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We started offering Special Sunscreens at the request of
our lupus customers who needed exceptional coverage to be outdoors. Since
some of us here at SunGrubbies.com are now entering that time in life
when the aging affects of sun damage are showing... and it is not a pretty
picture :-) ... we also began researching the area of sunscreens with
regards to anti-aging. If you are like us, you are asking yourself "Should
I spend that much money on a "Special Sunscreen"?" A good question.
Here’s what we found:
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1. Total Block and COTZ products
Claim to Fame: Full spectrum protection (UVB/UVA, visible and infrared)
Total Block and COTZ products are unique in
their ability to prevent photo and cellular damage to the skin,
regardless of the source: airborne pollutants, wind, and the damaging
effects of radiation.
Total Block is unique in that it blocks UVB/
UVA, visible & infrared, offering full spectrum protection
for photosensitive individuals.
Total Block is so effective because it is formulated
with a multitude of ingredients to protect against all forms of
light, especially UVA/UVB, and their harmful effects. Total Block
utilizes nanoparticle technology in the form of eight dispersed,
highly reflective particles, ranging in size from 10 microns down
to a few nanometers (a billionth of a meter, or 3,000 particles
to cover the cross section of a hair). These particles form a
wall of reflection. In addition, there are three soluble organic
chemical sunscreen absorbers (Non-PABA), to assure continuous
protection.
Enhancing Total Block's protective capabilities
are six antioxidants and trace elements; Vitamin C, two forms
of Vitamin E, along with Maritime Pine extract (Pycnogenol™),
all designed to counteract free-radical damage and increase protection
from Ultraviolet and acute oxidation damage. Also among these
protective ingredients is an organic selenium protein complex,
which has demonstrated to reduce acute skin cell damage due to
ultraviolet exposure, and Elefac™ I-205 which gives a proven,
patented, ultraviolet protection factor boost and strengthens
atmospheric skin-shield effectiveness.
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2. IS Clinical
Claim to Fame: Enhanced sun protection with micro-encapsulation technology and
antioxidant protection
IS Clinical specializes in both SPF and skincare
technology called Treatment Sunscreens. Treatment Sunscreens are
clinically proven to protect and heal the skin. Using micronized
zinc, micro-encapsulated octinoxate and a proprietary combination
of Centella asiztica (promotes wound healing, powerful antioxidant),
alpha Tocopherol (pure vitamin E - potent hydrating antioxidant),
and the botanical olive leaf extract (promotes wound healing,
potent antioxidant).
Although the label claims the Moisturizing Treatment
Sunscreens are SPF 20, they actually provide a protection factor
of SPF 26 as measured by FDA approved clinical testing methods.
FDA guidelines allow for SPF ratings of 15, 20 and 30 only. I
IS Clinical feels that many companies introduce
various sun protection products formulated with the necessary
ingredients to reach recommended SPF levels and with antioxidants
for mere claim value. The problem that arises is most sunscreen
products are not formulated with the essential, deliverable antioxidants
to truly protect and heal the skin. Additionally, most products
are not formulated to protect the antioxidants from chemical breakdown
by the sunscreen chemicals themselves, thus leaving the skin exposed
to potential toxicity and further damage.
IS Clinical sunscreens are remarkable because
they use a revolutionary "microencapsulated" version
of only one active sunscreen ingredient, rather than many non-encapsulated
chemical ingredients at higher concentrations, as in most sunscreens
that attain high SPFs. By encapsulating the chemical active ingredient
with this unique "micro-encapsulation technology," they
have been able to attain a higher SPF with virtually no toxicity
potential.
Encapsulation technology:
Protects user by "packaging" the active
sunscreen ingredient within a microcapsule, thus eliminating direct
contact of the active ingredient with the skin.
- Creates less potential of absorption of the sunscreen into
the skin itself, as the encapsulated sunscreen active ingredient
can remain in thin liquid layers on top of the skin where it
can more effectively absorb damaging photons from the sun.
- Other non-encapsulated sunscreens must use at least three
sunscreen chemicals to achieve the same SPF factor. The use
of these additional chemical elements creates a high potential
for irritation and damage to the dermal layers.
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3. Why are antioxidants important?
Although the sunscreens actually block the sun's
rays from hitting the skin, they cannot be 100% effective and
some sunlight reaches the skin surface where it can potentially
do damage. Topical antioxidants are required due to the significant
amount of free radical damage that occurs as a result of sun exposure.
Additionally, some of the sunlight reaching the skin is reflected
back up, hits the sunscreen and is sent back into the skin.
Because of this type of boomerang effect, most
of the sunlight that gets through the sunscreen on its first pass
is eventually absorbed by the skin, causing free radical damage.
Skin damage resulting from UV exposure is very
rapid. Antioxidants must be present in sufficient amounts and
on the skin surface at the very beginning as well as during oxidative
stress and sun exposure.
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