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Now that Sun Serum has made the EWG’s top ten recommended list many people ask what the difference is between Sun Serum and Creme de Jour. They also ask how products in the Intensive Therapy line differ from products in the Therapy line. Here’s how I look at it.
The difference between the Therapy Line and the Intensive Therapy Line.
The main difference lies in the formulation’s purpose. If you have normal skin and you want to maintain its health and integrity with excellent moisturizing and protection then the Therapy line is perfect for you. If, on the other hand, you have a specific condition or mature skin then you might find products in the Intensive Therapy line more suited to your needs. While we spare no expense in providing the best ingredients for both lines, the Intensive line is notable for its wealth of organic and exotic ingredients and its higher concentrations of effective cosmeceuticals.
The difference between the Sun Serum Duet and the Crème de Jour, regular or tinted, is a case in point. While both contain high levels of anti-oxidants and zinc oxide at a 20% concentration, and are free of chemical sunscreens, parabens or fillers which have a deleterious effect on humans and coral reefs alike, there are significant differences.
The Sun Serum duet is the shining star in our rostrum of protective products. Its dual purpose is to protect from UVB (burning) rays, and UVA (aging) rays and provide superior anti-aging properties. It offers protection at the three crucial levels: epidermal (top layer of skin), dermal (deeper layers of skin) and cellular (where everything begins!). Here’s how:
1) Epidermal: Its 20% zinc oxide content blocks the longest wavelengths of UVA rays up to 400 nm. UVA rays penetrate to the dermis rather than the epidermis where they may do longer-lasting damage. They are present from sun-up to sundown, penetrate clouds and glass and are responsible for hyperpigmentation, age spots and wrinkles and may also exacerbate problems with rosacea. One doesn’t burn, one ages from UVA rays.
2) Epidermal: Our zinc oxide is non-micronized. One of the POSSIBLE effects of nanopartcles of zinc oxide is that they may be photo-active, reacting with light to produce free radicals.
3) Epidermal: Other ingredients, Pearl powder, Calaguala fern extract, green tea protect at the surface, while emu, yangu and red raspberry oils increase natural barrier protection.
4) Epidermal and Dermal: Astaxanthin provides internal sun protection and Krill oil has potent anti-aging properties. Cherry kernel, Pomegranate seed and Broccoli seed oils provide additional barrier replenishment and sun protection.
5) Dermal and cellular: The Anti-oxidant supplement provides anti-oxidants in their active form that actually work to minimize free radical damage from UV exposure. The SuppleMent contains high doses of Vitamin C in a powdered form to keep the ingredient stable and effective until it’s ready to use.
6) The EWG rating is 1, and it is number five in their list of top 10 recommended sunscreens.
Crème de Jour is a moisturizing day cream that also provides UVA/UVB protection. This is all you need during the day for normal skin maintenance.
1) Contains 20% non-micronized zinc oxide to provide full-spectrum protection.
2) Penetrates deeply into the dermis providing intense moisturizing and hydrating with jojoba, emu and red raspberry oils. Also provides further protection against sun damage with organic green tea and phyto-based anti-oxidants.
3) Contains no waxes. It is non-greasy and non-comedogenic.
4) The EWG rating is 2.
