Avene sunscreen and free radicals
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Sun Jun 06, 2010 2:12 pm

Greetings,

This post is from someone who is extremely pale complected and have been using Avene 50+ spf spray for over a year. I was happy with the UVA and UVB protection that it offered. However, it's not realistic for me to reapply my sunscreen and makeup during the day while at work. I go back and forth between several buildings, so I'm not just indoors at a desk all day. From what I've read, I guess this means I should be using a physical block. I believe the Avene spray I'm using is half physical, half chemical. But I've noticed that the new formula of Avene advertises "Pre-Tocopheryl Anti-Free Radical protection. Perfect for extreme exposure or for those suffering with sun sensitivity or hyperpigmentation problems"
So I wonder if this is effective in preventing the development of free radicals on the face? If it isn't, could you make some recommendations for a phyisical block to try? My understanding is that the Avene sunblocks in the white tubes are physical blocks..may need to give that a try. Have dry skin, I'm very pale and have hyperpigmentation problems.

Thanks so much! So much to consider with sun protection...

Cari

free skin care · Mon Jun 07, 2010 12:45 am

croeber wrote:

Greetings,

This post is from someone who is extremely pale complected and have been using Avene 50+ spf spray for over a year. I was happy with the UVA and UVB protection that it offered. However, it's not realistic for me to reapply my sunscreen and makeup during the day while at work. I go back and forth between several buildings, so I'm not just indoors at a desk all day. From what I've read, I guess this means I should be using a physical block. I believe the Avene spray I'm using is half physical, half chemical. But I've noticed that the new formula of Avene advertises "Pre-Tocopheryl Anti-Free Radical protection. Perfect for extreme exposure or for those suffering with sun sensitivity or hyperpigmentation problems"
So I wonder if this is effective in preventing the development of free radicals on the face? If it isn't, could you make some recommendations for a phyisical block to try? My understanding is that the Avene sunblocks in the white tubes are physical blocks..may need to give that a try. Have dry skin, I'm very pale and have hyperpigmentation problems.

Thanks so much! So much to consider with sun protection...

Cari

Dear Cari,

There is an article I posted awhile ago called "stumbling blocks". This article pertains to your question about Chemical sunscreens.

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=32443

Avene is stating anti free radical protection since they added Vitamin E as an antioxidant. When you use a Chemical sunscreen with added antioxidants it's supposed to help with free radical protection. If you read the article above you'll read that Chemical sunscreens have been shown to create free radicals on their own. I stick to physical sunscreens.

If your looking for a good physical sunscreen here are some links:

I have not used burnout sunscreen but a few members on here use it and give high praise!

http://www.burnoutsun.com/

This is a link to Elta MD Physical sunscreen.

http://www.dermstore.com/product_UV+Physical+SPF+41_11541.htm

You can use this product on your face as well
Devita Body Block SPF 30

http://www.devita.net/products
/ProductView.mgi2?mgiToken=QVW6LTV227HG1IM&ID=DBB

Since you walk between building I would suggest wearing sunglasses and a hat for added protection. If you don't like the hat idea you could try an umbrella!

I hope this helps!

Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:50 pm

Thanks for posting that again...there's so much information out there. I definitely wear the big sunglasses when I go outdoors during the day. And thanks for posting the links to products. With the Avene, it was easy to figure out the UVA protection because I had found a website that offered the PPD rating for the sunscreens they sold. But what about purely physical sunscreens? Do you need to make sure it has a certain percentage of zinc oxide? I always go for the high spf, but I'm also extremely prone to hyperpigmentation and want to make sure i'm covered there too.
Thanks!

Cari

free skin care · Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:59 pm

croeber wrote:

Thanks for posting that again...there's so much information out there. I definitely wear the big sunglasses when I go outdoors during the day. And thanks for posting the links to products. With the Avene, it was easy to figure out the UVA protection because I had found a website that offered the PPD rating for the sunscreens they sold. But what about purely physical sunscreens? Do you need to make sure it has a certain percentage of zinc oxide? I always go for the high spf, but I'm also extremely prone to hyperpigmentation and want to make sure i'm covered there too.
Thanks!

Cari

I have the Avene "only physical" sunscreen and it has worked well on me. It does leave you a bit white but if you're like me (whiiiiite) then it doesn't show much. I do use it often as my day-to-day sunscreen and it has worked well for me. I have used it sometimes when I needed some "extra" protection (e.g. snowboarding in spring) and then it was not that great Sad

free skin care · Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:09 am

croeber wrote:

Thanks for posting that again...there's so much information out there. I definitely wear the big sunglasses when I go outdoors during the day. And thanks for posting the links to products. With the Avene, it was easy to figure out the UVA protection because I had found a website that offered the PPD rating for the sunscreens they sold. But what about purely physical sunscreens? Do you need to make sure it has a certain percentage of zinc oxide? I always go for the high spf, but I'm also extremely prone to hyperpigmentation and want to make sure i'm covered there too.
Thanks!

Cari

Hey no problem. I went nuts studying sunscreens! For awhile I was obsessed with PPD now I don't worry about it. As for the percentages go I'm not really sure if there is a recommend number. When choosing a sunscreen I always make sure there is a higher percent of Zinc Oxide than Titanium. The sunscreens I have contain 18% Zinc oxide.

Burnout sunscreen have 18% Zinc, I'm going to purchase one of their versions when I run out of my current sunscreen.

http://www.burnoutsun.com/

You probably already know this but always apply 1/4 teaspoon to your face. I've heard 1/2 teaspoon but I only see that amount necessary if your going to be at the beach.

I hope this helps!

Tue Jul 27, 2010 1:46 pm

So I have now been on the hunt for a physical sunblock. I assume that I may have to end up ordering it....but
I was just at Whole Foods, and while I couldn't find Devita or Burnout sunblocks at the store, I did come across 2 physical sunscreens. Badger and Jason, both had fairly high concentrations of zinc oxide. Neither tube specifically said "to be used on the face". Just wondering if anyone had tried either of these? causing clogged pores and breakouts would be a concern.

Cari

free skin care · Tue Jul 27, 2010 3:47 pm

Are there concerns over micronized Zinc Oxide? I would like to try the Devita (I'm switching from chemicals to physical).

free skin care · Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:07 pm

LondonJamie wrote:

Are there concerns over micronized Zinc Oxide? I would like to try the Devita (I'm switching from chemicals to physical).

Nope.

free skin care · Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:18 am

I've also driven myself to nearly complete distraction over the subject of sunscreens.

First, I was convinced that a sufficient PPD rating was the way to go...then discovered that the only sunscreens with sufficient PPD ratings are chemical sunscreens sold in Europe - so I ended up paying lots of $ to buy those formulas - and to find ones that would be relatively matte, etc.

Then I learned about the problems with chem sunscreen stability and pro-oxidation and that prompted me to look into physical sunscreens.

Upon researching the physical sunscreens, I learned that most do not have sufficient PPD ratings and leave a white cast on the skin and if I wanted one that did not present those two problems, it would have to be a formula that used nanoparticles. So then I learned that nanoparticles might carry an unknown health risk.....

So, what's a health and skin conscious person to do about all of this?

Anyone else?

Thanks, BF

free skin care · Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:34 pm

Barefootgirl wrote:

So, what's a health and skin conscious person to do about all of this?

I'm done with daily sunscreen application - it causes me too many problems and there's a lot of concerns.

My strategy...

- only applying sunscreen when I'm going to be in the sun for an extended period of time and won't be able to escape (a day out on a boat for example);
- avoiding the direct sun where possible;
- wearing sensible clothing (including hats);
- wearing an effective antioxidant-rich product daily (possibly a few);
- eating an antioxidant-rich diet (always have) and taking Heliocare supplements.

free skin care · Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:43 pm

Barefootgirl wrote:

So, what's a health and skin conscious person to do about all of this?

Pick a sunscreen that doesn't irritate your skin (if you can find one), wear it every day, and get on with your life! Laughing

My mother did not wear sunscreen a day in her life. She did not get skin cancer, and she was very young looking up until the day she died. She did not lay out in the sun, and got exposure only during her walks, etc. She didn't use skin care at all actually, except for some noxema on her nose for the "shininess". I think you just have to make a decision that you are comfortable with and not worry about the "experts" opinions all the time.

free skin care · Thu Jul 29, 2010 2:29 pm

I am so upset that Aromaleigh is closing. This mineral make-up has served as my physical sunscreen for years. Zinc oxide and titanium oxide are the best sunscreens! Aromaleigh had their regular mineral make-up and their microencapsulated version for sensitive skin. Really natural-looking and protected my skin. Now what will I use? Other mineral make-ups look shiny.

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