Sunblock

These days when it comes to selecting the best available sunblock or sunscreen it can be a rather difficult process due to the fact that there are so many brands out there on the shelf. And because stores are stocking these brands you will naturally assume that these brands are all effective and have safe ingredients in them. Unfortunately in the day of profits and commercialism that is not the case. Many of the commercial sunblocks do actually contain chemicals that may be harmful to you. But with a little perseverance and scrutiny it is possible to hit trumps and find sunscreens that are effective and safe as well.

Sunblocks and sunscreens come in two basic types:

Physical Barrier Sunblocks. These types when applied to the skin will create a reflective surface on your skin and when any UV light hit’s the skin it scatters it off the skin’s surface. The active ingredients in these physical barrier blocks are zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Because these types of sunblocks can deal with both UVB and UVA sun rays they are considered to be the most effective of sunblocks. In a good quality sunscrren in this category will be made up of all natural ingredients, many of which you will be familiar with.

Chemical Barrier Sunblocks are the second category and how they work is to actually absorb UV light before it can cause any damage to the skin. When it comes to protecting against and preventing sunburn, these types of sunscreens are very effective. However the FDA has never tested or approved the chemicals in them for safety. The majority of popular brands of sunblock are chemical based. In order to have a sunblock to deal with both UVA and UVB radiation you need a product that has more than one active ingredient in it. And this is where a problem can occur as the more potentially hazardous chemicals in the sunscrren the more dangerous to your health it could actually be.

Camping and Outdoor Equipment

Sunblock

So when it comes to selecting a sun cream we recommend that you go for a physical barrier version. They may cost a little more but you are eliminating any risk of health problems from chemicals you know nothing about. Below is a list of the most commonly used toxic ingredients in sunscrren and if you can, you should avoid them. Studies have shown that many ingredients in sunblock possess toxic properties that are absorbed through the skin and as a result will end up in your bloodstream.

1- Avobenzone

2- Benzophenone-3

3- Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane

4- Oinoxate

5- Dicxybenzone

6- Homosalate

7- Menthyl anthranilate

8- Octocrylene

9- Octyl salicyclate

10- Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC)

11- Oxybenzone

12- Padimate O

13- Para amino benzoic acid and PABA esters

14- Phenylbenzimidazole

15- Sulisobenzone

16- Any type of salicylate

Selecting Sunblock

When it comes to choosing a sunscreen there are a couple of factors that need your consideration.

1- If you are planning to be out in the sun for a prolonged period of time on your camping trip then you require a sunblock that will offer you a SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher. And what we mean by a prolonged period of time is any time from 4 hours onwards.

2- Ideally you want a sunscreen that can protect you against both UVA and UVB rays for perfect sun protection. When camping or taking part in outdoor activities you will be confronted by both. A sunblock that protects against both rays is labelled as a broad spectrum sunscreen.

3- When it comes to selecting a sunblock all will have a SPF number rating on them to stipulate the effectiveness of that particular sunblock. Be aware though that the SPF number is only an indication against UVB rays. As of today there is still no rating system for UVA rays. So look for UV broad spectrum creams.

4- When it comes to applying your particular sunblock always do so generously. If you spread the sunblock too thinly over your skin the skin will not receive the intended protection. And if you are easily sunburnt additional protective clothing should be worn with the sunblock. Finding shade can also help you but this is not always possible.

Avoid

1- Chemical barrier sunblocks which are the most popular shelf fillers in stores. Unfortunately many of the well known brands that you are drawn to and know come under this category.

2- Spray on sunblocks. As easy as they are to use and apply there is always the risk of you inhaling some of the mist which is not pleasant and definitely not healthy. They are expensive as well due to their convenience of use and do not justify their price tags.

3- Sunblocks with fragrances. These can cause allergies and the fragrance may invite insects and bugs which you do not want. There are sunblocks as well with added bug repellents but these just add extra toxic chemicals to the sunscreen.

UV Light

Sunlight travels in waves and includes both visible light and invisible ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Visible and UV light sit adjacent to one another on the electromagnetic spectrum. This spectrum includes other forms of radiation, from radio waves and microwaves to X-rays and gamma rays.

Visible light waves range in length between 400 and 700 nanometers (nm); the shortest wavelength of visible light yields the color violet (400-420 nm). Ultraviolet light, meanwhile, travels in even shorter waves that range between 200 and 400 nm. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter

UVA Rays

These rays will deeply penetrate your skin. The results if they are allowed to is to cause aging, creating wrinkles and can even cause skin cancer. These rays are a subtle threat to your skin as they cause no discomfort to you when they impact the skin. They do not cause sunburn and their effects such as wrinkling are not immediately apparent. These UVA rays can impact the skin during any daylight hour and they can also penetrate any glass.

UVB Rays

These are the rays that cause the sunburning that many of us are familiar with. Again they are very dangerous as they can also lead to skin cancer. These rays are also a threat and can cause sunburn on cloudy or overcast days.

UVC Rays

These rays are extremely dangerous to humans and potentially deadly. However the gases in the earth’s atmosphere absorb these.

Sunblock SPF

The SPF level with any sunblock indicates the protection level of that particular sunblock. The higher the SPF a sunscreen has the beeter it is able to protect against the rays. This is only applicable for UVB rays as there is not a factor rating yet for UVA rays.

When it comes to the SPF rating of a sunblock they are usually between 2 and 50. SPF 30 is a good all round sunblock for active people on a camping trip or taking part in outdoor pursuits for elongated periods of time. In lab tests SPF 30 has been found to absorb 97% of all UVB rays. It is recommended that you not wear a sunblock with a SPF rating of less than 15.

If you are fair skinned and suffer badly from sun burn then you need the optimum protection and must look at creams and blocks in the SPF 40 - 50 regions.

Sunblock and UV Light

The way sunblock works is to absorb, reflect or scatter the UV rays. In chemical sunblocks the chemicals will absorb the rays and prevent them from impacting your skin. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide work by reflecting the rays away from your skin

When it comes to being waterproof it is better to categorize a sunblock as water repellent instead. When submerged in water all sunblocks lose their effectiveness. The same is true when the body sweats. So if you encounter water or do indeed find yourself sweating from exertions then you need to re apply the sunblock on a regular basis. Every hour or so is a good time span to work with. Spray on blocks are found to be even less effective than rub in blocks when it comes to the effects of water and sweating.

Using Sunblock

1- Be generous when applying sunscreen. Too thin a layer will be ineffective. Pay special attention to noses, ears and bald heads.

2- Apply sunblock about 30 minutes before being exposed to rays. This will give the skin enough time to absorb the sunscreen.

3- Reapply every 2 hours or so. If you enter water or sweat then reduce this time to every hour or so. But if you are sweaty or wet, dry yourself thoroughly before applying. Applying the sunblock in a shaded area is a good idea as it allows the skin to cool.

4- Always apply sunscreen when you have planned an extended time outdoors. Even if the sun is not a full force the UV light can penetrate overhead clouds. The sun peaks 10 am - 4 pm and when your shadow is shorter than you, the sun is at it’s most intense. So always ensure you are fully protected during these hours.

5- If you are at altitude remember that the higher you go, the thinner the atmosphere is. So you need to apply and re apply sunblock regularly.