“When Agricultural Research Service (ARS) chemists Joe Laszlo and Dave Compton originally developed SoyScreen, they envisioned outdoor enthusiasts and other consumers using their invention as an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based sunscreens.

Instead, SoyScreen—and the patented ARS method of producing it—became the technological platform from which iSoy Technologies Corporation of Cary, Ill., began launching a novel class of cosmetic ingredients called “skincare bio-lipid actives.”

In February 2007, a variation of SoyScreen formulated by iSoy—ferulic soy glycerides (FSG33)—made its commercial debut as a key active ingredient in a wrinkle-prevention skincare product marketed by a major cosmetics company in New York City.

FSG33′s burgeoning commercial roots began with bio-lipid reaction experiments that Laszlo and Compton conducted in 1998 at ARS’ National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Ill.  There, they devised an enzyme-based method to make an all-natural sunscreen from soy oil and ferulic acid, a natural antioxidant that filters out UVA and UVB sunlight.”  Read More

July 30, 2007 — A cup of coffee after your morning jog may help your skin fight the damaging effects of the sun and prevent skin cancer.  A new study with mice shows the combination of caffeine and regular exercise appears to help kill some of the precancerous cells damaged by the sun’s ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation.  The sun-protective effect of this caffeine-exercise combination is still no excuse to skimp on the sunscreen. But researchers say the two may work together to prevent skin cancer better than either element alone.

"We need to dig deeper into how the combination of caffeine and exercise is exerting its influence at the cellular and molecular levels, identifying the underlying mechanisms," says researcher Allan Conney, director of Rutgers University’s Cullman Laboratory, in a news release. "With an understanding of these mechanisms we can then take this to the next level, going beyond mice in the lab to human trials.  Read More

Sephora has launched an exciting summer sun-safety campaign.  With hopes to educate customers about the importance of sun protection and provide skin cancer awareness, they have designed a customized Sun Safety Kit which includes a wide range of travel size sun protection products.  The kit also provides safe sun tips right on the package.  Also, 100% of the net profits will benefit the Skin Cancer Foundation, Sephora will donate a total of up to $182,000.00 before 12/31/2007.

What it is:  (From Sephora.com )
Eight travel-ready sun protection products from your favorite skincare brands in a summer-friendly, yellow mesh travel bag.

What else you need to know:
Sun is the #1 cause of wrinkles!  Did you know that 90 percent of all premature aging and skin cancers are caused by sun exposure?  Practice safe sun with Sephora’s Sun Safety Kit, packed with travel-size sun protection for the face and body.

Set includes:
1 oz Murad Waterproof Sunblock SPF 30, .17 oz Bliss Sunban Face SPF 30+, .10 oz Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care SPF 30, .15 oz Juice Beauty SPF 15 Tinted Lip Moisturizer in Playful, .25 oz Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Moisture Lotion SPF 30, .5 oz Korres Natural Products Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 30, .5 oz Cosmedicine Global Health Face SPF 30, and a .09 oz DDF Glossy Lip Therapy SPF 15.

What Is My Skin Type?

Your skin type, which depends on the amount of natural protection your skin provides you, is a key factor when determining your risk of developing skin cancer.  If you don’t know your own skin type, check out [the] skin type guide.

What Is My Risk for Skin Cancer?

Family history, childhood sun exposure, personal skin cancer history and other factors all play a part in determining your overall risk.  If you’re not familiar with your family’s medical history, consider contacting family members to find out if there is a history of melanoma in your family tree.

Do I Need to Examine My Own Skin?

A monthly skin check is a crucial part of skin cancer early detection, although it should not replace a yearly professional skin exam. You want to be as thorough as possible, so follow [this] step-by-step guide.

What Should I Look For?

There are three major types of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. Each has different symptoms, and pose different risks. Recognize warning signs of BCC, SCC and melanoma.

[ Via SkinCancerFoundation.com ] 

Aside from a healthy snack, grape seed has been used as an anti-aging ingredient [against free radicals] in many beauty products, but a recent study has shown chemicals found in grape seeds may also help prevent skin cancer.  Researchers at the University of Alabama exposed hairless mice to ultraviolet rays in order to determine whether the presence of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) in the diet affects the skin’s reaction to sunlight.

As it turns out, yes!  The mice whose diets had been supplemented with the GSP had 65% fewer tumors and the tumors that were present turned out 78% smaller than in mice that were fed a standard diet (no GSP).  The study shows, GSP has antioxidant properties and appear to limit the effect UV light has on the immune system, which means a diet rich with grapes (not seedless) may be beneficial for your aging skin and to the prevention of skin cancers.

[ Via DailyBeauty.com ]

Dr. Robin Hornung [Division of Dermatology at the University of Washington] studied 385 male and female students to determine if a substance-related disorder (SRD) was the reason some students are “hooked” on tanning.  “Previous experiments [show] that UV light causes [an] endorphin release similar to the euphoric sensation associated with the  intense exercise commonly known as ‘runners high’ or other pleasure seeking behavior,”  Dr. Hornung explains.  Students who tan regularly may experience this high and become addicted to the act of tanning.  Like other addictive practices, such as drinking or smoking, 41% [of the students] say relaxation is a motivating factor in their tanning habits.  Unfortunately, studies have shown that with an increased knowledge of the dangers involved in overexposure to UV, unhealthy habits and attitudes among “high risk” age groups (adolescents and young adults) remain unchanged.

The Study
All students were given a questionnaire specific to their tanning habits as well as those of their family and friends.  The questionnaires included the four CAGE  (cut down, annoyed, guilty, eye-opener) questions a tool most often used to identify SRD’s with regard to alcohol use.  Out  of all students who purposely tanned their skin (76% women / 59% men) 12% had positive CAGE results (answered yes to more than one), 18% of whom are outdoor tanners and 28% indoor tanners.  Students using indoor methods of tanning are more likely to be identified as potentially having a UV disorder verses the 18% of outdoor tanners.

If you are addicted to tanning you should seriously consider cutting down on your amount of sun exposure.  There are quite a few self-tanners available now, and while they have had a reputation for leaving you streaky; there have been some remarkable improvements over the last decade (not as messy, stinky, or streaky).  I know that you love that high, but if it’s about bronzed skin there are healthier alternatives to ultraviolet.  iVillage has a great top ten list for self tannners, this list includes:

BeneFit Aruba in a Tuba
Neutrogena Sunless Tanning Spray
Coppertone Endless Summer Sunless Tanning Lotion
Lancôme Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Body Spray
Bain de Soleil Streakguarde Self Tanning Creme

[ Top tanners Via iVillage.com ]

For information on skin cancer or to find a skin cancer screening near you visit: American Academy of Dermatology

[ Via MedicalNewsToday.com ]