Choosing The Right Sunscreen: Summer is just around the corner, promising sun, barbecues, and time spent outdoors with friends and family. But with the extra sunshine comes the risk of sunburn, something everyone needs to avoid. We all know the best way to avoid getting sunburnt is to wear sunscreen, which is why it’s important to make sure you’re getting the right protection from the sunscreen you’re using.
Dr. Zainab Laftah, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, explains how to pick the right sunscreen to best protect you from the sun’s harsh rays.
Sunscreen should always be a core member of your skincare routine — it’s not debatable.
There is a difference between graceful aging and the kind of age that comes with over-exposure to a sun armed with rays that are, quite frankly, out to get back at us.
It is common knowledge that your skin and the sun are not best friends, in spite of what having a tan or getting your daily dose of vitamin D may suggest. UV rays are a primary accelerator of your skin’s aging process, and sunscreen is your front-of-the-line defense to make sure the UVs don’t get you. (Choosing The Right Sunscreen)
Here’s the kicker: purchasing sunscreen can jumble the mind to no end. Going to a pharmacy or a beauty boutique and confronting row after row of sunscreens screaming out numbers that range from 10 to 50, and the letters “PA” tagged with indecipherable plus symbols.
Then we encounter formats: chemical or physical sunscreens, available in powders, mousses, sprays, lotions, creams. All we want is to lap at the fountain of potentially eternal youth and all we get is confusion.
How does UV exposure impact your skin?
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are a part of sunlight that is an invisible form of radiation. UV rays can penetrate and change the structure of skin cells, as well as lead to cancer-causing mutations in the DNA of these cells. Such changes can cause skin cancer and premature skin aging. (Choosing The Right Sunscreen) Exposure to UV rays from the sun or tanning beds is the most preventable risk factor for melanoma.
How does sunscreen work?
Most sun protection products work by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering the sun’s rays. These products contain chemicals that interact with the skin to protect it from UV rays. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays, the two main components of the sun’s rays. UVA and UVB rays damage the skin in different ways, but both can lead to the development of skin cancer.
Most sunscreens use the SPF rating, which stands for sun protection factor. It is a measure of time that the sunscreen can protect against the sun’s rays. So the higher the SPF, the longer the protection. But a good rule of thumb is to reapply every 2 hours.
Should I wear Sunscreen Every Day?
Yes. UV radiation can damage the skin in the winter, even though the sun is not as strong. The sun’s rays can penetrate clouds, haze, and smoke, so sunscreen should be used even on cloudy days.
Are Sunscreens Safe?
Sunscreens are absolutely safe. The FDA rigorously evaluates all sunscreens before they are brought to market to ensure that they are both safe and effective.
What about the Sunscreen in My Makeup or Moisturizer? Is it enough?
Your moisturizer with SPF is better than nothing, but it isn’t as good as a dedicated sunscreen. A study released in July demonstrated that even though both theoretically offer the same level of protection, in the real world people tend to miss sections of their face when using moisturizer or not use enough product to adequately cover their skin.
I’m going on vacation and don’t want to get a sunburn. Shouldn’t I get a “base tan” to protect my skin?
Many people think that a “base tan” protects their skin from a damaging burn. The truth is that a tan is really a sign of skin damage. Your body’s defensive response to harmful UV rays is to generate the pigment melanin to protect its skin cells. Tanning exposes your skin to a greater amount of UV radiation and increases your risk of developing skin cancer. The best way to protect your skin while out in the sun is to use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and avoid the sun in the middle of the day.
What’s SPF?
SPF is an acronym for sun protection factors. It’s an indication of how well a product will actually protect you from the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
The SPF number tells you the amount of time it takes for the skin to redden upon exposure to the sun with protection as opposed to the amount of time without protection.
If used exactly as directed, a product with SPF 30 will take the sun 30 times longer to burn the skin than skin directly exposed without protection. A product with SPF 50 will take 50 times longer.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a product with SPF 30 allows approximately 3 percent of UVB rays to hit your skin, and a product with SPF 50 allows about 2 percent.
Which is better SPF 30 or 50?
If you spend any time outside, chances are you’ve heard a warning or two about how important it is to wear sunscreen.
While wearing sunscreen is better than not wearing any, if you have a choice, it’s best to choose a sunscreen with broad-spectrum UV protection of at least SPF 30. These recommendations apply to people of all skin tones. Ideally, you should also apply sunscreen to your skin 30 minutes before going out into the sun.
Sunscreen for babies and toddlers
You should avoid using sunscreen on babies under 6 months old. That doesn’t mean they aren’t at risk of damage from the sun. Sunscreen can be potentially harmful in young babies because they may be at greater risk of side effects from the chemicals in sunscreen. It’s best to keep babies under 6 months old in the shade and dress them in protective clothing to prevent sun exposure.
When choosing sunscreen for your baby, choose one of at least SPF 30. Most baby sunscreens are SPF 50. You don’t have to use baby-specific sunscreen, but a lot of baby sunscreens contain special ingredients to help prevent a baby’s delicate skin from breaking out or getting irritated by the sunscreen.
What SPF Level is Best for You?
What’s the difference between SPF 30 and 50? How do you choose between them?
SPF 30 is the most common level for most people and skin types. No sunscreen can block all UV rays, but what we do know is: SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, and SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays. So, the difference between 30 and 50 is about 1 percent. But every bit of extra protection can be beneficial if you are very fair or spending a lot of time in direct sun! And most people apply less than the recommended amount (about one ounce for full body coverage), so the higher the number the better.
What SPF level do you wear?
I personally wear SPF 30 every day, all year, rain or shine — it’s just become a habit! My skin is acne-prone and sensitive to chemical sunscreens so I stick with physical sunscreens only.
Are there any drawbacks to using a higher SPF?
There is often a false sense of security with higher numbers. You think since you’re wearing a higher level, you are invincible to the sun, and that’s just not the case. Most of us also forget that SPF is only at its most active for about two hours, so you need to reapply it often.
I personally wear SPF 30 every day, all year, rain or shine — it’s just become a habit! My skin is acne-prone and sensitive to chemical sunscreens so I stick with physical sunscreens only.
What’s the difference between SPF30+ and SPF50+?
SPF30+ versus SPF50+
The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of a sunscreen is a measure of how well it protects the skin from sunburn. SPF30 sunscreen admits 1/30th of the ambient UV, SPF50 admits 1/50th, and so on. Sunscreens need to be applied liberally to achieve the SPF protection claimed on the label.
We recommend using any sunscreen that is labeled broad-spectrum, water-resistant, and SPF30 or above.
Interestingly, SPF50+ offers only marginally better protection from Ultra Violet (UV) radiation than SPF30+ filtering out 98 percent of UV radiation compared to 96.7 percent blocked by SPF30.
SPF50+ sunscreen still needs to be applied liberally, re-applied every two hours (or after swimming, exercising, and towel drying), and used in combination with other sun protection measures including sun protective hats, protective clothing, sunglasses, and shade.
What is the best sunscreen for black people?
1. Ultra Sheer SPF 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen
A sunscreen made for brown skin by women of color. The formula goes on completely clear and gives the skin a pretty glow. Because it hydrates without being greasy or tacky, it’s an effective base for makeup.
2. No Shade Sunscreen Oil
Hate the feel of traditional sunscreen? Try out an oil instead. Mele’s lightweight SPF 30 formula was created to protect melanin-rich skin and is made sans alcohol, mineral oil, and parabens.
3. Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Sheer Tint
First, on Dr. Henry’s recommendations list, CeraVe’s tinted sunscreen goes onto skin smoothly, while still offering mineral protection from titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
4. Complete Daily Broad Spectrum SPF 30
“For dry skin, I usually recommend using sunscreens that are hydrating. Most facial moisturizers with sunscreen can achieve this,” says Dr. Singh. This oil-and-fragrance-free formula with zinc oxide has over 300 five-star reviews on Walmart.com.
5. 1802 Milk Primer SPF 35 2-in-1 Daily Defense Sunscreen & Makeup Perfecter
Another mineral option that blends in seamlessly with all skin tones, this primer also contains goat milk and probiotics to reinforce the skin’s protective barrier. Layer it on underneath your makeup, or use it as a last skincare step in the morning. Either way, this one’s got you covered.
When Do I Need to Start Wearing Sunscreen?
You need to practice sun protection on babies as soon as they are born. That means keeping infants in the shade and dressing them in sun-protective clothing such as long-sleeves, pants, and hats.
Sunscreen is recommended once babies are 6 months by the American Academy of Dermatology, the Skin Cancer Foundation, the Mayo Clinic. Of course, other sun protection measures should also still be practiced.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends parents look at the active ingredients in sunscreens and opt for: “zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are good choices because these physical filters don’t rely on absorption of chemicals and are less apt to cause a skin reaction.”
Of course, I have to mention that our sunscreens use zinc only Laughing.
At What Age Can I Stop Wearing Sunscreen?
As we age the body loses its ability to repair cell damage from the sun. Our immune system also weakens, making us more vulnerable to skin cancer.
Three reasons to use sun protection
- UV radiation from the sun is the most serious threat to skin cancer.
- Sunburn is damage to skin cells and blood vessels from the sun’s UV radiation. Repeated damage results in weakened skin that easily bruises.
- A 2013 study of Caucasian women concluded that UV exposure may be responsible for 80 percent of visible facial aging signs. Signs of visible aging to your skin may include wrinkles, reduced elasticity, pigmentation, and degradation of texture.
Also read: How To Remove Tan From Face Immediately Home Remedies
Why is it important to reapply sunscreen frequently?
There are four reasons why sunscreens should be reapplied frequently:
- Sunscreens can be physically rubbed off, such as when drying yourself with a towel.
- Sunscreens can be washed off when swimming or with heavy sweating.
- Some of the active ingredients in sunscreens start to break down over time. This breakdown can be accelerated by sun exposure.
- These three factors can prevent sunscreens from providing the level of protection indicated by the SPF value. Generously apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply at least every two hours, or after swimming or sweating heavily.
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