Frankly, I think that almost everyone who reads my blog on the regular wears sunscreen all year regardless of whether they live in the Sunbelt or in the frozen North. So I assume you know that even on cloudy, gloomy days, the sun’s damaging rays still reach us. Even if you’re spending the day indoors but get light from your windows and even blue rays from your computer or phone, you need sunscreen.
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I wrote yesterday about one of my tried and true products for getting rid of blemishes due to maskne or anything else, Theraderm Reversion Spot Treatment PM (here). And I’ve written about lots of Theraderm skincare products over the past year. In fact, a number of them made my list of Skincare Faves for 2020.
Now let me tell you about another of my Theraderm favorites: Platinum Protection Facial Sunscreen SPF 43.
I love it because it has a slightly higher SPF, but not so high that it’s adding additional chemicals to my skin. When I’m outdoors in the snow on a bright, sunny winter day, that extra amount of protection comes in handy. Platinum Protection is a combination sunscreen with both physical and chemical sunscreen ingredients.
Theraderm Platinum Protection Facial Sunscreen SPF 43 is a rich, protective, white cream that goes on clear and does not leave a white cast on my face. In fact, it serves as a good primer when I wear foundation.
It has no added fragrance and is essentially fragrance-free. The tube contains 3 fl. oz./90 ml and is priced at $31. It’s gluten-free and oil-free. Check it out on the Theraderm website.
Ingredients:
- Purified water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Octyl Stearate, Ethyl Hexyl Isononanoate, Zinc Oxide, Oxtinoxate, Octisalate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Glycereth-26, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyl dimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Polyether-l, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, lodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Tocopheryl acetate, Ascorbyl palmitate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
When I first wrote about Theraderm, I provided a little background on Theraderm Clinical Skincare’s founder and CEO, Dr. James Beckman, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.
He started his practice in 1977 treating patients with severe burns. In fact, in order to improve the quality of life including full mobility for his burn patients with skin-grafted hands, he created Beckman’s Skin Cream.
Dr. Beckman continued to create more skincare products for his patients because there were no suitable products available at the time. By 1996, the Theraderm Skin Renewal System that I wrote about last spring (reviewed here) was complete. Since then, he has continued to innovate and introduce new products to the Theraderm collection.
Dr. Beckman has 7 key reasons that he shares with his patients about why it is vital to wear sunscreen all year round:
- The Ozone Layer is Thinnest in Winter – Ozone production increases more quickly in warm temperatures and more slowly in cold. For this reason, the ozone layer is thinner at the earth’s poles where temperatures are very low, and the coverage is thinnest elsewhere around the globe during the colder winter months. That means even though the sun doesn’t feel as hot, you are actually exposed to greater intensity UV rays.
- Even Indoor Lighting Can Damage Skin – Even though we’ve been quarantining for nearly a year now, studies indicate that the light from computers, TVs, cell phone screens and even lamps and other types of indoor lighting may be adding to skin damage. Daily application of sunscreen will protect your skin from damage caused by exposure to any light waves.
- Snow and Ice Reflect Sunlight Which Intensifies UVA/UVB Rays – Just as water intensifies UVA/UVB rays from the sun; snow, and ice in the wintertime also increase the intensity of the sun’s rays and your risk for skin damage.
- Winter Weather Makes Sunscreen Wear off Faster Than Normal – Everyone knows that sweating, swimming, or spending time at the beach in the heat of summer will make sunscreen come off more quickly. What most people don’t realize, is that wind, snow, sleet, and the low temperatures themselves all combine to weaken sunscreen, so you’ll need to reapply frequently for optimal protection.
- The Effects of Sun Exposure are Cumulative – The more time your skin is exposed to UVA/UVB rays over a lifetime, the greater your risk for skin cancer. Studies indicate that high levels of lifetime sun exposure are responsible for most cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer.
- You’re Actually Closer to the Sun – If you live in the Northern hemisphere, then you’re actually closer to the sun in the winter months. The Earth is farthest from the sun in July and closest to the sun in January, causing more intense UVA/UVB rays that can adversely affect your skin.
- Sunscreen Expires. Use it Before That Happens – Most sunscreen begins to diminish in efficacy after just 12 months, so if you’re holding onto your tube of sunscreen to use next summer, you may find yourself getting burned more easily by the less effective sun protectant. Don’t hang on to that half-empty bottle of sunscreen until next summer. Use it up over the winter to keep your skin looking great!
Wasn’t that point about being closer to the sun interesting? I certainly didn’t know about that one. I think I thought it was the other way around, duh.
That last point is one that I truly need to remember and do something about! I have so many different bottles and tubes of sunscreen or moisturizers with sunscreen that I am having a hard time using them up. I should give some away.
What is your go-to sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF these days?
I agree with the premise of your post wholeheartedly. In fact, in my opinion sunscreen is by far the most important skincare step that one can take!
Lola Seicento recently posted…January 2021 Empties
Great information. I’m sure this is a wonderful sunscreen. I’m never without.
MarciaF recently posted…New! Butter by Keba + Unity Code!
Astronomy is so fascinating! I always thought it was a bit ironic that it’s winter where I live even though the planet is in perihelion (closest to the sun).
Glamorable recently posted…Paul & Joe Beaute Winter 2020/21 Swatches & Review
Very strange phenomenon that I was unaware of, I’m ashamed to admit
100% completely agree with you! Since I live in Arizona, it’s sunny most days, so it’s imperative that I protect myself. I am very fair skin and am a SPF habitual user.
I heard that AZ is having some wild weather right now, but absolutely SPF is a must in your state. That sun is so strong year round!
I am a big SPF fan. Right now, I’m using Elta MD tinted sunscreen.
I still haven’t tried anything from Elta, and it seems like either Lovelyskin or Lookfantastic is always having sales on the brand. BTW, I am on the fence about the Tula sunscreen. Have you moved away from using it?
I ran out of the Tula and then Elle Inner Circle sent me the Elta MD. I had previously used a sunscreen from them and really liked it, so this has been a win. The fact that it’s tinted means it evens out my skintone nicely for when I go out.
The Tula sunscreen really surprised me in some ways. It is really glowy or shiny, even. I’m a little on the fence about it because of that because I’m not wearing foundation or anything to tone it down, lol.
I always used setting powder with the Tula.
That makes total sense. I had given up powder over the past few years, but I may have to see if I have any and give it a try.