How does sunscreen work?

Knowing how to choose the right tanning cream is important for everyone. Experts have found that ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by the skin all year round, both in winter and summer. For example, it can penetrate window frames and affect a person. Even if you are not planning a trip to the sea, think about buying sunscreen.

Sunbathing: benefits and harms

Sunlight has always been attractive to the human body. This can be explained by the fact that it contains useful vitamin D. This component has a beneficial effect on hormonal levels and has a preventive effect against diseases of the liver, kidneys and heart. Vitamin D is an active participant in metabolism and regulates the absorption of essential microelements such as calcium and phosphorus. A small amount of ultraviolet radiation has a beneficial effect on various types of skin diseases.

True, solar radiation can have not only positive, but also negative effects. If there is an overdose of ultraviolet radiation, all the benefits of solar procedures will be useless. Improper tanning, without following the necessary protection rules, can lead to:

1. Premature skin aging.
2. The appearance of age spots.
3. Impaired functioning of the sebaceous glands.
4. The development of cancer, in particular melanoma.
5. The occurrence of allergic reactions, rashes.

You can get an overdose of solar radiation even in cold weather, this is especially true for mountainous areas. To protect yourself from the negative effects of sunlight, you must use protective equipment. They include special filters that block harmful radiation from entering the body. Compositions of this type are used before sunbathing. This will help not to receive an excess of ultraviolet radiation and keep the skin from burning and inflammation.

Many creams not only perform a protective function, but also help improve the quality of the resulting tan. Using a tanning product helps ensure an even shade without any negative effects. Therefore, they should become an indispensable attribute at any time of the year, especially when exposed to the scorching rays of the sun.

What to look for on the label?

A good product should always have the letters UVB or UVA, and sometimes UVB and UVA together. What kind of letters are these? They mean dangerous ultraviolet radiation. Let's look at how these rays differ from each other:

1. UVB rays are most active in the summer and in small doses provide a beautiful tan, but in large doses they can cause burns. But it is this type of ray that produces vitamin D.
2. UVA - this radiation is active all year round and is the strongest and most dangerous type for human health. There are no barriers for such rays; they easily penetrate through any fabric, windows and can cause enormous harm to the body.

Next, we look for the following abbreviations: SPF (UVB protection) and PPD, PA, IPD (UVA protection). Let's take a closer look at them.

SPF (UVB protection)

When buying a sunscreen, first of all, you should pay attention to the three main letters on the packaging - SPF (Sun Protection Factor), which means the cream's protection factor from UVB rays. SPF values ​​may vary:

1. High factor - SPF (30-100).
2. The average factor is SPF (15-25).
3. The basic factor is SPF (2-10).

The higher the SPF, the greasier the product and the denser it feels on the skin. It is important to take into account the fact that no product, even with SPF 100, will provide 100% protection against burns. Let's visually see what percentage of the sun's rays each SPF can reflect:

1. 99% - SPF 100
2. 98% - SPF 50-60
3. 97% - SPF 30-45
4. 96% - SPF 25
5. 95% - SPF 20
6. 93% - SPF 15
7. 90% - SPF 10
8. 83% - SPF 6
9. 50% - SPF 2

When choosing the SPF value, you must be guided by the following indicators:

1. Phototype (degree of skin vulnerability to UV radiation).
2. Time of year (in winter, protection is required several times less than in summer).
3. Time of day (the sun's rays are most active from 10 to 16 hours, the rest of the time they are less active).
4. Geography (at the equator the sun is more intense than in central Russia, for example).
5. Location (sea or mountain peaks require higher SPF).

PPD, PA and IPD (UVA protection)

To create a barrier from UVA rays (and they are the most dangerous), various signs are used: IPD, PPD, RA. You can also see them on the bottle of the product:

1. Immediate Pigment Darkening (IPD)characterizes the difficulty of protecting a particular product from UVA rays. The maximum level of protection can be 90%.
2. Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD) characterizes the level of reduction in radiation dose from UVA. Its highest value is 42, that is, a product with this characteristic reduces the level of radiation entering the skin by 42%. Also, the treasured letters PPD can be “hidden” behind the designation UVA in a circle. This means that the sunscreen has a dermatologist-recommended, harmless PPD level.
3. Protection Grade of UVA (PA) - this designation method is more typical for creams produced in eastern countries and is an indicator that characterizes the degree of active protection. This index is expressed by the designations “+”, “++” or “+++”: PA+ minimal UVA protection, PA++ average UVA protection, PA+++ very high UVA protection.

When choosing a certain type of cream, it is important to consider the level of its protection against UVB and UVA penetration. When choosing, it is important to pay attention to the abbreviations indicated on the bottles or tubes.

Tanning cream and skin phototype

Before choosing sun protection, it is important to decide on your personal phototype, since not all cosmetics are universal. Essentially, a phototype is a category that indicates the degree of vulnerability of your skin to UV radiation. That’s why it’s so important to determine your phototype, and there are 6 in total.

1. 1 type Celtic.Such people have a white-pink skin tone, which is often covered with freckles. Usually these are blondes with blue eyes or red-haired people with fair skin. Representatives of this type find it difficult, one might even say impossible, to sunbathe. Under the influence of sunlight, their skin burns and becomes inflamed, and the tan does not apply to the skin at all. It is better for them to be in the sun in the morning or evening hours. For the first type, a cream with maximum protection SPF 50+ will be relevant.
2. Type 2 Light-skinned European. These representatives have light skin and hair, and eyes of gray, green or brown color. The second type of skin has a chance to tan, but under certain conditions. It is better to take sunbathing in the morning, before 11 o'clock, or in the evening after 17:00. For them, a cream with an SPF index of at least 30 is relevant.
3. Type 3 Black European. It is characterized by brown-eyed people with light brown or brown hair. People with phototype 3 usually have ivory-colored skin, which burns only due to oversight. After tanning, they acquire a chocolate color or golden hue. For long-term tanning, you should use a cream with a protection level of SPF 20.
4. Type 4 Mediterranean.These people are brown-eyed, with dark hair and dark skin. Their skin can tan without negative consequences for about an hour. Tanning products with minimal protection, for example SPF 20, are suitable for them, because the skin of representatives of this type is not afraid of burns, but UVA rays, which provoke age spots and wrinkles, have not been canceled.
5. Type 5 Asiatic. Type 5 people have dark skin and can stay in the sun for a long time without fear of negative consequences or burns. However, they are prone to premature aging, which means they must be protected using broad-spectrum products.
6. Type 6 African.Representatives of phototype 6 are completely protected from burns, but they need to take care of sufficient hydration of their skin while in the sun.

For children's skin, you need to look for special sunscreens for children, with an SPF of at least 30.

Rules for using creams to obtain a safe tan

In order for the sunbathing process to be effective and safe, it is important to adhere to certain rules:

1. Before starting use, do not forget to test for an allergic reaction. Instructions for use are usually presented on the tube itself.
2. Sunscreen must be applied 20 minutes before going for a walk, this time will be enough for the product to be absorbed. The face and body must be clean and dry. And if you forgot to apply sunscreen beforehand, use an oil-based product as it will absorb faster.
3. During constant exposure to the sun, it is important to regularly cover your body with SPF cream, preferably once every 2 hours. Tanning creams and sunscreen creams are best suited for those with dry and sensitive skin on the face and body. For those with oily skin or thick hair, gels are excellent sun protection. Sun protection in the form of lotions is most often chosen to be applied to the eyelid area.
4. When applying protective cream, it is important to distribute it evenly throughout the body, not forgetting about areas on the neck, arms, décolleté, and ears. These areas are most exposed to ultraviolet rays. You can use a special balm for your lips.
5. Pay attention to moles. If you have them on your body, it is better to apply a high SPF cream to them. For these purposes, Sanskrin in the form of a stick is convenient. Also, the sticks are the most waterproof.
6. After water treatments, it is important to reapply sunscreen and other alternative products, even if the packaging says that the product is waterproof.
7. A good product for added protection is mineral makeup powder. It contains special inorganic elements that are capable of filtering ultraviolet radiation, as well as other protective components. The product may have SPF 50 protection.
8. The use of sunscreen is the main prevention of protecting the skin from aging and fading. The cream is applied in a circular motion and in an even layer, without missing a single centimeter of exposed skin.
9. Before tanning, the use of perfumes, deodorants and other alcohol-containing components is contraindicated. When exposed to direct sunlight, it can cause an allergic reaction, rashes and age spots.
10. It is important to apply the cream taking into account its period of action. Even if there was no contact with water, after a certain period of time the protective composition must be reapplied. This usually depends on the person's phototype.
11. After sunbathing, first of all you need to take a shower and apply lotions with a moisturizing composition to the skin of your face and body.
12. Tan gradually. Even with the use of protective equipment, scientists do not recommend spending more than 2 hours in the open sun. This can lead not only to burns, but also to sunstroke or heatstroke. And remember that going to the beach between 11:00 and 17:00 is not recommended, even if you use a cream with maximum SPF.
13. When using a protective cream, it is important to pay attention to its expiration date. After opening the package, it can be used for six months. Interaction with oxygen of the cream triggers the oxidation process, due to which all protective properties are lost.
14. The choice of creams should be made in favor of moisture-resistant ones, since they actively protect not only upon contact with water, but also with sweat.
15. Do not skimp on the amount of product applied. Dermatologists recommend applying at least 30 grams of cream.

Which product should I choose?

Products with SPF are available in a wide variety of forms, these can be:

1. Creams, gels and emulsions. They are considered the most effective and easy to use.
2. Oils. Less effective as they form a thin protective layer on the skin.
3. Sticks. They are made on a wax base, so they are waterproof and are ideal for local application, for example on moles, nose, ears.
4. Powders.Used for makeup with SPF, needed for additional protection.
5. Aerosols and sprays.An excellent option for hair and scalp. Must be rubbed during application and may be hazardous if inhaled.

By purchasing and using tanning products correctly, everyone can get not only a high-quality, even and beautiful tan, but also protect their skin from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation. You need to choose only proven products; you should not buy too cheap products with questionable composition and from little-known manufacturers. The following brands are popular:

1. Vichy Capital Soleil SPF 50– does not leave an oily sheen, recommended for sensitive skin and facial skin. Economical, moisturizes and softens.
2. Avene SPF 50– moisturizes and protects sensitive skin from excessive pigmentation. Combines a hypoallergenic formula and water resistance.
3. Bioderma Photoderm SPF 50 – Suitable for skin with various dermatological diseases. Provides an even complexion and makes the skin soft.
4. La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL 50 – has a weightless texture, stable to moisture. Absorbs quickly and mattifies.
5. Mustela SPF 50 – features an enhanced formula to moisturize the skin. It contains caring substances, is economical, and odorless.
6. ISIS Pharma RUBORIL EXPERT SPF 50 – has a tonal effect, great for aging skin.
7. Yves Rocher "Extreme Safety" SPF 50 – does not leave sticky residue, is quickly absorbed, providing good protection to the skin. Does not wash off with water.
8. Garnier Ambre Solaire “Expert Protection” SPF 50 – hypoallergenic cream, waterproof, contains vitamin E. It is perfectly absorbed without leaving any traces.
9. Kiehl's Activated Sun Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50 for body – a lotion that will give you and your skin a feeling of comfort. Makes skin smooth and has anti-aging properties.
10. Neutrogena Pure & Free Liqu >Of course, these are not all sun protection products. Currently, virtually every brand has similar creams, lotions, fluids, balms, sprays with diverse compositions and properties, as well as with varying degrees of protection.

And if you do get sunburned, it is better to immediately treat the damaged skin with a special product, for example, Panthenol, and then eliminate traumatic sun exposure until complete recovery. This will take several days. That is why, in order not to spoil your vacation, do not neglect the use of effective tanning cream!

Let's talk about what product will help you tan - not just fry in the sun, like on a grill, but protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation and at the same time acquire an even, beautiful shade. Top 5 best tanning creams, according to skin.ru - take note.

1. What is the cream for?
2. How does suntan lotion work in the sun?
3. What are the sun protection indices?
4. How to choose sunblock
5. How to use sunscreen
6. Precautionary measures
7. Basic rules for safe tanning
8. Top 5 best tanning creams

What is the cream for?

Sunblock, like any sunscreen, is needed to ensure that the sun's rays become a source of joy and a beautiful tan, and not a cause of burns and photoaging. The product copes with this task perfectly.

Choose your cream responsibly © IStock

The main thing is to choose a product with the optimal SPF, and for this you need to adequately assess the skin’s sensitivity to tanning and its tendency to burn.

Classics of the genre. Has additional nutritional properties. Typically addressed to normal to dry facial skin.

Fluid

A lightweight sunscreen for normal, combination and oily skin.

Milk, lotion

A universal option for face and body, something between a cream and a fluid with SPF.

How does suntan lotion work in the sun?

Sunblock, like any product with SPF, forms a screen on the skin, allowing you to increase your safe exposure to the sun. The formulas are based on sunscreen filters, which come in two types.

Physical (mineral). They do not penetrate the skin, forming a protective layer on its surface that reflects the sun's rays.

Chemical (organic). Absorb ultraviolet radiation and convert light energy into heat.

What are the sun protection indices?

The sun protection factor SPF is a value that shows by what percentage the impact of type B rays, which are responsible for the production of melanin in the skin, is reduced, that is, for tanning and also for burns.

SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays;

SPF 30 — 97%;

SPF 50 (+) — 98–99%.

The difference is small, but for people sensitive to the sun it can make a difference.

How to choose sunblock

Many believe that the secret to a quick and rich tan is many hours of exposure to the sun and minimal protection from UV radiation. This is a mistake: the rate of production of the protective pigment melanin, as well as its color, depend on your phototype. Without providing your skin with adequate protection, you will get a burn.

Not everyone will have dark pigment in place of redness. And that tan won't last long. Looking to find the best sunscreen? Determine your phototype.

I Celtic

People with reddish or blond hair, freckles and milky white or pinkish skin that never tans and always burns will have to be content with artificial tanning. Well, or short-term exposure to the sun in the morning and evening hours. A cream with maximum protection 50+ is required.

II Light-skinned European

Such skin has a chance to tan, but achieving the goal will require discipline and responsibility: sunbathing strictly before 10.00–11.00 in the morning and after 17.00 in the evening. Sunscreen with SPF no lower than 30.

Choose tanning cream according to your photo type © IStock

III Black European

Dark blond, light-eyed, brown-haired people with ivory skin tan well, getting sunburned only through an oversight. To prevent this from happening, you will need protection of at least SPF 20. Then an even, lasting tan will be ensured throughout the summer.

IV Mediterranean

Dark-haired, brown-eyed people with creamy or olive skin tan superbly. People of this phototype are not afraid of burns, so from the first days they can afford to use tanning oils with minimal protection.

V Asian

Dark skin color and genetics allow representatives of this phototype to bask in the sun without unpleasant consequences. These people should not be afraid of burns, but of premature aging. And protect yourself with broad-spectrum products.

VI African

Representatives of this phototype are completely protected from burns, but they are hardly interested in tanning. At sea, they need to take care that their skin is well moisturized.

For fair skin, you need a product with a high protection factor of SPF 30 or SPF 50. White-skinned people have no other chance to get a high-quality tan without burns.

How to use sunscreen

The quality and durability of your tan depends on how you apply the product and how much you use: whether it will be uniform and last at least another month after your vacation or disappear in a week.

When? Apply suncream in 20 minutes before leaving home. This time is enough to form a stable protection that will help avoid burns on the way to the beach.

How many? The recommended amount ensures even coverage of the skin and depends on the texture of the photoprotective product, packaging (with or without a dispenser) and the intensity of exposure to open sun. 100 ml enough photoprotective agent for 4–7 days active use for face and body. But this is exactly the case when there is no need to save.

How often? Physical filters are easily washed off, while organic filters stop working after two hours. Therefore, re-application after swimming and every two hours mandatory, even if the bottle is marked “waterproof”.

To get a good (beautiful and lasting) tan, you will need several creams with different SPF. In the first 4-5 days, protect yourself to the maximum with SPF 50. Then you can reduce the protection to SPF 30, and after a week, limit yourself to SPF 20 or 15.

Precautionary measures

Just remember that no cream guarantees 100 percent sun protection.

Few people know that ultraviolet radiation is a 100% carcinogen. And, according to the head of the laboratory of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency Oleg Grigoriev, it is much more dangerous than the notorious mobile phones. You can get a killer dose of ultraviolet radiation even on a cool day, especially in the mountains, which is why it is so important to use sunscreen all year round.

But which one to choose from all the variety? Let's figure it out.

Director of Johnson & Johnson Skincare Research Warren Vallo warns: the skin is constantly nourished by ultraviolet radiation, not only in summer, but also in winter. Even if you sit in the office from morning to evening and don’t show your nose outside during the day, ultraviolet light still penetrates through the glass (if your desk is near a window, don’t forget about the cream).

Not to mention the time when you are outside, relaxing in the park, skiing, swimming - at this time the rays affect the top layer of skin - the epidermis. Therefore, creams with SPF should be used all year round, and not just during a holiday at the resort.

1. In increased doses, it causes the development of skin cancer, especially melanoma.
2. Causes signs of photoaging, the first “bell” of which is age spots.
3. It becomes the cause of hyperkeratosis, that is, thickening and excessive peeling of the stratum corneum of the epidermis.
4. Causes premature appearance of wrinkles.
5. It provokes the development of photosensitivity and rashes, which are in many ways similar to allergies, which is why people are often mistakenly prescribed the wrong treatment.

HOW TO CHOOSE A CREAM

Last year, experts from the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University Medical Center in Chicago conducted an examination of sunscreens. And they were shocked. Almost half of the funds (41%) did not meet the stated requirements!

A total of 65 Sanskrins were subject to examination. Many of them did not contain the protective index declared on the packaging, some did not have the promised water resistance, and there were also those that contained expired components.

In such a situation, how can you avoid making a mistake when purchasing and becoming a victim of unscrupulous manufacturers? Here's what dermatologists advise:

1. The generally accepted designation of protection on such products is indicated by the abbreviation SPF (Sun Protection Factor). However, this icon means that the cream only protects against UVB rays, that is, medium waves of ultraviolet radiation. And there are also long UVA rays. They are protected from them by filters designated - depending on the country - as PA (Protection Grade of UVA) or PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening). Thus, for the greatest protection, it is worth buying a cream whose packaging contains double protection - SPF and PA (PPD).

2. The number next to the abbreviation shows how “strong” the product is. The higher the number, the better. In the case of SPF, the maximum value is 50 (this provides the strongest protection and is recommended for use on the beach or in areas of high radiation, for example, in Australia). For use in the city, SPF 30 is also suitable. Anything below 20 is no longer protection, but rather a conversation in favor of the poor.

With PA, the level of protection is indicated not by numbers, but by pluses: the maximum value is PA++++, the minimum is PA+.

3. There are also UVC rays, but they are too short and do not reach the Earth, so there is no need to worry about them. If the sunscreen says: “protects against UVC,” then this is a simple deception and “conception” of buyers.

4. If possible, choose a product that is water and sweat resistant (the packaging should be labeled “water resistant”).

5. If you use several protective products at once (for example, cream and powder), then keep in mind that the filters in this case are not added. Only one will work, the one with the highest value. For example, if you apply a cream with a protective index of SPF 30, and put SPF15 powder on top, then the protection will not be 45, but only 30.

6. Trust the advice of your friends less and trust experts and dermatologists more. It has been proven more than once: the testimony of experts and ordinary people differs significantly. For ordinary people, packaging beauty and smell have proven to be more important indicators than product performance. But it should be exactly the opposite