夏季烈日炎炎，日光中的紫外線(ultraviolet)會對皮膚造成嚴重傷害，而防曬產品又頻頻被曝含有害成分。防曬用品應該怎樣選？本文為您的夏日防曬計劃支招。

　　As summer approaches we all enjoy outdoor activities. But withsunlight becoming more intense we should protect our skin fromharmful direct exposure to the sun。

　　隨著夏日的到來，我們都喜歡進行一些戶外運動。但因為日照愈加強烈，我們應避免將自己的皮膚直接暴露在太陽下。

　　Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause damage such as prematureaging (wrinkles and age spots)， skin cancer, damage to the eyes andeven blindness。

　　紫外線(簡稱UV)輻射會導致皮膚過早衰老(產生皺紋和老年斑)、皮膚癌、還可能會傷害眼睛甚至導致失明。

　　Sunscreen, in the form of lotion, spray or cream, provides achemical barrier which reflects or absorbs UV radiation。

　　防曬乳液、防曬噴霧或防曬霜等防曬產品都能通過反射或吸收紫外線，為皮膚提供化學防護。

　　However, there are reports that sunscreen contains toxic orcancer-causing chemicals. In China, some products have been foundto contain heavy metal elements such as lead, arsenic and mercury.Medical experts warn that they can damage the kidneys。

　　然而，有報道稱防曬護膚品中含有致癌或有毒的化學成分。在中國，一些產品被查出含有鉛、砷、汞等重金屬。醫學專家提醒這些重金屬會對腎臟造成傷害。

　　In May, CNN reported that, according to the EnvironmentalWorking Group, 75 percent of 800 sunscreens tested in the UScontained potentially harmful ingredients. Only one-fourth of themwere effective at protecting our skin without any toxicity。

　　本月，美國有線電視新聞網CNN報道稱，在由美國環保機構“環境工作小組”發布的一項報告中，美國國內800種送檢的防曬產品中，有75%含有潛在危害成分。僅有1/4的產品既不含任何毒素，又能有效保護皮膚。

　　For instance, 56 percent of the products contained oxybenzone,which serves to absorb UV. But studies show that oxybenzone can beabsorbed through the skin, and it is believed to be linked tohormone disruption, cell damage and may lead to skin cancer。

　　例如，56%的產品含有能夠吸收紫外線的氧苯酮。但研究表明，氧苯酮可被皮膚吸收，人們認為該物質會導致內分泌紊亂，細胞損傷，甚至可能誘發皮膚癌。

　　The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) says the ingredientis safe. Besides, a type of Vitamin A is also considered to berisky, but there is no conclusive evidence yet。

　　美國食品藥物管理局則表示這一成分安全無害。此外，一種維生素A也被認為存在安全風險，但目前尚無確切證據。

　　So, how do you choose the best sunscreen? Apart from pickingup those with no toxic chemicals, it’s wise to apply awater-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen, with a sun protectionfactor (SPF) of at least 15 or 30.

　　那么該如何選擇最佳防曬霜呢？除了要選用那些不含有毒化學成分的產品之外，明智之舉是使用防曬系數(SPF)達到15或30以上的防水廣譜防曬霜。

　　This will protect you against both types of ultravioletradiation (UVA and UVB)， says the Environmental WorkingGroup。

　　美國環境工作小組稱，這種防曬霜可以抵御兩種紫外線輻射：UVA和UVB。

　　UV radiation has two primary types of rays: UVA that hasrelative long wavelengths can deeply penetrate the skin and causecell damage, and UVB are shorter-wavelength rays that affects theout layer of skin and chiefly cause reddening and sunburn。

　　紫外線輻射中主要包含兩種射線：波長較長的UVA可以穿透皮膚導致細胞損傷，而波長較短的UVB則影響皮膚表層，主要會導致皮膚發紅和曬傷。

　　Sunscreens are made in a wide range of sun protection factors.The higher the SPF indicates better protection againstsunburn-causing rays. For extended higher exposure, you may want aminimum of SPF of 30 to 50.

　　防曬產品的防曬系數范圍很廣。防曬系數SPF值越高，抵御導致曬傷的紫外線的效果越好。如果長時間暴露在日光下，你用的防曬品SPF值至少要在30-50之間。

　　Sunscreen with SPF 15 can block about 93 percent of all UVBrays, while SPF 30 blocks 97 percent and SPF 50 blocks 98percent。

　　SPF 15的防曬霜可以抵御93%的UVB射線，而SPF 30的則可抵御97%，SPF50的能達到98%。

　　“Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen in conjunction withother sun-safe practices,” wrote Daniel. M. Siegel, president ofAmerican Academy of Dermatology on its official website。

　　美國皮膚病學會會長丹尼爾•M•西格爾在該學會官方網站寫道：“皮膚科醫生建議在使用防曬產品的同時，也要結合采取其他的防曬手段。”