Shea Butter | Does it really offer sun protection?
Shea butter has been shown to increase the sun or UV protection offered by products. One study showed that the use of shea butter...
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Erum Ilyas, MD, MBE, FAAD
Board Certified Dermatologist | CEO | Functional Textile Expert | Bioethicist | Educator | Author | Mom
Follow me @drerumilyas
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Nov 6
- 3 min
Nicotinamide | Vitamin B3 & Skin cancer
Nicotinamide is a form of Vitamin B3, also known as niacin or nicotinic acid. Nicotinamide has been shown to play an important role in...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Oct 30
- 3 min
Green Tea in Skincare
Green tea has been a staple of diets in Asian cultures and increasing in popularity in Western countries. The consumption of green tea...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Oct 21
- 3 min
Antioxidants in Photoprotection
In some ways, you can think about safe sun protection similar to sex education. In other words, abstinence or avoiding the sun and photo...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Oct 2
- 4 min
Photocarcinogenesis | Light-induced cancer development
Breaking down this word is “photo” meaning light-induced, “carcino-” meaning cancer, and “genesis” meaning origin or development. ...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Aug 7
- 4 min
Sunscreen use during pregnancy | What you need to know
Guidance for wearing sunscreen to reduce the risk of skin cancer holds true during pregnancy as well, but there are other reasons to keep...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jul 3
- 3 min
Sunscreen That Won't Stain Clothes
Sunscreens can either stain your clothes or leave a residue behind depending on the type chosen. In general, it can be easier to lift a...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jun 14
- 2 min
Best Sunscreen Sprays for 2023
Sunscreen sprays are clearly favored for ease of application. Finding the best one at the store can be like finding a needle in a...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jun 10
- 4 min
Reapplying sunscreen | Why does this matter?
The general rule of thumb when it comes to reapplying sunscreen is to reapply every 2 hours, regardless of the SPF listed on the...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jun 9
- 3 min
Sunburn during pregnancy
A sunburn on your belly while pregnant does not affect the baby directly, but it can indirectly. Excess sun exposure is linked to...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jun 9
- 5 min
How to choose sun protective clothing
The goal of sun-protective clothing is to understand the amount of protection your skin has from UV exposure underneath your clothing. ...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jun 8
- 3 min
Spray Sunscreen | How to choose the right one
Spray sunscreens are popular because of their ease of application. Simply spraying sunscreen on with minimal need to rub it in can...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jun 8
- 3 min
Sunscreens for Your Workout
When planning to be active or workout outdoors, think about the intensity of the UV during the time of day you are out, sweating, and...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jun 8
- 2 min
Waterproof vs Water-Resistant Sunscreen
Water-resistant sunscreens tend to last in the water, remaining effective for 40 to 80 minutes depending on the label designation. ...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jun 8
- 3 min
Best Pregnancy-Safe Sunscreens
Guidance for wearing sunscreen to reduce the risk of skin cancer holds true during pregnancy as well, but there are other reasons to keep...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jun 8
- 6 min
Sunburns vs Sun Poisoning vs Heat Stroke
Excess sun exposure is linked to several health risks. The skin plays a significant role in temperature regulation. When the body...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jun 7
- 8 min
Shopping for Sunscreen | What People With Eczema-Prone Skin Should Remember When Buying SPF
Here is an ironic fact: some chemical sunscreen ingredients are actually common causes of photoallergic contact dermatitis. This means...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jun 7
- 4 min
Hats | Sun protection simplified
To get sun protection from a hat, it has to cover your head and provide shade for the face and scalp. Shading the face alone with a...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jun 7
- 3 min
SPF for Lips
Lip balms tend to use thicker wax-based ingredients intended to protect the thin skin of the lips while also sealing in moisture to add...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
- Jun 6
- 7 min
Mixing Skincare Products | How much to use and how to layer...
The question as to how much product to use and how is probably why we all have a drawer or box of barely used products. No one seems to...
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