Okay, So What Are UVB and UVA?
Put on your high school physics hat for a second. When it comes to sunscreens, it’s all about the ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun. Ultraviolet B (UVB) is shorter wavelength UV while Ultraviolet A (UVA) is longer wavelength. Think of it as the difference between the quick, disorganized energy of a windswell (UVB) and the long, deep lines of a groundswell (UVA). Both are bad for you. UVB is associated with sunburns while UVA is linked to “photo-aging” (think of the crusty old local at your spot whose skin looks like a cowboy boot). Both are linked to skin cancer, so your sunscreen should filter both. While there is a laundry list of FDA-approved UVB filters, there are only five FDA-approved UVA filters at this time: Titanium dioxide (also an approved UVB filter), zinc oxide (also an approved UVB filter), avobenzone (aka Parasol 1789), oxybenzone, and Mexoryl (ecamsule). Make sure that whichever sunscreen you use contains at least one of these FDA-approved UVA filters (most sunscreens
