Sunscreen 101 — UVA and UVB Rays

The sun is important to all living things, but as we've come to learn over the years, it is also a danger to our skin. Ultraviolet radiation, known as UVA and UVB rays, penetrate the atmosphere and are responsible for premature skin aging, eye damage, and skin cancers. To understand how to better protect yourself, it's important to learn more about the dangers of both types of ultraviolet radiation.

Most people are exposed to large amounts of UVA rays of the course of their lives. These rays account for about 95% of the UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. UVA rays are less intense than UVB rays; however, they are more prevalent. UVA rays can penetrate clouds and glass and are present with relatively equal intensity during daylight hours throughout the year. Since UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays, they play a major part in skin aging, wrinkling, and skin cancers.

The intensity of UVB rays varies by season, location, and time of day. In the U.S., between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from April to October, UVB rays are the most powerful. These rays tend to damage the skin's more superficial epidermal layers and are the chief cause of skin reddening and sunburn. In high altitudes and on reflective surfaces like snow and ice, UVB rays can burn and damage your skin year-round.

To protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays, it's important to wear sunscreen every day. BRUSH ON BLOCK®  is a broad-spectrum SPF 30 natural mineral powder sunscreen that offers full protection from UVA and UVB rays. Brush on Block is made with titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, botanicals, and antioxidants to keep your skin nourished and protected. Keep it in your pocket or throw it in your bag for easy, on-the-go applications throughout the day. You'll never be unprepared with Brush On Block!