Do sunscreens prevent tanning? {Reader's Query}

Sunscreens are essentially made to prevent the sun's rays to harm your skin and trigger skin cancer. But, depending on the strength of the sunscreen, it might have tanning prevention abilities. 

Physical Sunscreens

Predominantly used physical sunscreen agent, Zinc Oxide, is a broad spectrum sunscreen which protects skin from both UVA and UVB rays (both types). Generally, it helps a lot in preventing tanning. But, there is a loop hole here. The abilities of the sunscreen depends on the strength of its protection. For example, if you are using a spf 15 sunscreen, it filters out 92% (rounded figure) of the sun's rays and still allows 8% to go through. Those 8% of the sun's rays can still harm the skin. 

Similarly, when talking about Titanium Dioxide, it filters out all UVB rays but only half of UVA rays which reduces the strength of the sunscreen considerably. In spf 15, 8% of rays are still passing through to the skin and also, UVA rays are separately affecting your skin because the sunscreen can't block them. Also, Titanium Dioxide is responsible for generating free radicals in the body unless it is coated.

Chemical Sunscreens

The major issue with chemical sunscreen is the stability factor. The chemical ingredients breakdown on exposure to sunlight. Yes, that's a contradiction to the function of the product. That's the main reason why a sunscreen has to be reapplied after every two hours. Also, they have a tendency to generate free radicals in the body which can also trigger cancerous reaction within the body.

Also, let me say here that the "Helioplex" of Neutrogena is a stabilising formula (read this post for more details) to prevent the breakdown of the chemical sunscreen ingredients which makes its sunscreens effective on a longer length of time. But, again the strength of sunscreen decides the amount of rays passing through to the skin and they can cause tanning. 

Also, a sunscreen which doesn't have PA ratings gives no protection against UVA rays so still your skin is vulnerable to tanning and aging. PA ratings gives protection against the UVA rays and spf gives the protection strength against the UVB rays so a sunscreen needs to have both these factors mentioned for it to be a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Recommended Sunscreens:

MVO Moisturizing Face Screen
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock

Related Posts:

Do layers of sunscreens help? 

Sunscreen and Myths 

Dark and Dull Skin in summers 

Zinc Oxide vs Titanium Dioxide

Is my sunscreen working?

Surfaces and Radiations

What are UV Radiations?

What Sunscreen should I buy?

Sunscreen Ingredients

Use sunscreen 365 days a year

How much sunscreen do you apply?

Sunscreen: Role in anti-aging Skin Care

PS: Just checked out that Hermes stores are there in Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. Btw, any one has idea if there is a Hermes counter / Store in the Dubai airport, those duty free ones???

How to get rid of skin tanning? {Skin Care}

Happy Shivratri :)

 

First thing is that I had long ago done a post on what causes dark knees and elbows and how to get rid of them so I advise you to please go through it.

[Source: Google Images]

Diet for Fairer Complexion
I would only suggest a healthy and balanced diet which has all the possible nutritious foods according to your eating habits. Don't overdo anything. A cleaner body means lesser skin problems.

How to remove the tan?
The basic reason for skin darkness is excess exposure to sun and the excess melanin production resulting from the exposure. So, there are some things which one can do to prevent tan and remove it.

• Apply Zinc Oxide sunscreen to prevent tanning. And, even if you are not able to find any physical sunscreen, don't forget to use a normal sunscreen which is good and reliable and has spf 30 or more. 

• Using Himalaya fairness face pack and Vedic Line papaya face pack really helped with removing the tanned skin. So, you should definitely check them out. I generally used the face packs on alternate days. Applying a thick mask helps.

• Tomato and potato are great for bleaching and removing tan and bringing a glow to the face. 

• Exercise is very very important for bringing a fresh glow to the face and regular hydration of the skin from outside and inside helps the skin maintain a healthy glow and a radiant skin. 

• Always use accessories like scarf and umbrella when outside in the sun. It helped me most to prevent skin tan. 

Have you any ideas on how to prevent tan?

Marie Veronique Organics After Sun Body Oil {Product Review}

So, this is again one of the samples I received from MVO as I mentioned a few days back. And, I am just on the brink of finishing this. Surprising that so small a sample lasted me so many days!!!

Price: 55$ (Rs 3000 approx) for 120 ml (again, very expensive!!!)

What does MVO say about the product?

• Soothes and hydrates overexposed skin with borage oil for anti-inflammation and moisture retention to reduce dry, flaky skin
  
• Calms with aromatic lavender and imortelle essential oils
• Repairs damage with carrot seed oil, high in beta carotene
• Replenishes the lipid barrier compromised by sun exposure with essential fatty acids from jojoba oil
• Seals in moisture and leaves the skin supple, smooth and more refined

Ingredients

No harmful chemicals, no synthetic fragrances, no waxes that can clog pores, no water that can evaporate and dry out your skin, and no nut oils that can go rancid with UV exposure.
100% vegan
Carthamus tinctorius (safflower oil), Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba oil), Persea gratissima (avocado oil), Borago officinalis (borage oil), Squalene (vegetable squalene from olive oil), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary oleoresin), Tocopherol (vitamin E), Lavandula augustifolia (lavender essential oil), Helichrysum splendidum (helichrysum essential oil), Daucus carota (carrot seed essential oil)

I love the ingredients of this brand!!! Makes it worth the cost, at least. 

My Experience

I wouldn't talk about any recommendation because I have not experienced the product long enough to make my judgement on it. So, I will only share what I observed in this much time. Its a colorless oil and smells nice to bland. Has a hint of Lavender but I guess its Immortelle which is probably predominant, I am not sure though!!! In case you are wondering where is Immortelle in the ingredient list, Helichrysum splendidum is its scientific name.

The oil is colorless and extremely light but still its quiet moisturizing. I used the oil first on my face where I don't think I noticed any difference and then, I started using on my hands. I don't think I noticed any difference but once when my arms were completely dark in the sun, I applied the oil and next morning, the arms' color was a little back to normal and I think it does reverse tanning to a certain extent. Anyways, the oil gets absorbed very readily into the skin and is non-sticky so keeps the skin soft. 

If you ask me if I would try it again or want to try it again, I would say there are much more interesting things by MVO to try out so I would go for something different next time. I really would give preference to products I haven't tried and I have my eye on Sun Protective Oil which I so want to desperately even though its horribly expensive :)

PS: Oh, btw, did you enter the Yardley giveaway yet??? If you haven't, follow this link - Yardley Giveaway and submit the answer to the question asked and you are done!!!

Use Orange peel to bring a glow on your skin

 

Today, I would be sharing with you a simple scrubbing method for your face without getting into the trouble of elaborate recipe making techniques. Yes, just as I talked about Banana peel last time, this time I am going to talk about how to use orange peel.

Eat your orange. Now, rub the peel directly on your face or anywhere else. Make sure you dig into the skin of the orange peel with your nails to extract its juice and apply it to your face. Keep on rubbing till the skin color of the peel changes into black. Do not wash your face immediately. Wait for 15-30 minutes. Then, wash off your face with cold water. Do not use any cleanser or soap after this application. Your skin will glow and be squeaky clean. And, this also ensures reduction in blemishes and dark spots. But, remember to do this at night as the citric acid makes the skin photosensitive and dry.

A tip: Dip the orange peels in raw milk for 1 hour before scrubbing. This would balance the drying effect of the orange peel with the moisturizing effect of milk. 

How do you use orange peels? Pin It

Also read: 
Benefits of Orange on Skin