"Z Blok was the only sunscreen I used for our recent 22 day hike and climb of Mera Peak in the Nepalese Himalaya. The non greasy formula was perfect for use on an expedition where the first shower was on day 18! I'll never sail or climb without Z Blok in future."
Rufus Van Gruisen
Q: When should sunscreen be used?
Sunscreens should be used every day if you plan on
being outside. Even sitting by a window at home or
in a car exposes your skin to the sun’s UVA
rays, which penetrate glass. On a cloudy day, up to
80 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays will pass
through clouds.
Q: How often should sunscreen
be applied?
Most sunscreens should be applied to your skin 15
or more minutes before going outdoors. But sunscreens
with zinc or titanium oxide work right away because
their efficacy is not dependent on being absorbed
into the skin.
When applying sunscreen, pay particular attention to the face, ears, hands and arms, which typically get the most sun exposure. Also apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30. All sunscreens should be applied at least every 2 hours if swimming or perspiring heavily. Even sunscreens that claim to be water resistant lose their effectiveness with time and water exposure - you must re-apply to protect your skin.
Q. What is the difference between
UVA and UVB rays?
UVB rays are the cause of sunburn on the surface of
the skin. SPF only measures protection against UVB
rays.
UVA rays cause DNA damage to the cells deeper within the skin. It is this layer of cells that regenerates our skin and it is feared that damage to the DNA of these cells may increase a person's risk of developing dangerous types of skin cancer. UVA rays cause a substantial amount of skin damage (80-90% of premature aging of the skin is due to UVA rays).
Only sunscreens with the statement “Broad Spectrum Protection” on the front of the package have passed the FDA’s critical test for effectively blocking UVA and UVB rays.
Q: What does SPF mean?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Sunscreens SPF
ratings refer to the product's ability to prevent
sunburn caused by UVB rays. SPF does not indicate
how well the product protects against the sun's harmful
UVA rays.
Q: Does SPF 30 have twice as
much sun protection as SPF 15?
Not even close. SPF protection does not increase proportionately
with a designated SPF number. For instance, an SPF
of 15 blocks 92% of UVB rays and an SPF 30 blocks
97% of UVB rays. And no SPF number blocks 100% of
UVB rays. Google the government report “The
Burning Facts” to get the real facts.
Q. What type of sunscreen should
I use, and what ingredients should I look for?
There are many types of sunscreen, so selecting the
right one can be difficult. Ideally you should choose
a sunscreen that has an SPF of 15 or higher as far
as protecting against UVB rays are concerned. Obtaining
a broad spectrum of sun protection against both UVA
and UVB rays is also extremely important. Currently,
the broadest spectrum of coverage may be obtained
with sunscreens that contain zinc oxide. This active
ingredient provides the best protection. There are
certainly cheaper formulas, but usually you get what
you pay for.
Q: Is there a safe way to tan?
Simply put, no. A suntan is the result of the skin's
response to an injury. Tanning occurs when the sun's
rays penetrate the skin and cause the skin to produce
pigment to protect it. Exposure to the sun accelerates
the aging process and increases the risk for all types
of skin cancer. If you want to look pretty, smile
a lot. Everyone will love you for it, and there is
no apparent downside.
Q: Why Zinc Oxide?
Zinc oxide is best known as the sunblock of choice
for lifeguards who spend all day in the most intense
sunlight. Indeed, a recent study by the EPA ("The
Burning Facts") concluded that zinc oxide is
the only active ingredient to provide "extensive
protection" from cancer causing UVA rays in addition
to UVB rays, which is what SPF measures.
The first question most people ask about zinc oxide is "will I look pasty white like a life guard?" In the case of Z Blok™ (the Z stands for zinc oxide) the answer is no. The zinc oxide in Z Blok, called Clear Zinc™, is finely ground so that it will rub in clear. It is slightly harder to rub in than watery sunscreens, but totally worth the effort.
Q: Can sunscreens be organic?
No. Organic means all the ingredients are plant based. There is no such product on the market and as of now, there is zero evidence that any plant based ingredient blocks UVA or UVB rays at all. Eat your vegetables and apply mineral based sunscreens would be our suggestion.
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