Q: What do you look for in a sunscreen? For me the most important considerations are high UVA protection (yay hyperpigmentation-prone life), light texture and lack of white cast.
My main would be something non sticky and that doesn't pill under makeup. So far my best has been EVY face mousse, which gives a really soft moisturising, and I'm currently trying out the Heliocare oil free version which is supposed to be dry touch and I find that buffing my foundation on top is a no go 💩
I also watch dr dray and enjoy her info, but she insists that the percentage of zinc or titanium in a mineral sunscreen does not matter (a 2% = a 22% ; I’m like, really?!?!). I find it hard to trust this specific thing she says. The girl in this channel said that the highest the percentage the better, and to me this makes much more sense. I really like my current sunscreen (CoTZ untinted for sensitive skin) it has 20% zinc oxide only and doesn’t give me a white cast and I’m not white!
greentree labmuffin really never says that more active ingredients == higher protection! This is actually a common misconception people use to predict the spf or uvapf of sunscreens based on percentages given for the active ingredients. It depends a lot more on things like the formulation, manufacturing, stabilization and inactive ingredients. So dr Dray and labmuffin are both in the right :p
9:05 best uva filters: avobenzone when stabilized, zinc oxide when in high %. 10:29 new stable uva filters: Tinosorb S, Tinosorb M, Mexoryl XL (L'Oreal, LRP) 10:44 more new stable uva filters: Uvinul A Plus, Mexoryl SX, Neo Heliopan AP. 10:46 some old filters also protect against uva: oxybenzone, octocrylene, titanium dioxide.
I have installed UV blocking films on my windows. Some places can cut them for you and let you install them yourself. It's easy and not that expensive. It's better to get indoor films since they last longer.
Nicki Pelazza damn i’m surprised this isn’t more of a thing overseas, in asia , specifically southeast, we tint everything from house windows to car windows 😂 literally everyone tints their windows! Then again the 365 sun here is brutal compared to y’alls weather
@@maann89 Yo! Which SEA country are you from? I'm from Malaysia. And yes, we tint all glass windows be it car, houses or office buildings. I'm also a huge fan of blackout curtains. lolol
Thank you for properly educate us on sunscreen and sun protection in stead of making us believe that the higher spf sunscreen offers the longer you can stay safely under the sun.
A very comprehensive video. UVA protection isńt something I cared about back in the days (well, no one really did), and I can see the effects on my skin clearly.
if anyones interested in looking for a sunscreen, Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence (SPF50 PA ++++). it doesnt use zinc oxide/titanium dioxide (no white cast!) & uses Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinal A Plus, 10:30 in video). also, its light & isnt oily. another similar one that has Uvinal A Plus is Kose Sekkisei White UV Gel (SPF50+/PA++++ ) but one of the main ingredient is alcohol which may be a turn off for some both are asian brands (korean & japanese respectively)
This is a wonderful backgrounder, Miss Muffin. I thought I'd chosen effective sunscreens but now I realize I have to start again. I'm also impressed by how well you deliver such dense information with an uhm or a pause. Thank you for the time and thought that goes into your preparation.
I am also a PhD in chemistry. I work in the cosmetic industry, my research interests specifically Sun protection. I have been researching & studying the effects of sun on human skin for 23 yrs! Interesting to see so many so called self appointed sunscreen Gurus ! Yes it is important to protect ourselves,yes UV rays can cause cancer,ageing but the extent of damage varies with the palest of skin being the most vulnerable! But as Asian, you have more natural melanin which protects your skin! Your skin s sunscreen requirements vastly varies & needs less than a pale redhead! By all means a day out on the beach warrants a good sunscreen but Asian & darker skin tones are very unlikely to get skin cancer or deep wrinkles just because of driving to work & UVA exposure thru window, your natural melanin will protects! 23 years of research has shown us that Chinese,Japanese , Indian & darker skin tones are far less adversely effected by sun exposure whether it is skin ageing or skin cancer from sun exposure compared to paler Caucasian skin. Yes Asian skin & darker skin tones will tan quickly ( in this case natural tan is your skin protecting you) unlike a caucasian with very pale skin burning to catch a tan! Sun is not completely our enemy! Your bones need vitamin D, if using sunscreen every single sunny or cloudy day even for a car drive you are depriving yourself of Vitamin D! Asian obsession with paler skin is what is behind to a certain extent the so called sunscreen obsession! As a lucky dark toned Asian, you can afford to have a little sun exposure as your melanin will naturally protect you to a certain extent! Obviously if spending all day on the beach is a different matter! How did millions of Asians survive in tropical countries for centuries without sunscreen! During our research we visited remote villages in China & Japan where people don’t use sunscreen,not one case of skin cancer in these villages & as for skin ageing, their skin elasticity & collagen skin tests fared better than their city counterparts who wore sunscreen even during winter( an obsession for paler skin tone)! If you are a pale Caucasian then Michelle s video is absolutely right, sun exposure will age you quicker & higher potential for skin cancer!
I would love a video on indie skin care brands and if we can trust their SPF claims in their sun screens. How do companies test their products to determine their SPF levels? Thanks so much!!
Have you discussed nano zinc before? One of my favorite American sunscreens uses it but I'm wondering if it truly protects me since it leaves virtually zero white cast on my dark skin. I'm happy I found your channel btw!
I love love love your videos! It's the first time I've seen videos that explain all things sunscreen in such detail. As someone with melasma, you've been so helpful in educating me about the sun and sunscreen. So many of the questions that I've had running around in my head/on lists have been touched upon in such wonderful detail. If you had the time, I would love for you to do one on Hyperpigmentation. Thank you for all your hard work!
Wonderful overview of sunscreen! It certainly can get complicated. I didn’t wear sunscreen for years because I have oily skin and didn’t want to aggravate any acne. But, I have found some wonderful Japanese sunscreens on Amazon that are very light and have SPF 50++++. I wear them every day. Better late than never, eh?
Great video as always! Thanks for all your research, time and effort :) Do you have a list anywhere of high UVA protection sunscreens? Fellow pigmentation sufferer :'(
As long as you buy your spf in the EU, Australia or asia, there will be UVA protection. If you are in the US, look out for the UVA blockers in your ingredients.
I have a bunch of sunscreens in this spreadsheet, but a lot of them are Australian and may not be available in your region - also keep in mind that my skin's needs may not be the same as yours! labmuffin.com/my-sunscreen-mini-review-spreadsheet/
Why is the US sunscreen market so narrow minded and stringent. Like are they being too cautious? l I've been hearing about their sunscreen regulations for years.....
I wonder too... but I guess it's one thing the US lags behind is skincare. Still since sunscreens aren't just cosmetic they are also protection from skin cancer it's really far behind. L'oreal did get Mexoryl SX approved, not sure why they haven't used it more, the only SPF they have is SPF15
Hope you could make a video about the best broad spectrum sunscreens (asian/western) with the best longer wavelength UVA protective ingredients you've mentioned here! :D
I have Discoid Skin Lupus (an autoimmune disorder triggered by UVA) and tend to develop lesions on my ears, eyebrows and hairline. I wear a broad rimmed hat in the car and on cloudy days.
It is extremely agravating that there are products in the US claiming broad spectrum protection when the only filter is octinoxate. For example Lancome Skin Feels Good foundation and L'Oreal Infallible longwear stick foundation. I dont know how they get by with this unless they are not required to prove efficacy because they are categorized as foundations rather than sunscreens. It also seems that companies like Shiseido are calling products with only titanioum diozide broad spectrum. I have read that titanium dioxide filters UVB but only UVA2. Is that correct?
That's the problem with the critical wavelength criteria - you don't need much protection to pass it, especially at low SPFs. You can see the titanium dioxide graph in the video - it gives a teeny tiny bit of UVA1 protection (although for inorganic sunscreens it depends on particle size as well). I wouldn't rely on makeup as sun protection anyway!
@@LabMuffinBeautyScience I wouldnt rely on make up either because no one in their right mind would put on enough foundation toget the specified SPF. If sunscreens have to be tested in the US to clain efficacy at a specific SPF I can only assume that this is not required if the product is not classified as a sunscreen but rather as a CC Cream or tinted moisturizer.
I love your channel, and I regret that I only stumbled upon it AFTER I burned my skin pretty badly haha. I’d really appreciate a video about PIE (post inflammatory e-something) because the aforementioned chemical burn gave me pretty bad PIE. Thank you so much! I love your calm voice & thorough research. ❤️
Thanks I am a sunscreen nerd too. I have had Lupus for 30 years and I have felt like Dracula. So glad "no tan" is now a healthy look. Super UV sensitive even lights at WalMart. Can window tint stop UVA rays? Yes, dependent on black out factor?
Hello! I was wondering if you could make a video about fermented rice water . Apparently is good for face and hair too and I would like to know your opinion. I remember in one of your videos you siad that sometimes the natural sources of vitamins and nutrients are not as effective as chemical ones. And j would like to know your thoughts xx
Thank you for this video! ❤ Can you tell us more about the percentage of zinc oxide? How can they label a 3% and 20% zinc sunscreen both with SPF50 when one does contains so little. I'm confused!
I’m disappointed this question has not been answered. I’ve been wondering the same thing. Dr Dray says it doesn’t matter, but I have a hard time believing that.
I have the same question… I have one sunscreen that has 4% ZO with that is 50 SPF and other that has 9% ZO and way more chemical filters and says its 30 SPF… I don’t understand
Srry for the late answer, but sometimes SPF and sun protection in general, doesn't come just by the ingredient name, zinc oxide can come in many sizes and forms, also, there could be other molecules in your sunscreen that helps to raise that number, there are a lot of factors to take consideration, not just 1 ingredient concentration.
Thanks for this video. You are so knowledgeable. I watch this dermatologist called dr dray and enjoy her info, but she insists that the percentage of zinc or titanium in a mineral sunscreen does not matter (a 2% = a 22% ; I’m like, really?!?!). I find it hard to trust this specific thing she says. You said that the highest the percentage the better, to me this makes much more sense. Could you tell me where you found this information? My current sunscreen (CoTZ untinted for sensitive skin) has 20% zinc oxide only and doesn’t give me a white cast and I’m not white. Thank you very much, Lab Muffin Beauty Science!
I think it’s quite unfair for people to demean Dr Dray “as a dermatologist” compared to Michelle who has a PhD. JFYI, Dr. Suarez, aka Dr Dray, has both MD and PhD so I think she is just as qualified as Michelle, and definitely more than the know-it-all-youtube-skincare-fanatics here. With regards to the percentage of ZnO of a certain sunscreen, (which I’m quite sure is the Purito inorganic sunscreen), tbh I’m quite worried about that point as well, even before watching this video. I do hope that Michelle can tackle this subject in the future. However, in the meantime, I’ll definitely trust a board certified dermatologist, who has a reputation and license at stake, just in case she makes an erroneous statement. I have yet to hear someone medically qualified to contradict her statement regarding the efficacy of a product with regards to the percentage of each ingredient it has. I like them both, tbh. Dr Dray has a special place in my heart because she was the first YT vlogger that really got me hooked in to skincare; she really influences my choices in products (actually both she and Michelle do). Conversely, Michelle’s style, despite very scientific (more so than Dr Dray’s approach I think), is more friendly. She feels like that quirky, yet genius friend that I have whom I can listen to ages because she’s very approachable and everything she says is just very knowledgeable. They just have very different experience, I guess. Dr Dray dealt with patients with different skin conditions, whereas Michelle has experience with working with the more primordial side of skincare, as a Chemist. P.S. if the issue is about Purito’s ZnO percentage, I hope people know that Michelle also reviewed that product in her blog. If she has an issue with it, I know she’s smart enough to mention it, but no, she didn’t say anything negative about it, aside from the white cast issue.
www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/84804/cetaphil-sun-spf-50-kids-lotion-150ml?rcid=1976 The best formulation I have been able to find. I use it for hiking as usually I have no option to hide through the middle of the day (I would never get anywhere on time if I tried).
Have you made a video about protection from LED lights and monitors. I noticed that sunscreen products like supergoop are adding ingredients for protection from our devices.
Thank you, Michelle! I learn so much from you. I absolutely love your videos! Is there a way to check if I have put on a sufficient amount of sunscreen or to check the coverage before reapplying?
Thank you for this video!! Can you do a video on layering sunscreens? Like which ingredients shouldn't go together. I'm currently using two different physical sunscreens because one is hydrating but expensive and another one is decently priced but is quite drying, so I put the hydrating one on first and then when it dries I put on the second one. This way I don't have to use too much of the first one and still have enough to get the stated SPF
I like to have the right information from the source, good u r here I think the universe send you to me To stop bugging her asking for answers for this kind of questions Like the silicon video , thank you it was great
Recommendation for those who prefer mineral, I have had good results with cerave hydrating sunscreen in sheer tint and cotz tinted mineral sunscreen. The cerave goes on greasy, you have to rub it in well to get it even, but when it absorbs after a few minutes it looks well, it has 10% zinc oxide
I’m confused about sunscreen chemical ingredient percentages...? How much tinosorb s or m should we be looking for? So many Asian sunscreens don’t show the percentages LRP ultra light contains corn starch...what is your opinion on this sunscreen? Also I must say, you are a very pretty “nerd”! I really enjoy your straight to the point videos
Great video, thanks! Those graphs are handy - I thought my physical sunscreens would do a better job against UVA, but it looks like they don't measure up to their chemical counterparts! If I layer a chemical sunscreen under a physical one, would that be a good idea, or is more not always more?
Layering different sunscreens is a bit risky since they can destabilise each other - I go into more detail in my video on sunscreen and makeup :) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XULpx1jaREo.html
Michelle, I love your blog and youtube channel ! Could you suggest when someone should start anti-aging treatments like vitamin C serums and retinoids(apart from sunscreen of course)? I have been on accutane for acne and then applying differin for 2-3 years now (Im 25 yrs old). My friends say it's too early but anti aging is all about prevention, right?! What is your opinion?
In your 20s is a perfectly good time. I will mention though that you're already using a retinoid btw because adapalene (brand name Differin) is a vitamin A derivative. You could also always ask your dermatologist though just to make sure. Also, yes prevention is easier than treatment.
La Roche Posay XL Anthelious is the only sunscreen that doesn't irritate my skin. I have Rosacea so my skin is hypersensitive.All other sunscreens made me break out.I also have oily skin. I couldn't pass the summer if it wasn't for La Roche Posay. The only thing I don't like about is it contains fragnence but it is subtiel.
about medial grade skin care... does it have a better and unique delivery system in comparison to over the counter skincare? the info im getting is that most of them have a patent on their formulation and the way the active ingredients are being delivered to ur skin and that they have to prove that they work in order for fda to approve and call it a medical grade. in over the counter skin care they dont have to prove anything meaning they dont have to do crap in order to get on the shelf and that the medical regulations are not allowing over the counter products to penetrate deeper then first layer of skin
I am enjoying your videos so much and follow you on Instagram & Facebook. I look forward to every one. This is a silly question...but, I MUST know what lip color you have on!!!!!
Somehow my blue lizard bottle turns blue when it’s under the front wind shield. This always make me wonder whether my windshield really provide sufficient uv protection.
I’m like the least confrontational vampire and I have a roommate who’s like “rise and shine today is going to be a good day!” and opens the window wide and let the sunshine in and internally I’m like “Nooooooo!!!!”. I harbour a lot of hate for him for ruining my anti-aging journey
Great video! Which sunscreen are you currently using? I live in Australia too and currently struggling to find a good one! I am trying to avoid ones containing oxybenzone, as I've read in papers it has a few side effects.
I have a bunch of sunscreens in this spreadsheet, mostly Australian, but of course what works for me might not work for you: labmuffin.com/my-sunscreen-mini-review-spreadsheet/ In terms of side effects, sunscreens don't have many unless you're allergic to a specific filter. The hormonal effects are pretty insignificant according to the current evidence :)
So La Roche Posay ultra light anthelious xl spf 50 isn't a good sunscreen? Which sunscreens are the good ones? Can you do video about sunglasses how to find a good ones?
Hi! You are the best youtuber ever! I have two questions I would be grateful if you answer me. If we use an anti pollution serum (like Niod's survival 0 or Emulsion Hydratante Jour & Nuit Anti-Pollution 24h) before our sunscreen, the film of our sunscreen is compromised and its effectiveness too, since it contains some silicones that remain on the skin? And the last question is do you think this sunscreen (Simply Zinc Ultra Sun Whip SPF 50) is a good one? Do you think the coating is stable?
Tshirt jaune Shouldn’t your sunscreen be fine as long as you let your serum dry before you put the sunscreen on?? I mean, a lot of us put makeup, maybe even primer, on top of our sunscreen, so I would think that would have more of an effect than the products underneath....
Thank you! I talk about layering products with sunscreen here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XULpx1jaREo.html Unfortunately it's impossible to predict if sunscreens are good from the ingredients - for a stable coating, you can look for water resistance regulation.
@@Poemi10304 Hi! Thanks for your answer. When I put my makeup I'm always scared that my sunscreen's film is compromised. But you are right I think the products underneath have less impact. I asked myself this question because these serums form an anti-pollution shield that stays on the skin, I wondered if the film of sunscreen would not have any problem to be formed in a homogeneous way (Sorry for my english)
Any Oz peeps looking for a body sunscreen. I've been enjoying Cetaphil's Sun Kids Liposomal Lotion SPF50+. It has Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150, Octinoxate and both Tinosorb S & M. I also like the pump and the other skincare in it (panthenol, glycerin, aloe vera and vitamin E)
Yeah, me too. I described it as a body sunscreen because I I've found that a lot of the kids ones (cancer council, sunsense) are too shiny on the face.
Can you pls 🙏explain what damage there is from wearing sunscreen that can out-weight the pros of wearing sunscreen at UV 3 and lower? Is it the harm from sunscreen components or something else like not enough UVB exposure?
Could you layer chemical and physics sunscreens? Or would that cause them to be less effective? Like I’ve always been a zinc oxide girl. And I use a zinc oxide sunscreen and tinted sunscreen. But I want to try the Shiseido Anessa Aqua Boost Mild so I could use the new filters that are great for UVA like Tinosorb S. But I don’t want to not use my zinc oxide at the same time. So is it okay to layer then. Like apply the chemical sunscreen wait an hour or so and apply the zinc oxide?!
Michelle, can you talk about probiotic skincare and whether it can be combined with other things like Vitamin C. I haven't been able to find anything saying whether it's ok to mix those two... Thank you!
Would layering a sunscreen with a lower zinc oxide percentage give you more UVA protection? Or is it just smarter to use a sunscreen that already has a higher percentage?
Hi Michelle...as far as I have been able to research it appears some Bioderma and La Roche-Posay have the highest PPD I can see documented. Would you agree ? Or are there other brands...very frustrating the PPD isn't on all sunscreen labels! Thank you
That's why I use all year round La Roche Posay anthelios fluid with an UVA-PF of 46 for a daily basis and P20 Riemann which has an UVA-PF of 56 during stronger exposures (summer time/ beach etc.) Its infuriating not to know the UVA-PF, SPF isn't enough information. I use Shiseido sun stick for reapplication during the day and I hope it has a high UVA-PF (more than 30) but the brand doesn't communicate the ppd...
Hi Michelle. Just want to ask as I work in Cardiac Cath Labs and we primarily use Ionizing radiation in every procedure. Does this type of radiation cause premature skin aging as well? If yes, does applying sunscreen help to mitigate ionizing radiation? Thanks in advance and your videos are very educational.
Thans for the video. I do have a question that I could not answer until now: as I have read of the total amount of UV rays reaching the earth, 95% is UVA and 5% UVB & this "composition" remains constant during the day and year. But does the total amount of UV rays change during the day and year? And if yes, how much? Because if it does, then the absolute amount of UVA (although it remains 95%) would also vary.
2:00 The ozone hole does not extend to Australia. This is a common myth. There are two main reasons why Australia has more intense UV than comparable latitudes in the northern hemisphere. (1) The air is cleaner in Australia, letting in more UV. (2) The perihelion (the moment the Earth is closest to the sun) is in January and coincides with the Australian summer.
It would be interesting to know how does the "Broad-spectrum" standard correlates with the PA system Like, would UVA protection of 1/3 of spf50 already be better than a PA+? 🤔
Everything I watch about sunscreens only mentions Europe, Australia, and US. What about Canada (and New Zealand)? It sounds like Canada must fall under the US-type sunscreens, because I've never heard of Tinosorb, but we do have Mexoryl-XL. I've been using Garnier (used to be L'oreal) Ombrelle face sunscreen for years - it's 60 SPF (which I think they're not allowed to claim in Europe anymore) and includes Octocrylene 10%, titanium dioxide 4.15%, avobenzone 3.5%, Mexoryl XL 3%, and Mexoryl SX 3%. Seems to work well, though it does leave a slight white cast which would probably be worse on someone who doesn't have Fitzpatrick Type I skin. It's also probably better for dry skin types - I like it specifically because it's the only thing that stops my skin from feeling constantly dry and tight (probably because of the titanium).
I have been combing thru sunscreen content from so many people to find just that answer... and no one seems to give me enough information to suffice. I found 1 dr dray video that does touch on it- but she just vaguely says “no it doesn’t matter” but offers that formulations are what matter anyways so percentage shouldn’t trouble us... but I feel it can’t be that simple
