New Kid On The (Sun)Block

Posted by Bora, Associate Editor for Beauty, Health & Fitness

My friends and family often refer to me by the endearing moniker “Sunscreen Nazi.” If I can prevent a sunburn in any way -- even by physically slapping sense into a friend who says, “But I look good with some color!” -- I’ve fulfilled my duty. It’s a tough job being a pale nag, but someone’s gotta spread the word that you don’t have to be tan to be beautiful.

My sun-protection arsenal now includes a new weapon, one that I have bathed in from head to toe every day this summer: Vichy’s Capital Soleil 15 with Mexoryl SX, an ingredient that filters out short UVA rays, which cause signs of aging and may contribute to skin cancer. (A quick lesson in UVs: A causes Aging, B causes Burns.) Most sunscreens offer ample protection from UVB and long UVA rays -- using tongue-twisting ingredients like avobenzone, Parsol 1789, or octocrylene -- but don’t have short UVA rays covered. Vichy solved that problem by adding three-percent Mexoryl, which is the highest concentration of the ingredient you can get here in the U.S.

This face-and-body formula absorbs quickly, and it isn’t sticky or greasy. It's also fragrance-free, so it’s suitable for sensitive skin, and for those of us who can’t bear anything mucking up our signature scents. While the packaging says it’s water- and sweat-resistant, I’ve dutifully reapplied when running around outdoors or getting in and out of the surf. So far, it’s prevented any rogue tan lines, and hopefully it will prevent early wrinkles. And, of course, it should benefit my ongoing sunscreen-outreach efforts.

Comments

[robby]

Insensitive to whom? Neo-nazis? I doubt Holocaust survivors would be insulted if someone used the term Nazi as a pejorative term.

[Stephanie]

Just wanted to let everyone know, that there are several products out there with Mexoryl. Including some by Lancome, Roche Posay, and a few others. Make sure to always read the ingredients, and the non-trademarked name for Mexoryl is "Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid"

[villain extraordinaire]

Seems to me she was repeating what others say and not endorsing the term. The "endearing" was meant to signify that the nickname is somewhat unwelcome, as I read it. In this context, it is rather silly to say that a word must never be spoken as if it doesn't exist at all.

[Rebecca]

I think your casual use of 'Nazi' in this entry is insensitive.