News
Why Do We Burn More in the Southern Hemisphere?
Sunburn is caused by exposure of UV light. UVB and UVA rays penetrate the skin causing redness, itching and irritation. There are three key factors that cause us Kiwis to burn more than our friends on the other side of the world. The first key factor is the way in which the Earth orbits the Sun. Most people do not know that the Earth orbits the Sun in an ellipse, not a circle. As the Earth orbits the Sun it experiences the closest point of approach in December and January, which is the southern hemisphere of summer. The furthest...
Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen, do you know the difference?
Mineral sunscreens are made up of either one or both active ingredients being either Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide. These active ingredients are considered a "physical blocker" in simple terms they sit "on top" of your skin and create a barrier to reflect away UV rays, they act as a shield for the skin and are not absorbed into the body. Chemical sunscreens penetrate the skin. They work by absorbing UV rays and converting them to a small amount of heat, which the body releases. Some active ingredients in chemical sunscreen have been grave concerns in its ability to...