Factor 8 sun cream is a type of sunscreen that provides moderate protection against UVB radiation. Here are some details, positive and negative aspects, and ingredients or materials related to sunscreen products:
Details:
- Sunscreens are rated on five factors encompassing overall ingredient hazard and product efficacy in providing sun protection.
- The efficacy of a sunscreen accounts for two-thirds of the score for products with lower health hazard concerns and for one-half the score in products with higher health hazard scores.
- The most common sunscreen actives are titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, benzophenone 8, octocrylene, and oxybenzone.
- Sunscreens that are not broad spectrum or that lack an SPF of at least 15 must carry a warning that states "Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging".
Positive aspects:
- Sunscreens containing inorganic particulates (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) provide a good option for individuals with sensitive skin.
- Octocrylene may be used in combination with other UV absorbers to achieve higher SPF formulas.
- Ensulizole or phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid is water-soluble and is used in products formulated to feel lighter and less oily, such as daily use cosmetic moisturizers.
Negative aspects:
- Some sunscreen ingredients can cause irritations and eczema when skin comes in contact with both the ingredient and sunlight.
- There is evidence that at least some sunscreen active ingredients may be absorbed through the skin and enter the body, making it important to perform studies to determine whether, and to what extent, use of sunscreen products as directed may result in unintended, chronic, systemic exposure to sunscreen active ingredients.
Ingredients or materials:
- Active ingredients in sunscreens are the ones that protect the skin from the suns harmful UV rays. Inactive ingredients are all other ingredients that are not active ingredients, such as water or oil that may be used in formulating sunscreens.
- Acceptable active ingredients in products that are labeled as sunscreen include aminobenzoic acid, avobenzone, cinoxate, dioxybenzone, homosalate, meradimate, octocrylene, octinoxate, octisalate, oxybenzone, padimate O, ensulizole, sulisobenzone, titanium dioxide, trolamine salicylate, and zinc oxide.
- Higher SPF products require a formula that provides a uniform and thick sunscreen film with minimum interaction of inert ingredients with the actives.
