WE'LL TEACH YOU ALL YOU NEED TO
KNOW ABOUT STAYING SAFE
IN THE SUN
To help protect our skin from invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, namely UVA and UVB rays. UVC rays are short wavelength and do not reach the earth's surface.
UVA: Most of us are exposed to large amounts of UVA throughout our lifetime. UVA rays account for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Although they are less intense than UVB, UVA rays are 30 to 50 times more prevalent. They are present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year, and can penetrate clouds and glass.
UVB: The chief cause of skin reddening and sunburn, tends to damage the skin's more superficial epidermal layers. It plays a key role in the development of skin cancer and a contributory role in tanning and photoaging. Its intensity varies by season, location, and time of day. The most significant amount of UVB hits the U.S. between 10 AM and 4 PM from April to October. However, UVB rays can burn and damage your skin year-round, especially at high altitudes and on reflective surfaces such as snow or ice, which bounce back up to 80 percent of the rays so that they hit the skin twice.
Since both UVA and UVB are harmful, you need protection from both kinds of rays. To make sure you're getting effective UVA as well as UVB coverage, look for a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
The FDA does not allow ANY sunscreen to claim Waterproof. If a label says Waterproof, DO NOT use it!
There are only two allowed Water-Resistant ratings, 80- minute or 40- minute. Advances in research have allowed companies to formulate sunscreens that adhere well to your skin. However, regardless of the claims, you will have to reapply if you’re sweating heavily or doing activity in the water.
A mineral sunscreen is just what it sounds like—a sunscreen that uses minerals as its active ingredients. The minerals most often used are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. ... Mineral sunscreens are sometimes called physical sunscreens because they provide a physical barrier between your skin and the sun's rays. Plus, they are not absorbed by the skin, so they are advantageous for those who have sensitive, easily irritated or young skin. Physical sunscreens start protecting skin immediately, so there is a very short wait time after application.
Chemical sunscreens contain organic (carbon-based) compounds, such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate and avobenzone, which create a chemical reaction and work by changing UV rays into heat, then releasing that heat from the skin. They are often referred to as chemical or organic absorbers. Some chemical sunscreens are not photo-stable and do not protect against broad spectrum UV light. Chemical sunscreens should be applied 20 to 30 minutes prior to sun exposure, giving them adequate time to form a protective layer in the skin. Since chemical sunscreens are absorbed, some people with sensitive skin react to them.
—SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor
—SPF measures sunscreen protection from UVB rays, the kind
that cause sunburn and contribute to skin cancer.
—SPF does not measure how well a sunscreen will protect
from UVA rays, which are also damaging and dangerous.
—Dermatologists recommend using a SPF15 or SPF30 sunscreen. Higher SPFs don't provide much more protection.
—The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) scale is not linear:
SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays
SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays
SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays
It is very unlikely that you’re applying too much sunscreen — most people don’t apply enough, which is why undesirable sunburns and tanning can occur despite sunscreen application.
SPF ratings are significantly decreased if you don’t apply enough!!!
To achieve the Sun Protection Factor (SPF, which protects against the sun’s UVB radiation) reflected on a bottle of sunscreen, you should use approximately two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin. ,,, So what does that mean….it means applying the equivalent of a shot glass (2-3 tablespoons) of sunscreen to the exposed areas of the face and body – a nickel-sized dollop to the face alone. Also remember, no matter how much sunscreen you apply, the SPF should be 15 or higher for adequate protection – and ideally 30 or higher for extended time spent outdoors.
Don’t forget hard to reach and easily forgotten places like your ears, feet and upper back.
Remember, no sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays.
Wear Protective Clothing:
Not all clothing is created equal.
However, long-sleeved shirts and long pants can help protect your skin from sun damage. Wear a hat to offer your face extra shade and protect your scalp. Please note, just wearing a hat without applying sunscreen to face, ears, neck and scalp will not always protect you from UVB/UVA rays.
Look for tightly-woven fabric and dark colors, which offer the most protection.
Remember those sunglasses! The sun’s UV rays can cause cataracts, so purchase a pair that block UVB and UVA rays.
Stay in the shade:
Even when you’re wearing sunscreen, you’ll still be exposed to the sun’s powerful rays.
Staying in the shade or using a sun umbrella will help protect you from sun damage.
Avoid “peak hours.” The sun is highest between 10AM and 2 PM. If you can, avoid sun exposure during this time. Seek shade if you’re out and about during this time.
Why did I burn using your sunscreen?
We pride ourselves in making the safest and most effective sunscreens available and we care deeply for you, our customer, and for your wellbeing. We hope that our answers below might help you to understand how you might have been sunburned while using our product.
Applying mineral sunscreens can be challenging, and incorrect application can result in less protection. Here are the top reasons why you may have gotten burned while using a TropicSport Mineral Sunscreen. You did not apply enough. Mineral sunscreens can be thicker than chemical sunscreens and somewhat harder to apply. People often apply far too little of mineral sunscreen. Applying half the amount of sunscreen you should use provides only the square root of the SPF, so a half application of SPF 30 only gives you an SPF 5.5
Some of your sunscreen washed off in the water or by sweating, or it was rubbed off on clothes or a towel. Remember, mineral sunscreens like TropicSport sit on top of the skin and can be rubbed off. We, the FDA, and all sunscreen manufacturers recommend reapplication every two hours, and after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
Some medications make you more sensitive to the sun. Please read more about any medications you may be taking and please take any ‘avoid the sun’ warnings seriously.
Your tube of sunscreen has compromised stability due to poor storage or is expired.
* Please contact our customer service team if you have any further concerns or questions.
Why are natural sunscreens more expensive than regular chemical sunscreens?
The price of ingredients in our mineral sunscreens is significantly higher than the price of ingredients in chemical sunscreens. For example, the main base ingredient in most conventional sunscreens is water; Additionally, the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide used in all of our sunscreens is the single most expensive active ingredient used in sunscreens. Most common sunscreens are made entirely of relatively inexpensive synthetic chemicals, which is why they are so cheap. We believe that our formula’s with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and natural ingredients we use make our product superior in performance and aesthetics, but they are also more expensive.
Does your mineral sunscreen contain Parabens?
No, TropicSport Mineral Sunscreen does not contain any parabens.
Does TropicSport contain PABA?
No. We only use ingredients that are gentle and non-irritating. We would not use an ingredient such as PABA in TropicSport Mineral Sunscreens.
Does TropicSport Mineral Sunscreen contain fragrance?
Yes, TropicSport Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF30 does contain fragrance. We call it “vacation in a bottle”, that is why it smells so good. WE only use a small amount in our formula.
Does TropicSport have a Fragrance Free Mineral Sunscreen?
Yes, TropicSport Broad Spectrum SPF30, Facestick is fragrance free!!! It is also all natural ingredients.
Is this safe for my kids?
Yes, our formula uses minerals not chemicals for active ingredients. The zinc oxide and titanium dioxide minerals we use are non-nano, so they stay on the surface creating a barrier from the sun vs. seeping into your child’s bloodstream. Because there are no chemicals, it won’t sting their eyes either.
Can I use this on my face?
Yes, our formula was designed to be used on both the body and face because there are no harsh chemicals in the active ingredients, which can be too much for sensitive skin like your face..
My dermatologist says I should be wearing SPF50 or higher. Is SPF30 enough?
SPF30 protects you from 97% of the UV rays. SPF50 improves by only 1% to 98% due to the logarithmic scale of the protection factor.
I don’t wear sunscreen every day. Don’t I need some sun in order to get my Vitamin D supply?
Yes, you need some sun, but it’s only 15-20 minutes per week. We all are exposed every time we leave the house - even under cloud cover - so we should wear sunscreen every day we’re outside.