Sunscreen works by combining organic and inorganic active ingredients. Inorganic ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide reflect or scatter ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Organic ingredients like octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) or oxybenzone absorb UV radiation, dissipating it as heat. Some sunscreens protect us from the two types of damaging UV radiation: UV-A and UV-B. Both UV-A and UV-B cause sunburns and damaging effects such as skin cancer.

Sunscreen works by combining organic and inorganic active ingredients. Inorganic ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide reflect or scatter ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Organic ingredients like octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) or oxybenzone absorb UV radiation, dissipating it as heat.

Whether you're lounging on the beach, jetting down a ski slope or hiking up a mountain, when you're outside, you're pummeled by invisible rays that can cause your skin to darken and burn. This radiationultraviolet, or UVcan also damage DNA in your skin cells, causing genetic mutations that can lead to skin cancer. Fortunately, you can protect against many of the damaging effects of these rays with sunscreen.

Sunscreens, which can be sprays, lotions, gels or waxes, are usually made up of a mix of chemicals. Inorganic chemicals in sunscreen can reflect or scatter the light away from the skin, and organic (carbon-based) ones can absorb UV rays so that our skin doesn't.

Sunscreen works by combining organic and inorganic active ingredients. Inorganic ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide reflect or scatter ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Organic ingredients like octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) or oxybenzone absorb UV radiation, dissipating it as heat. Some sunscreens protect us from the two types of damaging UV radiation: UV-A and UV-B. Both UV-A and UV-B cause sunburns and damaging effects such as skin cancer.

Ultraviolet radiation is broken into three types of wavelengths:

UV-A: This is the longest wavelength and is not absorbed by the ozone. It penetrates the skin deeper than UV-B. UV-B: Responsible for sunburns. It is partially blocked by the ozone layer. UV-C: This is totally absorbed by the earth's atmosphere; we encounter it only from artificial radiation sources. Bottle of sunscreenWhen purchasing sunscreen, the Sun Protection Factor or SPF measures how effectively the sunscreen formula limits skin exposure to UV-B rays that burn the skin. The higher the SPF the more protection the sunscreen will provide against UV-B rays. SPF does not measure UV-A. If you are looking for UV-A protection, the experts recommend that you purchase a product that has broad-spectrum protection.

Sunscreen works by combining organic and inorganic active ingredients. Inorganic ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide reflect or scatter ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Organic ingredients like octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) or oxybenzone absorb UV radiation, dissipating it as heat. Some sunscreens protect us from the two types of damaging UV radiation: UV-A and UV-B. Both UV-A and UV-B cause sunburns and damaging effects such as skin cancer.

Ultraviolet radiation is broken into three types of wavelengths:

UV-A: This is the longest wavelength and is not absorbed by the ozone. It penetrates the skin deeper than UV-B. UV-B: Responsible for sunburns. It is partially blocked by the ozone layer. UV-C: This is totally absorbed by the earth's atmosphere; we encounter it only from artificial radiation sources.

Uploaded on Jun 13, 2011

Not all sunscreens are created equal. Listen to an explanation of how they work to reduce the risk of sunburn, early skin aging and cancer. And read the Consumer Update at http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/Consu... [vpdrugs]

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