Anthelios SX®- New Option Available for Sunscreen Protection from L'Oreal

L'Oreal has FDA approval to market it's new over the counter sunscreen Anthelios SX®. So what's the big deal? This is the first sunscreen product in America to contain a chemical called ecamsule that has the ability to block both UVA and UVB rays. Most sun-lovers are familiar with the burn of UVB rays, which come from the sun and only penetrate the outer layer of skin. UVA rays are actually more dangerous as they penetrate beyond the skin to damage the skin and underlying connective tissues. These are the rays that can contribute to your increased risk of skin cancers and premature aging. The best sunscreens will contain chemicals to block both of these types of rays.

Ecamsule has been marketed in Europe and Canada as Mexoryl SX® since 1993. It effectively blocks the entire range of UVA light and most of the UVB range. In Anthelios SX® this new drug entity has been combined with avobenzone (also known as Parsol 1789) and octocrylene for complete UVA and UVB coverage. To garner FDA approval the drug was examined in 28 studies in over 2500 patients who overall found the product effective and safe. Some mild side effects were noted including: dermatitis, eczema, redness, itching, and general skin discomfort.

This is an exciting new product, however it is only one small part of staying safe in the sun. When choosing a sunscreen always try to have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15. If you tend to have sunscreen from previous years on hand check the expiration date on the bottle and throw it out if it is too old. If there is no expiration date a general rule of thumb is to replace the bottle after 3 years, however extreme heat can lessen the shelf life of any sunscreen product (so if you keep it in the glove box of your car replace it every year).

Other sun protection tips include wearing long sleeve tightly woven clothing. A typical T-shirt does not provide an SPF of 15 so consider combining it with sunscreen. A hat that completely shades your head and neck can help protect those sensitive skin areas. Choose tightly woven fabrics and use sunscreen where the shade stops. Always wear sunglasses that offer UVA and UVB protection when heading outside- most commercially available sunglasses meet this requirement. If possible avoid direct sun exposure during the hours of 10AM to 4PM in North America, as the sun's rays are strongest at that time.

This exciting new product combined with some common sense can go a long way to making you more comfortable in the dog days of summer.