A sunscreen functions by two mechanisms:
absorption or reflection. Absorbers hold the Ultra Violet (UV) rays by causing a chemical reaction and reflectors block them by forming a physical barrier on our skin. Its effectiveness is measured in Sun Protection Factor (SPF) value. SPF measures the time it would take an individual to burn in the sun if he or she is not wearing sunscreen vs the time it would take with unscreen on.

     REFLECTING F A C T S
             0f  SUNSCREENS

  What do they contain?  

Sunscreens contain nearly 17 types of chemicals. The basic ones are: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and avobenzone, which are non-toxic minerals.

  How is it made?  

Formulating the lotion: Water purified through reverse osmosis and ingredients mixed with water

• Making the containers: manufacturing bottles using plastic moulds
• Filling the containers
• Capping the containers: either manually or automatically

  Facts  

• Melanin, the natural sunscreen produced in our body, is far superior than any of the artificially manufactured varieties. In fact, lotions penetrate deep into the skin causing cell damages.
• Some sunscreen chemicals are unhealthy or produce harmful substances once they enter our body. For example, mothers with high levels of oxybenzone present in their bodies through sunscreens, are more likely to give birth to underweight babies.
• It also interferes with Vitamin D production, leading to its deficiency, which is otherwise produced naturally.
• The first effective sunscreen may have been developed by the chemist Will Baltzer in 1938 after he got a sunburn. It was made full use of by the US army soldiers serving World War II.
• An algae called Dunaliella Bardawil that thrives in the Dead Sea and the Sinai desert makes its own sunscreen, which might be developed as a source of future natural sunscreens.
• Sunscreen application by swimmers spreads infection which causes corals to bleach . It has been banned in several ecoparks and Mexican beaches.

  False claim  

Many product companies use SPF alone to market the creams and make false claims:

• SPF measures only UVB. Thus many products claiming to offer "broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection" actually do not deliver.
• Further, higher the SPF, higher is the protection a sunscreen offers. Several creams claim around 50 -100 SPF, but an SPF 15 cream is as good as SPF 100. To prevent such unrealistic claims offering "all day protection" many countries have restricted the SPF levels of products.

Anubhuti Sharma