Even during the winter months, it’s important to remind your clients to use sunscreen every day. Studies show that UVA rays (most often linked to skin cancer and aging) are present from sunrise to sunset every day, all year round, even in the winter and on cloudy days. To make matters worse, of the UV radiation that reaches the earth, only 5 percent are UVB rays (the ones responsible for those nasty sunburns), while 95 percent are UVA rays. Now, SkinCeuticals has come out with a new sunscreen that works even better at shielding skin from UVA rays year-round. It features Mexoryl, an ingredient new to the U.S. that has everyone talking.

What it does
Mexoryl has been used for over a decade in countries around the world, but was only recently approved by the FDA for use in the United States – the first sun filter in a sunscreen to be approved in 18 years. Active UV Defense SPF 15, SkinCeutical’s new sunscreen using mexoryl is the first product in the professional skin care industry to use the ingredient. Mexoryl works by protecting against short-wave UVA rays – which is not necessarily unique. What is unique is that instead of degrading fairly quickly after being hit by the short UVA rays, mexoryl is photostable and protects the skin longer. To protect from the long-wave UVA rays, the formula also includes two percent Avobenzone. The company hasn’t forgotten about the UVB rays either – the sunscreen also includes 10 percent Octocyrlene to inactivate nearly all UVB rays.

The latest sunscreen
SkinCeuticals’ formula is lightweight, fragrance-free and designed to be worn for everyday activities. It’s also water and sweat resistant. It should be used every day, 30 minutes prior to sun exposure, and is perfect for skin exposed to brief, but frequent UV rays – so you know your clients are protected year-round no matter what they are doing. For more information, go to www.skinceuticals.com.

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