What is Helioplex? Sunscreen update from Cara Linda

We’ve been hearing a lot about Helioplex on TV, and many doctors and even estheticians are now saying it’s the best sunscreen available.  But, I have to wonder if they really know what it is?

Helioplex  is a proprietary name (privately owned/controlled/used by Nutrogena) for a formulation of broad spectrum UVA/UVB skin protection containing Avobenzone and Oxybenzone.  Avobenzone containing products have decreasing efficacy after a few hours of sun exposure, but the addition of Oxybenzone reduces the amount of degradation that occurs.

Avabenzone, also know as Parsol 1789, is used in sunscreen products to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays.  It has been shown to degrade significantly in light, resulting in less protection over time.

Oxybenzone, also know as Bezophenone, is the most common ingredient used in sunscreen in the US.  It is also the most common sunscreen agent to cause photoallergic contact dermatitis.
(www.wikipedia.com)

So as you can see, Helioplex is really nothing new, just a new name for the same thing that is used in most sunscreens.

It is more important to look at the ingredients rather than the SPF on the label. Research shows that it takes nearly a golf ball sized amount, applied every 30 minutes to 2 hours, to get the true SPF on the label.  To date, zinc oxide, which occurs in nature as the mineral zincite, is the only sunblock ingredient that gives complete broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.  A revolutionary product called z-cote, which is micronized (transparent) zinc oxide is much more cosmetically elegant to apply, uses fewer chemicals and ingredients, and reduces the chance of irritation.  It offers the most advanced protection available against UVA, the absorbing, aging sun rays.  UVA rays penetrate 40% deeper than UVB (burning rays), attacking the collagen and elastin layer, thus causing wrinkles, premature aging and more serious skin conditions, such as cancer (American Soc for Derm Surg, 2000).

New on our horizon is the ingredient Mexoryl, which has been available in Europe and Canada for years.  I will provide more information for you on that ingredient and a new Vitamin C in my next update.

I hope you are all having a fabulous summer and Happy 4th of July.

To your skin health,
Linda

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