Chain Drug Review, July 8, 2019

54 Chain Drug Review July 8 2019 Personal Care Report SunScreen Taking the confusion out of sun protection choices By Rachel Nazarian NEW YORK One trip to your corner drug store and youll find an overwhelming number of sunscreens on the shelves and every year it seems to grow While its reassuring that the public is now acknowledging the importance of sunscreen and appropriately dedicating yards of shelf space for the cause it can be quite confusing to know which one is the right one for you Currently the Food and Drug Administration is regulating sunscreens to ensure their safety and efficacy but confusion still surrounds many customers when it comes to choosing an appropriate product which is further compounded by their own skin type and other underlying skin concerns Across the board a higher SPF is always a better SPF which is underscored by an FDA proposal to increase the maximum labeling from SPF 50 to SPF 60 or stronger All else being equal there are simple ways to find the right sunscreen based on individual skin type For those with sensitive skin finding a sunscreen that doesnt make them red or itchy or potentially result in flare ups of underlying skin conditions such as rosacea and eczema can be difficult The ideal sunscreen for sensitive skin would have ingredients that are exclusively labeled as physical blockers Sunscreen is divided into two broad categories physical and chemical Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the suns rays and neutralizing them while physical sunscreens protect the skin by deflecting the radiation Generally chemical sunscreens are more irritating for sensitive skin Physical blocker sunscreens can be identified by their ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide Additionally those with sensitive skin should avoid sunscreens that contain parabens which can also trigger a reaction with sensitive skin allergies My personal favorite product in this category is Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen For those who are acne prone and thats not just teenagers as many adults especially women are still plagued by acne its smart to consider comedogenicity which refers to ingredients that cause acne when choosing a sunscreen There are an array of products that prevent acne while effectively avoiding damaging ultraviolet rays For acne sufferers the most important thing is to identify a sunscreen that is noncomedogenic which indicates a lower likelihood of pore clogging and acne inducing ingredients Remember to choose a lotion versus a heavier cream product to allow your skin and pores to breathe Occlusive ingredients those that increase moisture levels in skin by providing a physical barrier to epidermal water loss can indirectly trigger acne like lesions My top recommendation for acne sufferers is Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen When it comes to oily skin sunscreen considerations are actually quite similar to those with acne prone skin For oily skin types the emphasis should be placed on finding sunscreen that is lightweight and oil free These sunscreens will absorb quickly without leaving a shiny film Primers which are classically used under makeup can be found with adequate SPF and are ideal for people with oily skin The result is a matte finish incredibly lightweight and no greasy shine following application My top picks for oily skin include La Roche Posay Anthelios Anti Aging Primer and Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer Conversely people with dry skin should choose a product with a cream base Lotions serums Rachel Nazarian Schweiger Dermatology Group and gels are lighter and less moisturizing Sprays may even contain alcohols which are particularly drying for skin and safety and efficacy are not as well defined as the classic creams A heavier day cream with a high SPF will protect your skin while continuing to keep it hydrated Neocutis Journee Bio restorative Day Cream SPF 30 is my personal choice for dry skin Of all the various skin types those with combination skin are the trickiest to manage when it comes to sun care Ultimately its more challenging to find a product that works concurrently with varying conditions of facial skin To keep all areas happy those with combination skin need to find a sunscreen that is moisturizing and oil free Some sunscreens have fast absorption technology to keep your oily areas matte while hydrating drier spots For combination skin my favorite is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen Above all the goal is to protect your skin whatever its type minimize exposure to radiation and lower your risk of skin cancer including melanoma squamous cell and basal cell Dermatologists are trained to help navigate the often confusing industry of sunscreen and skin care They have knowledge of and access to scores of safe and effective sunscreen options Consider them your partner in achieving your skin protection goals and initiate discussion to address any questions or concerns you may have Dr Rachel Nazarian is a practicing dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York a faculty member at Mount Sinai Medical Centers Department of Dermatology and the spokesperson for Destination Healthy Skin Program a nationwide campaign between Walgreens and the Skin Cancer Foundation to raise awareness about skin cancer prevention Sun care grows at an unprecedented rate It is the No 1 Sunscreen Insect repellent in the market place Van Houten adds that more and more consumers are asking for products that are reef friendly They want sunscreen products that do not contain ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate which are chemical ingredients that are known to be harmful to coral reefs He notes that Solskyn strives to take a proactive approach in formulating a wide variety of sunscreens that are relevant to the market Each of our brands Ocean Potion NO AD and BullFrog offer products that are effective at helping to prevent sunburn decrease the risk of skin cancer and reduce early skin aging We are steadily working on increasing the number of products that are oxybenzone and octinoxate free across all of our brand portfolios At the end of day it is about continuing to innovate and develop new products that meet consumers evolving sun care needs Aliya Ali brand manager at Neutrogena Suncare says consumers are seeking sunscreens that provide the best protection from UV rays Esthetically pleasing formulations that are easy to wear are also in high demand As a result Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 100 is very popular its the best selling lotion in the sunscreen category It features Dry Touch Technology which instantly absorbs excess oils and feels light and clean on the skin making it easy to wear daily even under makeup And the SPF 100 offers best protection in the frequent case of under application The Ultra Sheer collection is also the most awarded sunscreen collection ever Ali notes that consumers are also seeking sunscreens that deliver skin care benefits beyond UV protection The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen line is a consumer favorite the two SKUs SPF 30 and SPF 50 are extensions of the brands popular Hydro Boost platform They do more than protect against UVA and UVB rays She adds that they are sunscreen lotions with hyaluronic acid that help keep skin moisturized for hours Hydro Boost Sunscreen doesnt feel like a traditional sunscreen it is lightweight can act as a makeup primer and is fast absorbing and non greasy Its also great for all skin tones as it doesnt leave any kind of white cast on the skin when applied She adds that most importantly consumers want options when theyre choosing sunscreens There is no one size fits all when it comes to sunscreens every consumer should find a sunscreen that suits their unique lifestyles aesthetic preferences level of activity and UV exposure Neutrogenas sunscreen portfolio features a very diverse range of chemical and mineral options with varying SPF levels and formats such as lotions sprays sticks liquids and water gels to meet the needs of consumers everywhere Ali points out that consumers are finally being more careful with exposure to the sun with skin cancer on the rise The skin cancer epidemic in this country is a real problem Leading dermatologists everywhere recommend sunscreen as a vital tool in the fight against skin cancer but despite decades of education about the importance of UV protection sunscreen usage rates are flat According to a recent Harris Omnibus survey only 19 of Americans say they wear sunscreen daily As the leader in sun science Neutrogena is committed to helping Americans stay sun safe by providing skin health education to everyone and working with partner organizations to support their work in preventing skin cancer She says that the drug channel is focusing on skin health wellness and providing consumers with a variety of sunscreen options from mineral formulas to high SPFs so that every consumer can find a product suited for their skin needs She adds that some top drug retailers have also moved away from carrying lower SPFs as a way to promote sun safe behaviors Ali says the brand recently launched two new ultra high protection SPF 100 sunscreens answering consumer demand for formulas that deliver best protection from UV rays Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray SPF 100 is ideal for protecting against both sun and water damage during long days outdoors with a fragrance consumers love Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport Sunscreen Spray SPF 100 stays on through sweat and features our patented FullReach design that allows easy application even for hard to reach spots Both feature patented Helioplex Technology for superior broad spectrum photostable protection that consumers can trust As part of Neutrogenas commitment to helping Americans stay sun safe Ali adds that the company utilizes social media as a platform to provide science and skin health education via easily digestible accessible content We also use social media to update consumers on the science behind our work with health care professionals and advocacy groups as we all strive toward solutions for better skin health Elsewhere SC Johnson announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Sun Bum a fast growing brand that makes quality personal care products including sun protection hair care and lip care products The acquisition includes the Baby Bum brand of sun protection and baby care products The Sun Bum brand is a welcome addition to our portfolio of trusted products said Fisk Johnson chairman and chief executive officer of SC Johnson It also expands our robust selection of fast growing on trend products like Babyganics Method Mrs Meyers Clean Day and Caldrea that appeal to consumers and their families Continued from page 52 Sunscreen is divided into two broad categories