Sunforgettable^® Total Protection^® Collection

EnviroScreen^® Technology is proprietary to Colorescience^®. EnviroScreen^® Technology uses patented active ingredients, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, that create a barrier preventing free radical formation and oxidative stress. These patented actives are combined with specialty ingredients that, together, work synergistically to protect skin from damage caused by exposure to UVA/UVB rays, pollution, blue light (also known as High Energy Visible, or HEV, light), and infrared radiation.

Colorescience^® follows the FDA guidelines for testing water resistance or adherence to the skin after exposure to water. A panel of 10 people apply the product to their skin prior to being immersed in a whirlpool (of moving or circulating water) for 20-minute cycles. After 20 minutes in the whirlpool, panelists exit the whirlpool before immersing themselves again. For 40 minutes water resistance, panelists are immersed in the water for two 20-minute cycles. For 80 minutes water resistance, this is done a total of 4 times. After all cycles are completed, the SPF that is remaining on the skin is measured. If after 80 minutes in the whirlpool, the SPF remaining is at least 50, the result is an SPF 50 with 80 minutes of water resistance.

We measure our pollution protection by directly measuring free radicals created from UV + pollution events on unprotected skin and skin protected with Sunforgettable^® Total Protection^™ Brush-on Shield SPF 50 and Sunforgettable^® Total Protection^™ Face Shield SPF 50. We use a testing technique called electron spin resonance (ESR) that uses a combination of a magnetic field and electron magnetic waves to directly detect the unpaired electrons of free radicals.

Blue (HEV) light protection is tested by measuring the ability of the formula to block light in the HEV spectrum that would otherwise reach the skin. In practice, this is done by applying the formula to a transparent substrate at the same dose level (2mg/cm2) used in the FDA Monograph SPF test. The substrate is then placed at the entrance of an integrating sphere detector which captures all the light passing through the sample. This configuration is the same as that used in the FDA Monograph Critical Wavelength measurement and mimics the situation of a formula applied to the skin. The percentage of HEV light blocked is calculated by comparing the intensity of the light transmitted through the formula to the incident light at each wavelength throughout the HEV spectrum (400–490 nm).

Infrared, blue (HEV) light, and pollution are all factors that can negatively impact the health of your skin.

Infrared light is invisible, but when the skin is exposed to infrared radiation, it converts it into heat, and intense infrared radiation can affect collagen as well as the skin's elasticity.

Heat can increase the production of melanocyte pigment within the skin, which can worsen melasma and other skin pigmentation concerns. Additionally, without infrared sunscreen protection, intense infrared light can cause your skin’s temperature to rise to more than 104°F, which can trigger inflammation and other damaging skin problems.

Concerns have rapidly increased over the past few years over the negative effects of high-energy visible (HEV) light, known more commonly as blue light. HEV light comes from the sun, as well as electronic devices like smartphones and computers.

Blue (HEV) light can have a variety of direct and indirect effects on your skin. Additionally, longer exposure to blue (HEV) light can contribute to skin barrier damage, cell and tissue death, and photoaging.

The effects of air pollution include common skin issues. Without the use of anti-pollution sunscreen, air pollution and smog particles can infiltrate the skin and trap bacteria within the pores, leading to acne, disruption of the skin's microbiome, skin barrier damage, premature aging, and even skin cancer.

Take steps to protect yourself with the Sunforgettable^® Total Protection^® Collection. With a wide variety of options, Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection sunscreens feature EnviroScreen^® Technology that protects against pollution, blue (HEV) light, and infrared radiation. By wearing and reapplying this mineral infrared sunscreen daily you help shield your skin and minimize early signs of aging.