You already know the importance of protecting your skin from the sun’s UV rays in order to maintain youthful, healthy skin and prevent long-term damage to the epidermis. A well formulated sunscreen against both UVA and UVB rays is the most effective solution when you just can’t avoid the sun. Recently however, sun protective clothing has become an option for your body. Let’s look at how well SPF clothing works to block the sun’s UV rays from damaging your skin and whether they’re an effective replacement for a good sunscreen.

Advantages Of Wearing Sun Protective Clothing

Clothes that are designed to block the sun’s UV rays may do so by utilizing fabric capable of blocking UVA and UVB rays or by treating the clothing with sun filters such as titanium dioxide. The sun protection capability is derived from either the sun filter and/or tightly woven fabric that offers further protection against UV rays.

One of the advantages of wearing sun protective clothing is that they can deliver protection from UV rays. A second advantage is that they can reduce (but not eliminate) the need to apply a sunscreen (which some people may consider higher-maintenance). While there’s no disputing their effectiveness, there are some potential drawbacks.

Potential Drawbacks

The first drawback is the cost. Sun protective clothing is usually priced at a premium to regular clothes. For example, a long-sleeve shirt with an SPF 50 may cost more than $60. Second, many types of clothing that are designed to protect your skin from the sun don’t provide broad spectrum coverage of UV rays. They may offer protection from shorter-range UVB rays, which contribute to sunburn, but not long-range UVA rays which can penetrate deep into the epidermis. UVA rays lead to photo aging as well as some types of skin cancers. It’s important when purchasing any sun protective clothing to ensure that you’re getting both UVA and UVB protection.

Another disadvantage is that these clothes cannot offer protection for your face. This includes the eyes and lips, two areas that are very vulnerable to UV rays. Lastly, wearing this type of clothing can be uncomfortable and restrictive. If the clothes are made from a tightly-woven polyester fiber, you can sweat quite a bit, leaving the sweat to be trapped inside preventing its evaporation.

Protecting Your Skin From The Sun

Sun protective clothing can be a useful addition to your UV prevention strategy. And children in particular, may benefit greatly from its use. However, it can’t replace the use of a well formulated sunscreen such as Anthelios, which will still need to be applied to your face, hands and feet.

Try and stay out of the sun wherever possible, seeking shade when you can. Avoid exposing yourself to the sun’s rays between the hours of 10 am and 4pm, when the rays are most powerful and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. By all means, incorporate sun protective clothing into your regimen if you find them comfortable to wear and use a good sunscreen like Anthelios for those areas that are exposed.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care. She owns and operates an online skin care store at www.pharmacymix.com.

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) has been garnering lots of attention for its anti-aging benefits to skin. Now available in creams, serums, powders and even eye and lip treatments, Vitamin C is backed up by oodles of clinical research to support its claims which include:

An increase in collagen synthesis, which helps to thicken the skin
Antioxidant activity which reduces skin damage caused by free radicals
An effective depigmenting agent at concentrations 5% or higher
An improvement in the appearance of sun damaged skin

One of the main drawbacks of Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is that it is quite unstable. When exposed to air, a Vitamin C solution will oxidize (break down) and become ineffective as well as potentially harmful. This is because oxidized Vitamin C may increase the formation of free radicals which leads to skin damage. Oxidized Vitamin C will take on a yellowish tinge so look for clear solutions or white creams and powders, a good indication that your formulation is stable and therefore, effective and safe. Also purchase from a reputable company to ensure that you're purchasing the real deal.

Research continues with newer more stable forms of Vitamin C and we can expect to see more products containing this beneficial ingredient to be introduced.

How can you incorporate Vitamin C into your skin care regimen?

Like any skin care product, one containing Vitamin C will not necessarily benefit everyone. And though studies have shown Vitamin C to be well tolerated, some skin types may not take to it very well. Always conduct a skin patch test; especially important if you have sensitive skin.

If you're concerned about uneven skin tone, sun damaged skin, wrinkles and even hyperpigmented areas, you may wish to try Vitamin C. Vitamin C at lower concentrations will perform antioxidant activity, but concentrations of at least 5% are required to increase collagen synthesis (and thereby have any effect on wrinkles or fine lines) or to assist with hyperpigmentation.

Depending on your skin type, a Vitamin C preparation may be added instead of a moisturizer or in addition to your moisturizer. Because of its beneficial effect on free radicals, a Vitamin C preparation is a great idea for your morning routine as studies have shown that it will help to protect your skin from damaging UV rays.

Here are some products that you may want to consider:
ULtimaSkin Alpha Lipoic Acid Lifting Serum – a host of antioxidants including Vitamin C to protect your skin from free radical damage.
La Roche Posay Active C and Active C Eyes – This 5% concentration of stable L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) has been shown to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles in studies. Two formulations – dry and normal/combination skin.
La Roche Posay Redermic and Redermic Eyes – Formulated for women with deeper lines and wrinkles. Like Active C, Redermic contains 5% stable L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) with the added benefit of madecassoside and hyaluronic acid. Madecassoside is a botanical that has been shown to increase collagen synthesis; hyaluronic acid helps the skin to retain moisture, helping to smooth fine lines. Two formulations – dry and normal/combination skin.
Neostrata Skin Brightener – One of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C – 20% – Skin Brightener is formulated in a unique base to retain stability. Though marketed to improve skin radiance by decreasing discolorations, Vitamin C at this concentration will also help to diminish fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen sythesis.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care. She owns and operates an online skin care store at www.pharmacymix.com.

For those of you not familiar with parabens, they're preservatives which help prevent the spread of fungus and bacteria. Cosmetics companies have been including parabens in products such as makeup, shaving gels, shampoos, moisturizers and dozens of other products for many years. Parabens are also included in various types of foods to ensure their safety for consumption.

Recently, the use of parabens as a preservative has attracted attention and criticism. One study reported that parabens were found in samples of breast tumours. And other studies have found them to exhibit estrogenic effects in animals. While the research is still being disputed, many individuals worry about parabens causing adverse health effects. Should you seek out products without parabens? Let’s look at the data to help you decide.

Parabens Maintain the Integrity of Skin Care Products

Parabens are effective for inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungus. Left unchecked, the spread of these microorganisms could prove harmful to your health. And while there is an argument for taking precautions when using any product that contains preservatives, it’s essential that we appreciate the benefits of parabens along with their potential risks. In addition to controlling the spread of bacteria, mold and fungus, parabens are very stable and highly efficacious. Counter that with the negative impact of using products that are contaminated with bacteria.

The Decision is Yours

But what about the possible downside? Whether to use or avoid products with parabens is an informed decision we each have to make by weighing the risks against benefits. Is the skin care product that you are using delivering benefits more important than the potential risks associated with it?

In the case of a skincare product like sunscreen, consider that you are protecting your skin against sunburns, photo aging as well as some types of skin cancers. Many of us would agree that the benefits of sunscreen far outweigh the potential risks associated with parabens, especially if we are using it for the most part just on our faces and décolleté. Because of potential safety issues, many cosmetics companies are opting for alternative preservative systems such as phenoxyethanol or grapefruit seed extract.

Alternative preservative systems are still new and research suggests that they work well. What we don’t know is if there are longer term side effects associated with their use. Though they seem to be well tolerated, time will tell if they too might have implications regarding health.

If you’re concerned about parabens, read labels. Common parabens include butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben. If you’re a sunscreen user (and there’s good reason why we all should be), here are some of the top sellers at pharmacymix.com formulated without parabens:

Anthelios Fluide Extreme SPF 50+
Anthelios Creme SPF 50+
Anthelios Crème SPF 40
Anthelios Dermo Pediatrics Lotion SPF 50+
Anthelios Dermo Pediatrics Spray SPF 50

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care. She owns and operates an online skin care store at www.pharmacymix.com.

Navigating the cosmetics counter can be confusing. In addition to new ingredients, better technology and manufacturer's claims, we have to decide whether our skin needs a serum, a lotion (sometimes referred to as a fluid or fluide) or a cream. How do we decide what's best for us?

It's important to understand that in the cosmetics industry; companies are free to use whatever descriptors they want. And there isn't an absolute definition of cream, serum or lotion.

Creams vs Serums vs Lotions

In general, creams are made by mixing oil with water. They tend to be moisturizing in action and may or may not contain active ingredients such as antioxidants or skin lighteners. Creams are best suited for normal and dry skin types. If you have combination skin, creams will be suitable for those parts of your skin that are dry but may be too heavy for oilier sections.

Lotions or fluids are very similar to creams in containing both water and oil. They tend to be lighter than creams. Lotions can be used by all skin types, though some oily skin types may find them too heavy. Like creams, lotions may contain active ingredients.

The last type of formulation is a serum. Serums are the newer cousin of creams and lotions and are currently very much in vogue in the cosmetics industry. Serums tend to be thick liquids and are usually (but not always) clear. They are water based which makes them lightweight and quickly absorbed into the skin. Many companies formulate serums for the delivery of topical active ingredients such as Vitamin C, peptides, alpha hydroxy acids or retinols. They are a concentrated way to get anti-aging ingredients into the skin and can be layered under other products without interfering with them. Because serums tend to be light and water based, most skin types can use them.

My Favorites

I have combination skin, which tends to be drier in the winter. My favorite products depend on the season, my skin concern and most importantly, whether a product delivers. Here are some of my current favorites:

1. MaMa Lotion – A high concentration alpha hydroxy formulation for helping to keep hyperpigmentation in check. This serum receives rave reviews for darker and sensitive skin types. Perfect for all skin types.
2. http://www.pharmacymix.com/product.aspx?ProductID=4711&/UltimaSkin Honey and Soy Moisturizer src="http://" alt="image description" /> – loaded with emollients and collagen boosting soy, this creamy moisturizer is great for dry, dehydrated skin.
3. Neostrata Skin Brightener – Maximum strength – 20% Vitamin C evens skin tone and boosts collagen production in a lightweight lotion. Great for almost all skin types.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care. She owns and operates an online skin care store at www.pharmacymix.com.

The skin care industry is massive. And while there are truly effective products containing ingredients that can make a difference to your skin, there are others that probably aren’t worth wasting your time on. Because the cosmetics industry is largely unregulated, you’ll find that some cosmetics manufacturers will make unsupported claims.

Recently, some manufacturers have been making claims that their products either contain or are able to repair damaged DNA. While this sounds pretty impressive, can a topically applied skin care product truly repair damaged DNA?

What is DNA’s Impact on Skin?

To some extent, our DNA (as well as RNA) has an impact on the way our skin looks. When we talk about having a genetic predisposition to something, wrinkled skin for example, then our DNA has an influence on this. However, we don’t know for sure exactly which genes influence skin. We do know that as we age, cell communications may slow down or be misinterpreted by resulting in changes to skin texture. Cells my not retain water as well as previously, leading to skin that is drier. These changes may arise for a variety of reasons including your genetic make-up, sun damage, or free radical damage.

So when a manufacturer claims that their product will alter your DNA to improve the look of your skin, you can see that it’s not as simple as it sounds. The manufacturer would need to know your genetic composition and for reasons of confidentiality, this isn’t the kind of information you’d want someone else to have. Knowing your genetic make-up could allow someone to find out a lot of personal information about you including your predisposition to diseases. It’s not the kind of information you’d want to share with just anyone.

Effective skin care solutions are available. They can help repair damage from the sun, they can protect against free radicals and they can even help to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Good sunscreens such as Anthelios can prevent the sun’s ultraviolet rays from penetrating deep into the epidermis and causing long-lasting cellular damage. But until technology moves forward, there isn’t a way of altering your DNA to improve the appearance of your skin. Skin care products that claim to either contain DNA or be a crucial element in its repair dismiss the nature of DNA repair and the individual nature of genes.

Follow a Good Skin Care Routine

While using a skin care product to repair your damaged DNA may not yet be possible, you should be using sunscreens, emollients, antioxidants and exfoliants. These are all essential to keeping your skin healthy. But, it’s important to discern between manufacturers’ advertising claims and what a skin product is really capable of doing for you. Just like anything, it’s a matter of buyer beware.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care. She owns and operates an online skin care store at www.pharmacymix.com.

Recently, reports have surfaced that sunscreen use can increase the risk of skin cancer. There are some 'conspiracy' theories as to how this assumption arose, one including a rumor perpetuated by tanning bed manufacturers to assure people that tanning beds are safe. (they're not). Whether this is true or not is of course speculation, but it's easy for rumors to spread.

Before you throw out all the sunscreens in your medicine cabinet, you should bear in mind that many well respected organizations including the American Academy of Dermatology, the Canadian Dermatology Association and the Australian government strongly advise using a sunscreen that will protect against the full range of UVA and UVB rays (280 to 400 nanometers). This advice is given to offer you and your family protection from not only sunburns but also to help reduce the risk of skin cancer. Still, why is the sunscreen/cancer link perpetuated?

Due to awareness of the link between sun exposure and skin cancer, we use sunscreens more widely than years ago. Yet despite the awareness and our increased use of sunscreens, the number of cases of melanoma and other skin cancers continues to rise. The conclusion? Sunscreens must cause skin cancer.

Does This Link Make Sense?

Many health care professionals contend that in actuality sunscreen users feel overly confident about being protected from the sun’s rays when using sunscreen. And others may be choosing inferior products that are only offering partial coverage againt the sun’s UV rays. That’s why it’s so important to read labels and know whether the filters in the formulation are giving you full protection against both UVB and UVA rays. It’s also important to remember that your first line of defense against the sun’s harmful effects isn’t sunscreen, rather smart sun habits. This includes covering up with sun protective clothing like hats, long sleeves and sunglasses; seeking shade where possible; and staying out of the sun between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm when the sun’s rays are most intense.

Why UVA And UVB Protection Is Critical

Most healthcare professionals will agree that the proven benefits of UVA and UVB protection are far greater than the speculated risks of using sunscreens. We may not know for certain whether sunscreens lead to cancer (though it seems unlikely); we do know about the damaging effects that UVA and UVB rays have upon our skin and bodies. Both can lead to the development of skin cancer. The longer UVA rays can also lead to signs of accelerated aging such as wrinkles, leathery and sagging skin. It’s important that we protect ourselves from these rays with effective sunscreens that provide broad-spectrum coverage.

The use of topically applied antioxidants such as vitamins C and E can also protect skin from sun damage by boosting the effectivness of your sunscreen. Some sunscreens incorporate these vitamins. You may also want to consider applying a product like La Roche Posay Active C XL or La Roche Posay Active C that contains vitamin C prior to sunscreen application.

Which Sunscreen Works Best?

As a consumer, you have the choice of hundreds of sunscreen formulations to choose from. You probably realize that the level of protection offered by many of these sunscreens is less than ideal. Typically, the SPF or Sun Protection Factor (arguably, the measure by which most people judge the effectiveness of a sunscreen) reflects UVB protection only. An SPF rating doesn’t tell you how much UVA protection you‘re getting as a UVA rating system has not yet been developed for North America.

Sunscreens formulated with Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL as found in Anthelios sunscreens, protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Because each of us has a different skin type and lead different lifestyles, there are numerous Anthelios sunscreens available. Anthelios XL SPF 60, one of the best selling sunscreens in the Anthelios line offers face and body protection; Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Fluide Extreme is ideal for oily or sensitive facial protection.

Protecting your skin from the sun’s UV rays is critical. The benefits of doing so overshadow any potential (and as yet, unproven) risks of using sunscreens. Until a definitive link between sunscreen usage and skin cancer has been established, there’s every reason to continue enjoying the proven advantages of a well formulated sunscreen.

Sharmani Pillay is a Registered Pharmacist who specializes in anti aging skin care. She owns and operates an online skin care store at www.pharmacymix.com.