Sunscreen can't be skip. Always apply 20 minutes before leaving out.

How to Choose the Best Sunscreen, How It Works, and How to Use It One of a skincare routines

most important components is sun protection. Choose best sunscreen can give you benefits, can protect skin from UV damage, reduce early aging, helps minimize dark spots, reduce risk of sunburn, .

choosing the right sunscreen is not like a picking a bottle from shelf , you have to know about how SPF works, how much Broad spectrum SPA need to protect skin from harmful UV rays, and how to use it? Also it's important to know before choosing sunscreen that sunscreen should be choose according to your skin type.

This article explains what science says about protecting skin from SPF, how to use it, how to choose right sunscreen.

What's sunscreen?

Topical products containing ingredients that helps skin to protect from harmful UV rays which can helps skin from early aging, protect skin from cancer, sunburn, sun tan, helps fades dark spots. Sunscreen can be in form of sunblock, sun lotion , sun protected sprays.

Why we use Sunscreen?

Sun has two rays which reflect light from sun to earth. UV (ultraviolet) A and UVB. These rays effect skin in different ways.

UVA: This rays screen deeply into skin and lead to wrinkles and pre aging in skin.
UVB: This ray cannot screen deeply into the skin . This ray damage the outer part of skin and cause sun tan and sun burn. Also, this ray cause mutation in DNA which can lead to cancer.
That's why choosing right sunscreen can help protect from these harmful rays. Because sunscreen works as a protective layer, which can helps protect skin from these rays.

Sunscreen can reflects UV rays and

minimizes skin damage
aides in long term skin
health maintenance

Sunscreens can be categorize into two different main ingredients form

Physical (mineral)

Physical or mineral sunscreen include ingredient Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide.

This mineral based sunscreen act as a barrier on skin and protect skin from UVA, UVB damage. This helps protect skin from sunburn. Mineral based sunscreen is suitable for sensitive skin type.

Chemical

Chemical based sunscreen include Avobenzone, Octinoxate,Homosalate these can block UVA, UVB rays from sun. This sunscreen settle into the skin and absorb UV rays and convert into heat.

Provide broad spectrum protection when combined with other sunscreen agents.

Note that HOMOSALATE boosts the effectiveness of other sunscreen components

What SPF Actually Is?

Sunscreen SPF(sun protection factors) works by how much spf you use it. It works when you wear sunscreen rightly.

Example:

Spf 30 protected skin from sunburn about 30 minutes longer than usual, if you wear no sunscreen. It protect skin about 97% of sun rays .

SPF 50 protected skin slightly greater than Spf 30 , not double but slightly greater level.

The evidence reveals:

SPF 30 protect skin from 97% of UVB
SPF 50 protect skin from about 98% of sun rays, improve glow in skin, but not have very large difference from Spf 30

Higher SPFs block more slowly, but never completely. This is why reapplication matters as much as SPF number.

How to Select the Ideal Sunscreen?

Take into Account Your Skin Type

1. Oily skin

Oil free
gel based
Sunscreen that are non-comedogenic( won't clog pores)
light weight formulas

2. Sensitive skin

Choose sunscreen that are "gentle" ''hypoallergenic''
sunscreen suitable for sensitive skin.
Fragrance free
mineral based sunscreen( ingredients like zinc or titanium dioxide)

3. Acne prone skin

use oil free that won't worsen the breakouts.
light weight, gel based sunscreen (won't heavy on skin) .

4. Dry skin

Moisturizing sunscreen that provide hydration also protecting skin against sun damage. Having Ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin help keep dry skin moist. .

5. Combination skin

Choose light weight that won't feel greasy on oily areas of your face.
Gel based or fluid sunscreen best for combo skin type.

Activity Matters

Daily use of broad spectrum SPF 30 indoors and outdoors
Swimming and sweating: Formulas that resist water
SPF 50+: can be wear in sunny areas like beach, desert and mountain, protect about 98% of sun rays

When to use Sunscreen?

Steps for evidence based application.

Wear sunscreen about 15- 20 minutes from going out
Apply a appropriate amount of sunscreen can protect skin from UV rays. For adults use 2 milligrams per cubic centimeter for body and about 3 flingers for face
Every 2 hours re-use sunscreen.
Re-use sunscreen after swimming or heavy sweating.
Apply sunscreen even if sun has not arise.

This is because of sweating too much and oil makes sunscreen effectiveness deteriorate so reuse the sunscreen is important.

How Sunscreen Protect Skin From the Risk of Skin Cancer?

Apply sunscreen to the skin can protect skin from UV rays that can enter into the skin and may increase the chance of skin cancer.

Because these UV rays (harmful rays) can pierce into the skin, can damage the DNA inside the skin cells. In a long term, repeated damage DNA enlarged the abnormal cell fluctuations that can cause skin cancer.

Sunscreen build a protective layer in the skin, that before enter into the skin deeply can absorb as well as reflect UV rays. When sunscreen is used in a right way it can protect and reduce the damaged that caused by sun in time.

Regular use of sunscreen can reduce the chance of getting various forms of skin cancer for example non-melanoma types, basal cell carcinoma.

But, keep in mind only sunscreen can't fully protect you from sun damage also some sun safety strategies can used

that is wearing cap, gloves, searching shade area, limit exposure to direct sunlight as much as you can especially when sun is expose fully in midday.

Sunscreen Protect From Early Aging

UV rays can increase the pre- aging process because these rays can disrupting the collagen process and elastin. These are the fundamental proteins that are managing skin elasticity and skin hardness.

When these process are damage then we can see the visible signs of pre-aging, wrinkles, fine lines, skin sagging for long term. Dark spots, freckles, rough skin patches and hyperpigmentation in skin these are results due to too much melanin production in body due to UV exposure.

Protection from all these can be possible by using sunscreen in a regular routines, these are some long term strategies to protect skin and maintaining healthy, young skin.

For Different Skin Type and Age Groups Sunscreen is Essential.

Different Age, Skin tone and exposure to sun all these depend for how much sun protection is required. Sunscreen is unchangeable for everyone because it's used as a protective cover from sun damage, sunburn, skin cancer. But, specific group of people might need analysis to use it safely.

Why Children Need Sunscreen?

Because children skin is fragile, soft and thinner than adults. It need special protection and more at a risk of sun damage.

After a while sun exposure for little children can cause sun damage. It is important to make less exposure to direct sunlight for infants under 6 months as possible as you can.

for protection you can safe infants for seeking

Shade
protective clothing
hats

These are best choices to protect infants from sun damage.

For Toddlers or older babies,

SPF 30+ is best sunscreen that can protect babies older than 6 months from harmful UV rays. Use sunscreen on visible areas of skin. In case when clothes is not enough to protect baby from sun or expose clothes.

Mineral sunscreens designed for children and infants

are frequently favored because they sit on the skin's surface and are less likely to irritate.

Formulas that resist water are useful for outdoor play and other activities that require sweating or contact with water.

Why Sunscreen is still necessary for people with Dusky Skin tones ?

Dusky or Dark Skin

Dusky or Dark skin tone type people have too much melanin production in body which can protect skin from UV rays to some extent.

lighter skin tones

Compared to people with lighter skin tones this natural protection may reduce the risk of sunburn, but it does not completely eliminate the risk of sun damage.

Still, people with dusky skin can experience,

uneven coloration
Sun damage to the skin UV exposure damages DNA.
Skin cancer, which is often diagnosed later due to lower perceived risk

Consistent use of sunscreen can protect skin , helps uniform skin tone, permanent UV damage and helps keep barrier better. SPF is important and beneficial for all skin types even because of natural pigmentation in dusky tone people.

Adults Should Apply Sunscreen

As we became older our skin become more thinner, rough and loss skin elasticity. After a certain age skin natural collagen process slows down which makes skin more sensitive to sun damage, environmental damage.

Regular use of sunscreen give benefits to adults

lighten the aging spots that shows
Slows down the aging process
Contribute to overall barrier health
Reduce the risk of UV exposure that increase skin condition

Sun exposure can still damage the skin even in older age , consistent sunscreen use is important that can deteriorate skin texture.

Sunscreen Application Suggestion

Choose Broad Spectrum Sunscreen from UVA rays damage and SPF sunscreen from UVB rays damage.
Reapplication is important for every 2 hours.
Apply sunscreen with water resistant formulas, if you have outside tasks
Use safety objects to protect skin from sun damage like gloves, caps, sunglasses.
Use sunscreen about 20 minutes before leaving out.

SUNSCREEN MYTHS VS Science.

Myth: '' I don't need sunscreen on a cloudy day''

Yes, UV rays can goes through the clouds and reaching the skin causing skin damage. Scientific evidence shows that up to almost 80% UV rays can pass through clouds increasing risk of sunburn, sun damage.

The myth: ''you don't need sunscreen inside''

is that UVA enters windows, blocking direct sunlight does not eliminate all UVA rays.

Myth: “Higher SPF means much better protection”

The fact is that SPF levels above 50 only provide incremental benefits. The importance of applying and reapplying correctly is greater.

Myth: " '' Use Sunscreen only slows down the aging''

Without using antioxidants and skincare aging process can't stop, use sunscreen with antioxidants skincare can slows down the aging process over time. Only sunscreen can keep you protect from harmful UV exposure that can aggregate the skin damage, sunburn and increase aging.

Choose Sunscreen based on Broad Spectrum.

Protection and SPF The broad spectrum coverage and SPF level of a sunscreen are the most important considerations.

Sunscreen with labeling Broad spectrum and SPF shows that how much it protect skin from Harmful UV rays.

Broad spectrum label shows sunscreen protect skin from UVA rays which cause skin damage and aging sign.

SPF label shows sunscreen protect skin from UVB rays which may cause sunburn.

SPF Level deliver protection

For Regular routine

Use SPF 30 0r higher, its best for regular routine and this Spf level protect skin from sun harmful rays long lasting.

For Outdoor tasks.

SPF 50 is best choice for outdoor work , when skin is exposed for a long time in sun and sweating from sun.

SPF Number stand for

SPF label shows ''how much sunscreen protect skin from UVB rays'' but it reduce UVB rays display, it can't fully block these rays..

Use SPF 15 can block about 93% of UVB rays to enter into the skin.

Use SPF 30 can block about 97% of UVB rays to enter into the skin.

Use SPF 50 can block about 98% of UVB rays to enter into the skin.

By using different SPF numbers sunscreen, right way to apply, regular use is necessary to protect skin from sun damage. Without these cares sunscreen high SPF level can't protect you from sun harmful rays.

Examples of Some Sunscreens products

1. SK One SPF 50

2. KAKME SUN EXPERT PA++

3. Ultra Sheer SPF 50+ by Neutrogena

4. Suncademy pinie SPF 50+

5. SYAGI SPF 50+

6. Innisfree Sunscreen

When you have outdoor activities like swimming and when you have heavy sweating water resistant formulas based sunscreen is best choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much amount of sunscreen is required for application?

Use about a nickel sized amount on the face and a shot glass equivalent for full body coverage.

Can sunscreen last forever?

It can, if you use sunscreen fully before the expiry date and keep them in cold temperature.

Can I use sunscreen even I use Spf makeup?

No, makeup doesn't have required amount of sunscreen. Underneath, use a sunscreen made just for that.

Are physical sunscreen more beneficial than chemical sunscreen ?

No, both give same benefits and protection from sun. Its your choice to choose sunscreen whether it's physical or chemical, it depends on activity and skin sensitivity.

Is mineral sunscreen secure to use for children?

Mineral based sunscreen are remain on skin and cause less irritation. For these reason minerals sunscreen is recommended for children and toddlers who have sensitive skin. But, both sunscreen mineral or chemical are effective and safe if these sunscreen are verified and formulate appropriate.

Is sunscreen require if dusky skin type burn less?

Yes. Sunscreen is important even dark skin type have too much melanin production that protect skin from sunburn but it can protect skin from all harmful UV rays which triggered earl aging, pigmentation, permanent sun damage. Sunscreen help keep better skin barrier and helps support uniform skin tone.

Why sunscreen in necessary for older people ?

Older people have more thinner and less collagen production in skin which can't protect skin from sun exposure damage. These rays causes skin damages. Sunscreen daily use can help protect skin from further damages.

Is SPF 50 better option than SPF 50?

No SPF give fully protection from UV rays, between SPF 50 and SPF 30 there is only slightly difference of protection. Both give protection from sun rays. When use with right quantity and reapplication regularly.

How many times sunscreen should be reapply?

Sunscreen effectiveness reduce after having heavy sweating, swimming or exposure to sun for a long time. That's why reapply sunscreen every two hours for better effectiveness and benefits.

Keep in Mind.

Sunscreen helps protect skin from sun damage, sunburn, skin cancer, pigmentation, early age signs, wrinkles, fine lines.
Regular use of sunscreen can maintain a youthful glow and reduce the wrinkles, age spots issues.
Also wear glasses, less skin expose clothes and applying sunscreen.
Choosing a sunscreen with gentle texture, suitable for their skin type.
Aware people to use sunscreen daily .
Sunscreen protect skin from harmful UV rays and be consistent to routine. it makes skin healthy.
Choose sunscreen that labels as ''BOARD-SPECTRUM'' .

THANK YOU

Kindly, Share your thoughts with me if it's helpful or not.

Sunscreen for dry, oily, sensitive skin types( Benefits, Uses, Myths, Facts)