UV radiation is part of the natural energy produced by the sun. On the electromagnetic spectrum, UV light has shorter wavelengths than visible light, so your eyes can’t see UV, but your skin can feel it. Tanning beds also emit UV radiation.
Two types of UV light are proven to contribute to the risk for skin cancer:
- Ultraviolet A (UVA) has a longer wavelength. It is associated with skin aging.
- Ultraviolet B (UVB) has a shorter wavelength. It is associated with skin burning.
While UVA and UVB rays differ in how they affect the skin, they both do harm. Unprotected exposure to UVA and UVB damages the DNA in skin cells, producing genetic defects, or mutations, that can lead to skin cancer and premature aging. UV rays can also cause eye damage, including cataracts and eyelid cancers.
UV rays can cause skin cells to age and can cause some indirect damage to cell’s DNA. UVA rays are mainly linked to long-term skin damage such as wrinkles, but they are also thought to play a role in some skin cancers. UVA rays are responsible for the changes we see with skin ageing, including pigmentation, wrinkles and fine lines. While photoaging is an inevitable process, people who spend a lot of time outdoors, and/or those who do not use sunscreen tend to develop these symptoms earlier and with more intensity.
Photoaging is premature aging of the skin caused by repeated exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, primarily from the sun but also from artificial UV sources. Photoaging is mostly caused by UV-A radiation and unbalanced levels of elastin. The skin responds by sending metalloproteinases to repair the skin, but the result is an uneven finish, with depleted levels of collagen, which gives skin its elasticity. Melanin, not just the pigment that gives you a tan, but the skin's defense against sunburn can also build up in specific places, causing what are known as age or liver spots.
While the skin is at its most vulnerable when on periods of long sun exposure such as vacation in the sun or working outdoors, the risk of skin damage is a year-round concern. It is really important to use a sunscreen every day, even in winter months, because ultraviolet, which is an invisible radiation is present all year round, even in the winter months.
Because we know ultraviolet can cause problems with skin cancer and skin ageing, it is really important to incorporate sunscreen use into your daily regime so it becomes routine. Regular sunscreen brings cosmetic benefits and also decreases the risk of skin cancer.
Love Sun Body's sunscreen range has formulated for a variety of ages and skin types. Specifically formulated for sensitive skin and protects against both UVA and UVB rays, which is why it has the broad spectrum on the label. Many sunscreens do not. Love Sun Body 100% Natural Origin mineral face, body and tinted sunscreens are the first & only sunscreens in the U.S. that have been certified by Ecocert Cosmos Natural. The COSMOS-standard signature is a consumer guarantee for organic and natural cosmetics.
Cosmos Natural certification means Love Sun Body formulas contain only 100% natural origin ingredients with no chemical filters or petroleum-based ingredients. Love Sun Body mineral sunscreens are formulated with non-nano zinc oxide & non-nano titanium dioxide to provide truly effective UVA & UVB protection that meet the requirements of the FDA, the EU recommendation for UVA protection & Canada’s NHP Regulations. Our new rapid rub-in formulas apply with no white cast, are quick drying, fast-absorbing and are clinically tested 80 minutes water resistant. Love Sun Body sunscreens have been awarded the highest rating from the EWG (Environmental Working Group) and are tested to ensure they are safe for sensitive skin, are hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, certified cruelty-free & vegan by PETA, gluten-free and do not contain any eye-singing ingredients. Our formulas are biodegradable, and our new flexible packaging includes over 50% post-consumer resin (PCR) that is recyclable.