Block it!

Gone were the days where we have sunny but cool days. I used to like the sunny weather, I used to have no complains walking under the sun.. Heck, I even used to get all down and dirty in sports under the sun... I USED to. Not now.

Why?

Well, don't you all agree that the temperature on a sunny day is slowly increasing to a nearly unbearable heat? Don't you feel that your skin burns as you stay longer under the sun? Soon Malaysia may as well turn into an urban desert.
Global warming is happening. The ozone layer is slowly depleting. More UV rays from the sun is coming in, 'attacking' our skin!


"So what?" you say.. "It's just heat, you won't melt. Look at those who live in the dessert. They're fine, just a lil' darker. That's all."

Well, let me ask you. Do you like to have flaky skin? Do you wanna feel your skin burn with every touch?

Yikes!

UV rays are not a laughing matter. It can easily cause various diseases, even skin cancer. Yup, you heard me right. CANCER!

So how do we minimise the UV rays from attacking our skin?

Sunblock, of course!


There are many chemicals mixed together in a sunblock to create an invisible protective shield for our skin from the UV rays. There are two types of sunblock agents, namely the chemical sunblock and the physical sunblock. UV rays can also be classified in two types - UVA and UVB.

Let's start with introducing our invisible enemies - UVA and UVB.
UVA and UVB just stands for Ultraviolet type-A and Ultraviolet type-B. The difference is their wavelength. Both contributes in premature aging of the skin and also skin cancer as they can penetrate deep into the skin.
Which is more dangerous you say?
I'd say both. Malaysia has an average of 6 hours of sunlight daily. I bet UVA and UVB are in abundance where the sun shines.

So how does the sunblock 'fights' the evil UV rays?

They absorb, reflect or disperse the UV rays before it penetrates your skin! As I have stated before, there are two types of sunblock agents.

First, we have chemical sunblock. The active ingredients are:
*inhales*

Aminobenzoic acid
Avobenzone
Cinoxate
Dioxybenzone
Homosalate
Menthyl anthranilate
Octocrylene
Octyl methoxycinnamate
Octisalate
Oxybenzone
Padimate O
Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid
Sulisobenzone

Whoa.. Did I just bore you with all those chemical names? =D

All those chemicals stated are 'in charge' for specially blocking either UVA, UVB or both.
They protect your skin from the UV rays by absorbing it BEFORE YOUR SKIN absorbs it instead.

Example: Avobenzone with molecular formula C₂₀H₂₂O₃ absorbs the UV rays and convert them to a less harmful infrared ray dissipated as heat.

*click image to view the full size*

Above are some examples of chemical reaction with the UV light of certain active chemicals as chemical sunblocks.

Next up, physical sunblock. Don't let this term fool you. It still involves chemistry =)
This is named physical sunblock because it blocks all kinds of UV light / broad spectrum.
The main active ingredients would be Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂₎ and Zinc Oxide (ZnO).

Titanium oxide is a compound with high refractive index, strong UV light absorbing capabilities and high resistance to discolouration under ultraviolet light.

Titanium dioxide reaction with UV rays

On the other hand, zinc oxide has high refractive index, good thermal, binding, antibacterial and UV-protection properties.

Structural formula of ZnO

Similarly, both chemicals reflects harmful UV rays off your skin!

left: Physical sunblock, right: Chemical sunblock

Now you know why sunblocks are expensive. Extensive research and many chemicals are involved to keep your skin safe from UV damage.
Would you rather not buy a sunblock to save your money and let your skin suffer or buy a sunblock, use it, and have a minimal damage to your skin?

You decide. ;)

I don't have to use the term "used to" anymore..
Now, I just slap on my sunblock filled with protective chemicals and I'm good to go under the sun . =)

~MkLq~