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When it comes to protecting your skin from the sun, wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen is one of the best moves you can make. However, if you’ve been hearing about infrared rays and the role they can play in photoaging, you might be wondering if there’s anything else you can do. One of the next-level advancements in skin care is infrared sunscreens, which give you the broad-spectrum UV protection you need and also go the extra mile to help provide some defense against infrared rays, another little-known threat from the sun. Follow along as we dive into questions such as:
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause real damage to your skin, and there are two types: UVA and UVB. UVA rays are a main cause of dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity and other signs of photoaging, while UVB rays are what cause painful sunburns, not to mention skin cancers such as melanoma.
UV light is only one part of what reaches us from the sun. Another portion is made up of infrared rays, which make up about 40% to 54% of the light that hits your skin on a daily basis “When infrared radiation penetrates your skin, your body converts it to heat,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “This is why your skin feels warm under the sun.”
IRA rays penetrate skin more deeply than either UVA or UVB rays, passing through the epidermis and dermis into the subcutaneous layer. These rays are responsible for the warmth you feel on your skin when you’re out in the sun, but they also generate free radicals that cause collagen breakdown and accelerate skin aging.
Broad-spectrum sunscreens help protect your skin from UV damage by blocking UV rays. “Though today’s sunscreens don’t block infrared rays, there are some formulas out there that provide some defense against the potentially damaging effects of IR,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “They do this with the help of antioxidants and other innovative ingredients to help offset the potential damage from free radicals.”
“When it comes to sunscreens, infrared defense isn’t measured or regulated by the FDA, so it’s important to choose reputable brands that are committed to not only clinical research but also high-quality ingredients in their formulas,” Dr. Schlessinger says. Here are a few of our favorite infrared sunscreens to consider adding to your sun care lineup.
This broad-spectrum sunscreen from Obagi contains IR Technology that helps provide infrared defense in three different ways. First, it helps disperse heat at the surface of your skin using thermic micro-shield crystals. Then, it helps buffer your skin from heat-derived oxidation and also helps support your skin’s resiliency against infrared radiation with antioxidant ingredients. It also protects against UVA and UVB rays with a combination of mineral filters (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) as well as chemical blockers (homosalate and octinoxate). This formula also comes in two shades that perfectly blend into warm and cool skin undertones.
This sunscreen has a powerful blend of anti-aging ingredients to protect skin against UV and infrared damage. It’s great for all skin types, including sensitive and post-procedure skin, and it’s water-resistant up to eighty minutes, which makes it ideal for active lifestyles. It relies on zinc oxide, octisalate and octinoxate to provide broad-spectrum UV protection, while SkinMedica’s proprietary SOL-IR Advanced Antioxidant Complex helps make it one of the best infrared sunscreen options out there.
If you’re seeking an all-mineral sunscreen with infrared defense, Colorescience is a specialist in mineral sun care and infrared defense is a key benefit of their formulas. This sheer, easy-to-blend sunscreen contains EnviroScreen Technology that helps protect against UVA and UVB rays and also provide defense against infrared light and blue light. It’s formulated with an innovative non-nano zinc oxide that provides serious sun protection without the telltale white cast.
If organic skin care is your jam, COOLA could be your sun care match made in heaven. This sunscreen formula is made with more than 70% organic ingredients, including organic aloe for hydration. Zinc oxide provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, while proprietary BlueScreen Digital De-Stress technology helps defend your skin from the effects of infrared radiation and blue light. With its lightweight texture and transparent finish, this formula is definitely a winner when it comes to sunscreen that layers well under makeup.
Another all-mineral option, this face sunscreen from EltaMD protects skin from UVA and UVB rays with a blend of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and also contains antioxidants for an added layer of defense against infrared radiation. As an anti-aging boost, it also contains squalane to boost moisture retention and ginger root extract to help target visible signs of photoaging such as dark spots, wrinkles and dull texture. Lastly, you can choose from tinted and untinted formulas to best fit your needs.
Choosing a high-quality sunscreen is the first step in sun safety. Next, you can learn about how long your sunscreen lasts and when you should replace it on the LovelySkin Blog.
Aaron serves as Editor at LovelySkin. Since graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2016 with degrees in Creative Writing and English, he has immersed himself in the beauty industry. When he’s not writing about the latest beauty trends, he spends time cuddling his dogs, scouring antique stores, playing tennis and hiking.
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