Product Review: Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen SPF 45

I have been using Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen, which I have written a review about in my past post, for a few months already. I think the said product is fine, and works well as a daytime moisturizer during the low-humidity periods. However, after using it for a few times during my jogging spree, I noticed that my skin has darkened a bit. So I decided to look for another product from the same brand which hopefully would work better, and has chosen the Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen SPF 45 because it cointains green tea (Skin care products containing green trea turn me on!). Besides, it contains higher SPF, longer water resistance time (80 minutes), and most importantly, it bears a seal of recommendation from the Skin Cancer Organization.

Product Review: Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen

Why spend lots of bucks on different anti-aging serums or creams if you can simply prevent the culprit (that is, the sun's harmful UV rays) of premature aging by investing on a sunscreen? Sunscreen is indeed a basic skin care product that every woman (and man) should have. Many women may simply gear toward the SPF-containing cosmetics for their sun protection, but a heavy-duty sunscreen is still the best way to go.

I had been looking for a sunscreen that is affordable, noncomedogenic, has UVA and UVB protection, and has at least SPF 30. The Skin Cancer Organization provides a list of suncreen brands bearing the Seal of Recommendation, meaning the sunscreen is very photostable (doesn't break down under the sun, thus offering an effective layer of protection). The list shows some familiar brands yet only a few are accessible in the malls I frequently visit in Manila. I was glad to find Alba Botanica in the list, which I knew was being sold in Healthy Options stores. So off I went to the store and among a small range of Alba Botanica sunscreens, I chose Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen because it contains moisturizing ingredients - which means I can simply skip my moisturizer during my daytime skin regimen. 

Sunscreen, Makeup, and Skin Care Products

If you're one of those ladies who go out a lot but rely mainly on BB creams (or other cosmetics with SPF) as your sole protection against the sun, then think again. I admittedly use my multi-functional BB cream during those days when I only needed to go out for a few minutes, and skip the sunscreen due to the usually greasy effect they give on my face. However, BB creams alone wouldn't be enough for longer sun exposure - even those with a high SPF and broad spectrum protection - because BB creams are only supposed to be applied sparingly on the face. Unless you're willing to slather your face with a full-shot-glass amount of BB cream, a tiny amount of BB cream will never be enough to keep you protected, and so comes in the heavy-duty sunscreen.

Sunscreen Photostability

Source: graur codrin | Freedigitalphotos.net

As you may have already read in this post, a good sunscreen requires protection for both UVA and UVB. Yet, even if the formulation offers protection against the harmful rays doesn't mean it's 100% reliable. Another step that manufacturers need to look at to ensure sun protection is photostability of their sunscreen ingredients. To be photostable means that the sunscreen UV filters must remain stable under sun exposure. Some sunscreen ingredients break down immediately under sunlight, rendering their protective capabilities as useless. An interaction between different ingredients needs to be carefully analyzed.

Physical and Chemical Sunscreen

Photo: eltaMD , a combination of both physical and 

chemical sunscreen (Source: Amazon)

What's the use of all the promising skin care products if you don't apply sunscreen? After all, it's the sun's harmful UV rays that give you sunburn, dark spots, age spots, and premature wrinkles. Dabbing on some antioxidants on your skin would only give little help if you don't prevent the culprit that has been causing your skin problems in the first place.

Sunscreens are also particularly very useful to people using acne medications such as myself. Topical acne treatment such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid make the skin more sensitive to the sun. Also, sun exposure promotes hyperpigmentation, leading to further darkening of acne marks.

Sunscreens for Oily Skin

In my previous post, I've given out five tips when it comes to choosing a sunscreen, so if you have no idea on how to choose a sunscreen, you might want to check this blog post first.

Once you get the general idea of the do's and don'ts of choosing a sunscreen, shopping for a sunscreen can become a breeze, especially if you have normal skin type. However, if you have sensitive skin, a closer look at the ingredients list is a must! You should know if the sunscreen contains physical or chemical UV filters. Certain ingredients may trigger an allergic reaction, such as fragrances and colorings. 

If you have oily skin type, you should watch out for comedogenic ingredients. For aesthetic reasons, you may also want a sunscreen which is less greasy and matte. It's a challenge as many sunscreens are greasy and sticky, some of the ingredients may also clog the pores and trigger a breakout.

Sunscreen: Is it Safe?

Sunscreens are one of the protective measures you use against UV radiation. Having enough sun protection is a good way to slow down aging process as the sun's rays are one of the culprits why people get wrinkles and age spots. In fact, it is the best anti-aging product you could use! In addition, sunscreens contain UV filters to protect your from the harmful UV rays that increases your risks of skin cancer. However, a bottle of sunscreen might not be as helpful as it promises.

Protect Your Skin from the Sun

Sun protection isn't as simple as buying a bottle of sunscreen every summer and using it when going out to the beach. It should be done all-year-round, even during winter and cloudy days. In the article that you will find below, I've collected a handful of ways on how you can get better protection under the sun. See the link below to learn more about sun protection.

The Sun and Your Skin
Our mother earth is no longer as healthy as before. Her ozone layer has been somewhat depleted, therefore allowing more of the sun's harmful UV rays to pass ...

Understanding Sunscreen Labels: Information about the Ingredients

A bottle of sunscreen.

Source: comedy_nose | Flickr

Some of the ingredients you might find in a bottle of sunscreen are:

• Zinc oxide
• Titanium dioxide
• Avobenzone
• Oxybenzone
• Mexoryl SX (ecamsule)
• Retinyl Palmitate or Retinol

The purpose of sunscreen is to absorb or scatter UV radiation. Both types of UV (A and B) should be avoided. Older sunscreens don’t offer that. That is why we should look for labels with broad spectrum, wide spectrum, or UVA/UVB spectrum. Ingredients such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, mexoryl SX (ecamsule) and oxybenzone offer broad-spectrum protection. But according to the Environmental Working Group or EWG, oxybenzone is a “hormone- disrupting” compound as shown in a study of mice, and should therefore be avoided. The group recommends zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as safe and effective UV blockers. Ecamsule is also safe but very few sunscreens has this forumulation, while avobenzone should be limited to only 3%.

How to Choose Sunscreen

It sure is fun to play outdoors, but be sure to wear proper sun protection. Choose the right kind of sunscreen for better protection.
Source: Photo by africa via Freedigitalphotos

It's summer already! Time to hit the beaches and have some outdoor fun. But beware of the sun. Don't forget one very crucial step to your skin regimen: applying sunscreen.

Sunscreen blocks the sun's harmful rays that damage the skin. Stores offer a wide range of sunscreen products and it might be confusing to us which products to choose. Here are some tips for choosing your sunscreen: