Dallas County Living Well Magazine July/August 2016 | Page 33

Choosing the Best Sunscreen
By Shannon Davis
The best way to avoid painful sunburns, skin damage, and
a higher risk of skin cancer is by regularly wearing sunscreen while in the sun. But with so many sunscreens out
there, how do you tell which products are the best for you
and your family?
1. Look at the label. You do this with your food, and
it’s important to do this with what you put on your skin,
too. Anything you put on your skin absorbs into your blood
stream, so selecting a low-risk, non-toxic sunscreen is best.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has rated the
following ingredients as the top three safest products that
provide the best sun protection: zinc oxide and titanium
dioxide, avobenzone and mexoryl SX (or ecamsule). It’s
also important to select a sunscreen with broad-spectrum
protection, meaning it provides UVA and UVB protection.
The EWG recommends avoiding the following ingredients:
oxybenzone, vitamin A, which can also be called retinyl
palmitate or retinol, and added insect repellent. Oxybenzone can trigger allergic reactions, is a potential hormone
disruptor and can penetrate the skin in relatively large
amounts. Vitamin A is often used in night creams for its an-

tioxidant properties, helping to slow skin aging. However,
in the presence of sunlight, research has shown that it may
speed the development of skin tumors and lesions. Added
insect repellent, which may help to keep pests away, has
been shown to cause the sunscreen chemicals to break
down faster and leave you unprotected. If you need bug
spray, buy it separately and apply it first.
2. Know what SPF means. All SPFs provide the same
amount of protection, but the higher the SPF, the longer the
protection lasts. Anything higher than “SPF 50+” may tempt
you to stay in the sun longer, but this isn’t wise. Even if you
don’t burn, you are not protected from other kinds of skin damage. It is better to use SPF 30 – 50 and reapply more often.
3. Choose creams over aerosols and sprays. While
sprays and aerosols may be convenient, they may not be
the best choice. These products produce tiny particles in the
air that are not safe to breathe or ingest. Choosing creams
instead will protect your health and the air around you.
By following these three easy rules of thumb, you’ll be able
to apply long-lasting protection from the sun and harmful
skin damage. Enjoy these sunny, summer days!

The Hillcrest of North Dallas is a transitional care facility centrally located on Hillcrest Road just south of the George
Bush Turnpike. We are close to several hospitals including Baylor Regional Medical Center, Medical Center of Plano,
Methodist Richardson and Texas Health Presbyterian Plano. Our short-term rehabilitation services help bridge-thegap between the hospital and home allowing you to regain the skills needed to return to your independent lifestyle.
Our long term care services promote the physical and mental well-being of those we serve while assisting with all
the activities of daily living.
Some of our amenities include:
• Pre & Post-surgical care including IV therapy
• New state-of-the-art Therapy Gym
• 24 hour / 7 day RN staffing
• Private Medicare Suites
• Restaurant Style Dining Room service
• Hospice and Respite Care available
• Scheduled Activities 7 days a week
• Beautiful Courtyard and Gazebo

18648 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, TX 75252
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

DALLAS COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2016

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