Finding the Right Sun-Care
Product for Your Retail Area
Understand the difference between physical versus chemical sunscreens.
According to Sandford-Lopez, chemical sunscreens have ingredients (i.e. avobenzone) that absorb
UV light, turn it into heat and prevent it from passing into the skin. Physical sunscreens contain
ingredients (i.e. zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) that create a layer on the skin that reflect UV
light away. “Ideally, sell or use a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB to get protection against both UVA
(cancer-causing and premature aging) and UVB (sunburn-causing) rays,” she says.
Pay attention to ingredients.
According to Crary, a good sunblock should be judged just as much on what it doesn’t contain as
what it does. “A quality sun protection product should feature zinc oxide as a key ingredient
because it is the safest, natural protection against UV rays,” she says.
Dr. Johnson says, while zinc and titanium provide full-spectrum coverage, they are not waterresistant. “Scalar waves are a new technology that provides sun protection and do not wash off,”
he says.
Reddington recommends sun-care products containing aloe vera, noni and arnica Montana
flower extract which help to cool and restore damaged skin to its healthy, balanced state. Mao
also suggests plant-based ingredients, such as plankton, red algae, and red raspberry seed oil,
which have innate sun protection qualities and help boost sunscreen’s SPF value, naturally.
Avoid harmful ingredients.
“We believe that the most important things to keep away from are no-no ingredients, such as
oxybenzone, parabens, paba, petroleum and phthalates,” says Mao.
Schott also advises staying away from talc and dyes but look for good-for-you ingredients like
antioxidants, vitamin E and peptides. “This is especially important post-treatment when the skin
is at its most sensitive and vulnerable,” she says.
Choose multi-tasking products.
“Look for multi-tasking sunscreen products that offer treatment benefits, such as those with
Vitamin C and melatonin. Melatonin prevents dark discolored spots (melasma, sun spots) by
reducing levels of the enzymes that cause these spots (tyrosinase, MSH),” says Thomas.
Carry a good mix.
“One-size certainly does not fit all when it comes to sun care! We develop more than 30 formulas
because there are a variety of skin types, skin tones, and needs,” says Mao.
Thus, make sure to have a good mix. “Having a mix of sun-care options to offer spa guests can
be quite appealing,” says Selwitz, whose Asian-inspired parasols are made with UPF 50+ and
handmade by villagers in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
August 2016
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