Comments on: Sunscreens – why you should use them daily

By: Trae

Trae — Wed, 18 May 2011 09:57:37 +0000

Really enjoyed this article, Colin. It’s great to hear a cosmetic chemist’s perspective on the issue of sunscreens. I’m currently experimenting more with physical sunscreens myself, as I have sensitive skin and most chemical sunscreens always seem to sting when I apply them. It seems that there are an increasing number of SPF 30 and higher physical screens becoming available here, as dermatologists in the US seem to really push a minimum of SPF 30 for daily facial use, though, as you mentioned, the numbers don’t go nearly as high as they do for chemical screens [I've seen SPFs of up to 110 here LOL].

Josh, I’m not sure if it’s already available where you are but I know that La Roche-Posay is releasing an entirely titanium-dioxide-based [no zinc oxide] product in the States this month that supposedly rates at SPF 50/PPD 21 called ‘Anthelios 50 Mineral’ with an ‘Ultra Light’ consistency ^_^

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 07:54:22 +0000

Hi Colin,

I really enjoy reading your articles and find this one very refreshing (and I agree with you completely).

I wonder if you could do more on sunscreens and in particular UV protection and alternative methods?

I’m particularly interested in hearing your perspective on alternative ingredients that might protect against UV damage. I’ve read a number of stories on various cosmetic industry news sites over the years about ingredients like broccoli extract providing superb protection in tests, yet, years later it’s not appearing (that I can find) in any products. Others like lycopene are also mentioned often but are incredibly hard to find in a finished product.

I struggle with traditional sunscreens. I find chemical ones have the best finish but they usually irritate my skin. Zinc oxide also irritates my skin (I’ve tried dozens of formulas, keeping a spreadsheet of all the ingredients and even tried the powder on it’s own mixed into a cream that doesn’t irritate my skin so I know it does). The only filter I’m left with is titanium dioxide and elegant formulas containing it are few and far between. Hence my interest in alternatives!

Thanks a lot and keep up the great work!!

By: Does eating sugar give you wrinkles? | Colin's Beauty Pages

Does eating sugar give you wrinkles? | Colin's Beauty Pages — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:24:48 +0000

[...] won’t ever be shown that sugar causes premature wrinkles in the skin. Things like smoking and sun exposure are so significant in skin ageing, that I think that these factors are much more significant. And [...]