizer, so i was eliminating a step. The fact that it is non-chemical helped as well. BUT.....does titanium dioxide (the natural sunscreen found in JB and countless others) offer adequate UVA protection?

I just saw at my local drugstore that the Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF 70 with Helioplex was on sale. The ads are saying it has the strongest UVA protection. Should I?

I'm confused. Help! Thanks Smile

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:50 am

steffers from what ive read Titanium isnt as good at pretecting uva as zinc oxide.

Have you tried Bioderma sunscreens? They have high PPD and the one's Ive tried have a nice texture. The AKN Spray is good. The Fluide is nice too.

Only downside is they say you shouldnt use MMU with it as it degrades the avo , you cant win Brick wall

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2007 5:08 am

I think all sunscreen are good. But make sure it contains zinc oxides as it will protect you better from UV rays and SPF30+. But you may find that sunscreens with zinc oxide are more sticky than your titanium oxide equivalent, so you might not like the feel of it. Also zinc oxide will not cause break out or pimples.
I suggest the sunscreen from MDF. Its a bit sticky and hard to apply but its a really good sunscreen which contains enough zinc oxide for good protection.

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2007 5:48 am

I think it's important to choose a sunscreen that's effective but it's even more important to choose one you like to use. It's true that a physical sunscreen with TiO alone is not as effective as using a physical sunscreen with both ZnO and TiO. But you should also take into account your own needs and where you live. I live in Vancouver and I'm using L'Occitane's Very Precious Fluid SPF 40 at the moment, it only has TiO and states a PA+++ which is probably a PPD of only 6-10 which doesn't bother me as I've never had a problem with Vancouver sun, even in the summer. However I'm moving to HK in a few months and the L'Occitane will become something I'll ONLY use when I'm at home, I don't dare to use something like that in a tropical country, especially during the hottest summer months. I'll be switching to Avene at that time and will buy some within the next month. There are lots of info and lots of confusion on this topic and imo not everyone needs the maximum protection available, just depends on what your own circumstances (ie. purpose of using sunscreen, whether you're using anything that will make you sun sensitive, etc) and what you feel comfortable with amidst of all that you know about sun protection.

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2007 6:34 pm

sormuimui wrote:

Quote:

just depends on what your own circumstances (ie. purpose of using sunscreen, whether you're using anything that will make you sun sensitive, etc) and what you feel comfortable with amidst of all that you know about sun protection.

I agree with that. Smile

free skin care · Sat Jun 02, 2007 8:25 pm

sormuimui wrote:

I live in Vancouver and I'm using L'Occitane's Very Precious Fluid SPF 40 at the moment, it only has TiO and states a PA+++ which is probably a PPD of only 6-10 which doesn't bother me as I've never had a problem with Vancouver sun, even in the summer. (...) I'll be switching to Avene at that time and will buy some within the next month.

Thanks everyone for your insight.

I think I'm totally out of it...please tell me what PPD and PA+++ stand for!! Smile

And can you bring on more product suggestions of sunscreens that contain both Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide?

Which sunscreen by Avene is good?

Sormuimui...I also live in Vancouver Smile

free skin care · Sun Jun 03, 2007 2:22 am

PPD/PA+++ stands for the UVA protection you get, similar to how SPF stands for UVB protection. I'm planning to get Avene's SPF 50 Emulsion. But in Van all Avenes are physical ss as I don't think Tinosorb is something allowed here yet (similar to how Mexoryl used to be). I think if you're comfortable with the sunscreen you're using then you should stick with it. But if you think you need more UVA protection I'd suggest finding a physical with both Zinc and Titanium Oxide. I don't think you need a PPD of above 10 in Vancouver (but that's just my personal opinion).

I don't really have a good physical one to recommend as the ones I've used before all only use TiO and does not use ZnO but I suggest searching on EDS because there are quite a few "your fav physical ss" threads around. HTH

free skin care · Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:02 am

steffers, I am bumping this because I was wondering if you found another sunscreen? I have been using the JB SPF 30 also, and I love it, but I also just recently heard with only titanium dioxide I am not getting good UVA protection. I have ordered Bioderma and samples of Avene, but I was just curious if you had found anything you love yet? Thanks in advance!

free skin care · Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:17 am

Shiseido sunscreens usually have PA++ or more.

free skin care · Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:42 pm

rileygirl wrote:

steffers, I am bumping this because I was wondering if you found another sunscreen? I have been using the JB SPF 30 also, and I love it, but I also just recently heard with only titanium dioxide I am not getting good UVA protection. I have ordered Bioderma and samples of Avene, but I was just curious if you had found anything you love yet? Thanks in advance!

Sorry I took so long to reply...haven't been giving EDS as much attention these days!

To answer your question, no, I haven't found my perfect sunscreen yet. I have yet to try Bioderma; I was just on their website and i don't see anywhere if it says you can order samples. That may be a good bet. I am very sad that my beloved Juice Beauty is not offering enough UVA protection, as honestly, I thought i had found my HG. (Sigh!) I am still looking. I know everyone on EDS loves Sofina, but it seems like a pain in the butt to order from Hong Kong.

If anyone has any other suggestions, please share!
thanks,
steffers

free skin care · Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:43 pm

Steffers ive already mentioned it on another couple of threads but Avene's reformulated sunscreens are really good. I love the 50+ emulsion. Seems to have just the right texture. And its not greasy or shiny. You can also wear MMU safely with it. It has a PPD of 20 which is good.

You can get samples of them and some Bioderma samples here
http://www.skincarecentral.biz/skincare-sun.html

HTH Very Happy

free skin care · Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:44 pm

steffers wrote:

...I know everyone on EDS loves Sofina, but it seems like a pain in the butt to order from Hong Kong.

Steffers, you can order Sofina from this site: http://www.cosmeticamerica.com/skincare-sofina.html (based in USA, free shipping for orders over $80). Have you tried Sasa, the prices are the same from both sites.

free skin care · Mon Jun 25, 2007 5:16 am

Steffers, Anthelios offers an oil-soluble version and a water soluble version. If you tried the XL (oil), you can still try the SX (water) versions.

I haven't tried them, but plan to. L'Oreal's Ombrelle has the same ss (mexoryl).

free skin care · Mon Jun 25, 2007 8:55 am

This sunscreen information was from one of the morning show. May be Good Morning American. It has some good information on Sunscreen. I post this link on another thread.
www.ewg.org/sunscreen

I hope this will help you to choose your sunscreen. I use Avene which I don't see under the list.

free skin care · Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:00 am

Please do post an update when you find something you like, Steffers - I too have been a devotee to Juice Beauty until I started reading up about UVA protection on here - I may actually bug the company to try and reformulate including zinc oxide in their sunscreen, so it'd offer better protection!

But barring that I would love to hear what you think, as this has been one of my favorites for a long time now and I'm super-hesitant about new formulas since it's hard to find ones that aren't tacky and greasy-feeling. Thanks, and good luck (and I'll post again if I hear back from the JB gals!)

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