| HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SUNSCREEN | |||
| The peak of summer is approaching and the topic of the season is…SPF!
As you’re vacationing and spending days out in the sun, it’s more important than ever to keep your skin protected. So we sat down with our favorite skin care guru LeeAnn Steffen, and Dr. Mittelman, to get their advice on how to choose the best sunscreen. Here’s what we learned. We at, Mittelman Plastic Surgery Center have a variety of sunscreen options to help you protect your skin. |
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| WHEN CHOOSING A SUNSCREEN, CONSIDER: | |||
| Broad Spectrum – This is the most important thing to look for when choosing an SPF, because it indicates that your sunscreen provides complete protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
SPF – The number of your perfect SPF varies based on your lifestyle. A golfer who spends his days outside in the sun, for example, may need a higher SPF than someone who’s in an office all day. If you’re mainly indoors, an SPF of 30 works for almost everyone, offering protection against interior UV lights. LeeAnn likes Elta md UV Daily Broad Spectrum SPF40 Sheer lightweight, hyaluronic acid and transparent zinc oxide and Dr. Mittelman likes Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF36. It combines antioxidants with hydrating moisturizers to defend against environmental pollutants and UVB/UVA which acts like a makeup while also providing great coverage. When you are in direct sunlight or going in the water, you’ll want to wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 50.
Physical vs Chemical – We generally suggest physical sunscreens for reducing damage to the skin and environment. When shopping for a physical sunscreen, look for the active ingredients Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide. However, there may be cases where a chemical sunscreen is a good fit; there are good chemicals, for example, that can help improve the wear ability of a sunscreen. We can provide you with some recommendations during your complimentary consultation.
Reef friendly – With Hawaii and Australia recently banning sunscreens that are not reef friendly (or environmentally friendly), this is a consideration that is becoming more important. We offer a variety of reef friendly SPF products at Mittelman Plastic Surgery Center and would be happy to make a recommendation that’s both reef-friendly, and a great option for your skin and lifestyle. We recommend the Alastin Sunblock SPF 30
Skin type – Those with oily skin will want to go for a lighter texture, oil free sunscreen. If you’re acne prone, you’ll want to be especially careful to choose an oil free SPF and may want to consider powder options. Those with dry skin, on the other hand, can tolerate a thicker texture, but will need a deeper exfoliation afterwards to keep their skin clean. We recommend the Eltamd UV Sport.
Tinted – An increasingly popular option, tinted SPFs keep your skin protected but can also serve as your makeup. In fact, LeeAnn says, “My goal is for you to only need tinted SPF, to not need makeup, to not need foundation. Your tinted SPF becomes your SPF and your make up all in one.” You can also add sunscreen to any makeup with SPF in it for deeper protection – don’t be afraid to mix! We recommend the Alastin HyrdaTint Pro Broad Spectrum
Complementary products – Always use your antioxidants in the summer. Your first layer of defense is the vitamin C in the morning. And your TriHex Peptides in the Alastin Skincare line day and evening. The important thing to remember for anyone using SPF on a daily basis is that you’ll want to exfoliate a couple of times a week to remove any residue.
We have a lot of great SPF products at Mittelman Plastic Surgery Center and we’d be happy to help you choose the best one for your skin and your lifestyle. Please call us to schedule a complimentary consultation with our aesthetician LeeAnn at (650) 941-8888. |
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