Want to keep your skin looking youthful and radiant? Then don't skip this one product in your skincare routine - Sunscreen! Don't let harsh sun rays damage your skin and increase the risk of cancer. But wait, sunscreen isn't just for summer days - you need it all year round. With so many types of sunscreen out there, discover how to choose the perfect one for your skin type and season. Let's dive into how sunscreen works to shield you from those harmful UV rays!"
How Does a Sunscreen Work?
The main purpose for sunscreen is to block and absorb UV rays. There are two types of sunscreen - chemical and physical.
Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV radiation and converting it into heat, which is then released from the skin. These sunscreens typically contain ingredients such as avobenzone, octinoxate, oxybenzone etc.
Physical sunscreens, on the other hand, work by reflecting UV radiation away from the skin. They create a physical barrier on the skin's surface and contain active ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
While both types of sunscreens provide protection, they differ in their application and feel on the skin. Chemical sunscreens are often preferred for their lightweight texture and are easier to apply evenly on the skin. Physical sunscreens, on the other hand, tend to be thicker and may leave a white cast on the skin.
Regardless of which type you choose, it's essential to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating to ensure optimal protection.
Sunscreen Product Formats
Sunscreens come in different types of base formulations, such as sprays, lotions, gels, and sticks. Each type serves a purpose and has its own set of benefits.
Lotions are the most common type of sunscreens used around the world. These have a moisturizing quality in varying proportions and come with different ingredients to suit different skin types. Sprays are suitable to protect the hard-to-reach areas of your body. Just be careful not to inhale the sunscreen spray when you use it.
Sticks are hands-free and travel–friendly options. Grab a sunscreen stick when you can’t apply the lotion/ gel on your body by spreading it on your palms. Moreover, the stick doesn’t cause the sunscreen to leak.
Gels are suitable for oily skin types and have little or no moisture content. This prevents the clogging of pores while ensuring skin protection.
Other sunscreen terms to know more about?
- SPF (Sun Protection Factor) : Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a measure of how well a sunscreen can protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun's UVB rays. The higher the SPF, the more protection the sunscreen provides. For example, an SPF 30 sunscreen can protect your skin from sunburn 30 times longer than if you didn't wear sunscreen at all. It's important to remember that SPF only measures UVB protection and not UVA protection, so it's crucial to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both types of rays. Additionally, it's essential to apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating to ensure maximum protection. You need a minimum of SPF 15 (blocks 93% of UVB rays) for daily use. That said, SPF 30 blocks up to 97% of UVB rays and is the best choice on most occasions.
- Broad Spectrum Sunscreen: Broad-spectrum sunscreens are sunscreens that provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are responsible for causing sunburn, while UVA rays can penetrate deeper into the skin and cause premature aging and increase the risk of skin cancer. Broad-spectrum sunscreens contain active ingredients that work to block both UVA and UVB rays, such as avobenzone, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide.
- Water Resistance
Sunscreen is not entirely waterproof or sweat-proof. You need to reapply the sunscreen once every two to three hours or after getting wet. However, using a sunscreen labeled as water-resistant will ensure that it’ll stay on your skin for the first 40 to 80 minutes and not get wiped away by tiny traces of humidity or sweat.
Reasons to Use Sunscreen
Sunscreen should always be worn, no matter where you live. Even rainy and winter days are no exception. The sunscreen helps your skin with the following:
- Even Skin Tone: Sunscreen reduces the risk of tanning and discoloration of the skin. This helps in the evening the skin tone and avoiding irregular tan.
- Healthy Skin: When your skin is protected from harmful rays, it naturally stays healthier and softer. Using sunscreen every day (and multiple times a day when necessary) is the first step to achieving healthy skin and to avoid skin cancer.
- Protection from Sunburn: You are at severe risk of sunburn in summer. Sunscreen protects your skin from these red and painful sunburns, even if you have to spend your day under the hot sun. Moreover, sunscreens also protect you from heatstroke. You still have to stay hydrated and drink enough water.
- Minimize Signs of Aging: The harsh sun rays cause fine lines and wrinkles on the skin, resulting in signs of premature aging. Sunscreen will keep your skin soft and minimize the signs of aging caused by overexposure to the sun.
- Suitable for all Skin Types: You can buy sunscreen for any skin type. People of all skin types and skin tones should use sunscreen to avoid skin damage.
How to Choose Your Sunscreen?
You need to choose the sunscreen based on your skin type to get maximum results. For example, People with oily skin should use water or gel-based lightweight sunscreens to avoid a sticky and oily sensation on the skin.
People with dry skin should use sunscreens with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, etc. People with normal skin can use either type of sunscreen, depending on the seasons.
People with acne-prone skin should stay away from oil-based sunscreens. Buy non-comedogenic sunscreens that don’t clog the pores and result in more breakouts.
People with sensitive skin should avoid sunscreens with chemical ingredients. Go for sunscreens with physical ingredients or minerals. Any sunscreen that causes a burning or stinging sensation contains chemical ingredients and is not the right choice for sensitive skin.
How to Use Sunscreen?
Applying sunscreen correctly is important to protect your skin and do its job effectively.
- Make sure to apply sunscreen to all areas of your body that are not covered by clothing. Your hands, legs, face, neck, shoulders, etc., are the main areas to apply sunscreen.
- Be liberal with sunscreen. Research shows that an adult requires around 28 grams of sunscreen for full body sun protection.
- Reapply sunscreen after you get wet or take a swim. If you are prone to more sweating, reapply sunscreen once every two hours, even if the weather is cloudy or rainy. UV rays can still seep through the clouds and harm your skin. That said, follow the instructions on the label for reapplication.
- Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 for low to moderate sun exposure. Using SPF 50 doesn’t mean you can stay longer in the sun. You still need to reapply the sunscreen as and when necessary.
About the Author:
Dr. Gulhima Arora is an experienced board-certified aesthetic dermatologist at the Mehektagul Dermaclinic, New Delhi, India. She is skilled in clinical research, medical education, conventional dermatology and trichology. She specializes in the field of dermal threads, injectables and regenerative medicine. She is a key opinion leader at Regenera ActiveTM, Silhouette Soft SuturesTM and Arthrex PRP SystemTM in India. A trainer for Allergan Medical Institute India, She has trained over a 1000 dermatologists in aesthetic dermatology. Dr. Gulhima Arora serves on the editorial board of medical journals and is a reviewer of a number of dermatology journals. A prolific writer with numerous published articles and chapters in textbooks of dermatology, she has been an invited speaker on numerous topics in dermatology.Disclaimer: The original version of this post was published at www.drgulhimaarora.com
References:
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