4 ms·

As someone who hits the beaches in Kauai fairly often, I've migrated to just using a rash guard and hat for sun protection. My lower legs for whatever reason do

As someone who hits the beaches in Kauai fairly often, I've migrated to just using a rash guard and hat for sun protection. My lower legs for whatever reason don't get burned. I feel much better about not putting whatever is in sunscreen all over my body. Sometimes I'll throw some zinc oxide on my nose, but mostly just for a kitschy throwback.

orangepurple 4y ago
The FDA considers zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to be the only safe sunscreens in existence. It allows a whitelist of about 10 chemicals to be sold as sunscreen. Everything else "doesn't have enough data" but there is evidence that many of the chemicals on the FDA sunscreen whitelist are endocrine disruptors. I appreciate that zinc oxide is a UVA blocker in addition to UVB. I always thought more SPF gave me more protection until I realized it does not measure UVA whatsoever. Turns out that depending on where you live if you are outside before 9:30 am and after 3:30 pm you won't get sunburned because the UV index is less than 3-5 at those times Windy has a new UV layer but I would trust a UV measuring device more. Just collect some sample readings over a few typical days to get a feel for the irradiation in your area so you can plan accordingly.
- orangepurple 4y ago
  One of the most interesting sunscreen metrics is mentioned completely unceremoniously on the last page of the Final Order Monograph 2020. It is sad that we don't have access to the critical wavelength value calculations described on the last page of Monograph M020. The critical wavelength is identified as the wavelength at which the integral of the spectral absorbance curve reaches 90 percent of the integral over the UV spectrum from 290 to 400 nm. A mean critical wavelength of 370 nm or greater is classified as broad spectrum protection. Sunscreen users could benefit from understanding the UV blocking performance of each sunscreen on the market. Reference: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Final Administrative Order (OTC000006) Over-the-Counter Monograph M020: Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use (Posted September 24, 2021) https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicin...
Daltzn 4y ago
BadgerBalm has probably the most environmentally friendly sunscreen. It can leave a white cast on some people so there is that issue. But if your at the beach regularly give them a look. Using UPF clothing and a bigger hat really make a difference too. I burn far to easy to not use some level of sunscreen.
timcederman 4y ago
The convenience of a rash guard and a hat is also a big selling point, as well as reduced sunscreen use.
therealdrag0 4y ago
Same, also for hiking.

orangepurple 4y ago

The FDA considers zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to be the only safe sunscreens in existence. It allows a whitelist of about 10 chemicals to be sold as sunscreen. Everything else "doesn't have enough data" but there is evidence that many of the chemicals on the FDA sunscreen whitelist are endocrine disruptors. I appreciate that zinc oxide is a UVA blocker in addition to UVB. I always thought more SPF gave me more protection until I realized it does not measure UVA whatsoever. Turns out that depending on where you live if you are outside before 9:30 am and after 3:30 pm you won't get sunburned because the UV index is less than 3-5 at those times Windy has a new UV layer but I would trust a UV measuring device more. Just collect some sample readings over a few typical days to get a feel for the irradiation in your area so you can plan accordingly.

orangepurple 4y ago
One of the most interesting sunscreen metrics is mentioned completely unceremoniously on the last page of the Final Order Monograph 2020. It is sad that we don't have access to the critical wavelength value calculations described on the last page of Monograph M020. The critical wavelength is identified as the wavelength at which the integral of the spectral absorbance curve reaches 90 percent of the integral over the UV spectrum from 290 to 400 nm. A mean critical wavelength of 370 nm or greater is classified as broad spectrum protection. Sunscreen users could benefit from understanding the UV blocking performance of each sunscreen on the market. Reference: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Final Administrative Order (OTC000006) Over-the-Counter Monograph M020: Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use (Posted September 24, 2021) https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicin...

Daltzn 4y ago

BadgerBalm has probably the most environmentally friendly sunscreen. It can leave a white cast on some people so there is that issue. But if your at the beach regularly give them a look. Using UPF clothing and a bigger hat really make a difference too. I burn far to easy to not use some level of sunscreen.

timcederman 4y ago

The convenience of a rash guard and a hat is also a big selling point, as well as reduced sunscreen use.

therealdrag0 4y ago

Same, also for hiking.