The best in UVA/UVB protection
“This issue is on the agenda for this year’s ICCR [International Cooperation on Cosmetic Regulation] process,” says Toronto’s Darren Praznik, president of the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. “But what’s critical is that there be international agreement on an accurate and efficient rating system.” Praznik explains that a comparatively small market like Canada’s could shut out hundreds of effective international products if we were to prematurely devise our own UVA rating system. For most international companies, the cost of relabelling their sun products to meet our standards simply wouldn’t be worth the extra investment. In the meantime, Health Canada does require companies to have at least one recognized UVA protective ingredient if they make any “UVA protection” or “broad spectrum” claims on their labels. Look for UVA protective ingredients such as Parsol 1789, also known as avo — or oxybenzone — titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. In many cases, however, you just won’t know how well it will protect you.
Cover your assets
Here are some of the latest and longest-lasting dermatologist-recommended UVA/UVB protective sunscreens available in Canada. Just remember that you need to apply UV-absorbing sunscreens up to 30 minutes before going out; UV-reflective sunblocks containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide can be applied immediately before exposure to the sun.
Vichy Laboratoires Capital Soleil Sunblock Cream SPF 60 ($28/150 mL): High UVA/UVB protection with long-lasting Mexoryl XL, Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) approved
RoC Minesol Protect Ultra High Protection Suncare Cream SPF 60 ($24/50 mL): High UVA/UVB protection with long-lasting Tinosorb M S, CDA approved, also available as a spray
La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Face and Body Cream SPF 60 ($18/100 mL): High UVA/UVB protection with Mexoryl XL, CDA approved
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Face Sunscreen SPF 45/60 ($13/88 mL): High UVA/UVB protection with Helioplex, CDA approved
Burt’s Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen with Hemp Seed Oil SPF 30 ($20/100 mL): High UVA/UVB protection with titanium dioxide and essential oils
KINeSYS Spray, SPF 30 ($17/120 mL): High UVA/UVB protection with Parsol 1789, also available as a cream
Label lexicon
SPF (sun protection factor) is an incremental sunscreen measurement from 0 to 65, which indicates a product’s effectiveness at preventing sunburn from UVB radiation. An SPF 15 product, for example, blocks approximately 92 per cent of the sun’s UVB rays; an SPF 30, 97 per cent.
UVB radiation An ultraviolet wavelength of sunlight responsible for burning, tanning and vitamin D production
UVA radiation More harmful than UVB, these ultraviolet rays don’t burn but are strong enough to penetrate glass and are the main cause of skin and eye damage as well as cancer.
Waterproof A sunscreen that maintains its SPF level of protection up to or after 80 minutes in water
Water resistant A sunscreen that remains effective up to or after 40 minutes in water
Want to save your skin from damage? Read Sunscreen: The facts and learn how to protect yourself
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2008 issue of More
