How to choose sunscreen

The content of the article:

Sun protection product - what is it? Is it really a necessary item for everyday use or is it just a marketing ploy? If you believe the statements of doctors, sun protection is really important, and its presence in the summer cannot be overestimated, because prolonged exposure to the sun ultimately results in burns, redness and even more serious diseases.

At the beginning of the summer season, it's time to prepare and get sunscreen. It will be useful to you regardless of whether you spend your vacation on the beach or stay in the city. And we will tell you which sunscreen to choose and how not to make a mistake with your purchase.

Why do you need sunscreen?

It would seem that being in the sun is healthy, pleasant, and also necessary to show off a golden tan. However, everything should be in moderation, and sunbathing should be approached with care. There are several reasons that make the sun's rays dangerous:

1. Prolonged exposure to the sun leads to burns. Of course, this is the least of the problems, but also very unpleasant. Burnt skin is painful, red, and blisters. In addition, the appearance of a person sunburned also leaves much to be desired;
2. Premature aging. Ultraviolet light accelerates skin aging, reduces its elasticity, and promotes the development of age spots. If you overuse beach treatments and forget about sun protection, wrinkles will not take long to appear;
3. Skin cancer. Perhaps the most serious consequence that you can get from regularly sunbathing without SPF. This point does not apply to everyone, because, in addition to exposure to sunlight, you also need to take into account heredity, skin type and environmental conditions. However, the connection between ultraviolet radiation and this disease has long been proven.

How to choose sunscreen

The task of purchasing sunscreen can become quite challenging. By grabbing the first tube of product you come across from the store shelf, you can end up with acne, clogged pores, and even allergies. This means that you should first figure out how to choose the ideal sunscreen specifically for your needs.

Study the packaging

Carefully read the text on the product you are purchasing - you will find a lot of useful information. In the case of sunscreens, you will come across several acronyms:

1. SPF - Sun Protection Factor. This is the degree of protection you get when you apply the cream to your skin. Next to these letters you will see a number in the range from 2 to 50. Products with SPF 2-10 block up to 90% of ultraviolet radiation, while those that received the SPF mark of 10 and above provide the highest degree of protection. The maximum possible concentration of protective substances is SPF 50. It prevents up to 99.5% of ultraviolet radiation from penetrating the skin. If you see marks above 50 on the packaging, do not buy such products - sun protection above SPF 50 is simply impossible;
2. UVA - long ultraviolet waves. For the most part, it is they who reach the surface of the Earth and pose the greatest danger. They are the ones who threaten the skin with the most unpleasant consequences, from premature aging to all kinds of diseases;
3. UVB - medium ultraviolet waves. Of those that reach the Earth, there are very few UVB waves - no more than 5%. They cause much less harm, but can still cause minor burns and redness of the skin.

It wouldn't hurt to read the ingredients either. Parabens, mineral oils and petroleum jelly are actually synthetic ingredients. They actively dry out the skin and often cause allergies, as well as clog pores. It is also better not to trust Vitamin A in sunscreens. Unlike moisturizers, which are not meant to be worn under the sun, when used in products with SPF, it can only make your sunburn worse.

The filters themselves are divided into two categories:

1. mechanical (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide);
2. chemical (benzophenone, diphenylketone, oxybenzone).

Mechanical filters remain on the surface of the skin, literally reflecting the sun's rays. Chemical filters easily penetrate cells. Some of them cause individual intolerance. However, mechanical filters also have disadvantages: they are credited with a more frequent development of acne.

Cream, spray or lotion

There are several types of sunscreens:

There is no fundamental difference between these forms; the only noticeable difference is the degree of density. The texture of the cream will be denser and thicker, while the lotion and oil are fluid and easier to distribute over the skin. The stick is suitable for those who want to protect specific areas or pay attention to moles and age spots.

Of all the above forms, only the spray has obvious disadvantages. Despite the ease of application and distribution in hard-to-reach areas, spraying the product leads to the risk of inhaling liquid. This will not cause serious harm, but if you are intolerant to the components, the chance of developing an allergic reaction becomes many times higher.

Sunscreen according to skin type

Your skin type greatly influences which sunscreen to choose:

1. Dry skin. The ideal form of sunscreen for those with dry skin is cream or oil. Be sure to study the composition and make sure that there are no synthetic components in it or are present in minimal quantities. But natural vegetable oils will come in handy (shea butter - as a natural UV filter, chamomile - to soothe heated skin), as well as panthenol to prevent burns as much as possible;
2. Oily skin. In contrast to dry skin, sunscreen for oily skin should have a light texture. Gentle lotions and fluids are best. Avoid mineral oils, petroleum jelly and paraffin. It is also better to give preference to products with chemical filters;
3. Sensitive skin. The formula of the product can be any convenient for you - from cream to spray. But it is better to choose the SPF value as high as possible - up to 50. Try to choose a hypoallergenic product or test the skin reaction in advance before applying the cream to your face or body. Physical filters are safer for sensitive skin.

How to choose and use sunscreen at sea

During a trip to the sea, you can’t do without sunscreen. In this case, you will also have to take into account several factors to choose the ideal product:

1. Remember about age. The younger you are, the more protection your skin will need under the scorching sun. It is better to choose sunscreen for children with the maximum protection factor;
2. Consider your phototype. In temperate latitudes, 4 of them are found: Celtic (fair skin, blond hair, freckles), Scandinavian (fair skin, light brown hair), European (light skin, light brown or light brown hair) and Mediterranean (darker skin, olive , brown hair). The lighter your skin and the closer your phototype is to Celtic, the greater the degree of protection you will need. However, even for representatives of the Mediterranean phototype it is not recommended to lower the SPF below 15 in summer at sea.

When holidaying at sea, it is also worth stocking up on sunscreen with varying degrees of protection. Especially if you come to the sea from a cloudy region, you should start with sunscreen with a factor of 40-50. But after a few days, when your skin gets used to a lot of sun, you can switch to a less strong product to achieve a tan without harming yourself.

How to use sunscreen correctly

To be sure of the safety of your own skin, when using sunscreen you also need to remember certain rules:

1. Start early. Sunscreen should be applied at least 15-20 minutes before going outside. This time is enough for the cream to be absorbed and the filters to become active. If you find yourself in the sun earlier, you will have time to absorb a dose of ultraviolet radiation;
2. Update your protection. A common misconception is that applying SPF once a day is enough. In fact, over time, filters stop working, being destroyed by exposure to sunlight. And if you swim in the sea, then this is completely equivalent to taking a shower - after swimming there will be no cream left on the skin. Therefore, it is better to repeat the procedure with applying the cream every 1.5-2 hours, as well as after each bathing;
3. Protect your entire body. Clothing is not at all the same thing as special sun protection. Moreover, summer clothes are light and often translucent. Therefore, before going outside, apply sunscreen completely;
4. Don't skimp on the cream. No matter how much you want to save money, it is better to use a moderate amount of cream than to rub it in a thin layer. If you spare money, the barrier will not last even the promised two hours;
5. Do not try to apply the product over makeup. Even if this is not the first time you've covered yourself with sun protection, take the time and effort to remove old makeup and reapply your makeup after using SPF cream. Most likely, in two hours under the sun it will already lose its freshness, and if you are a fan of heavy makeup at any time of the year, then acne and irritation will not take long to appear.

Why use sunscreen at all?

And do all creams protect equally?

Which one should you choose?

Isn't it easier to buy SPF 50 for any skin, since it protects so well?

So the creams differ only in SPF?

And which ones are better to choose?

Doesn't it protect against all types?

If I swim, will the cream wash off?

If the cream remains, can I use it next year?

If you are in the sun for a long time, be sure to buy sunscreen. Find out why you should use it and how to choose the right one.

Why use sunscreen at all?

And do all creams protect equally?

Which one should you choose?

Your skin type also affects the level of protection.

Isn't it easier to buy SPF 50 for any skin, since it protects so well?

The lower the SPF level and the amount of potentially dangerous substances in the cream, the better.

Don't overuse protection if you don't need it.

So the creams differ only in SPF?

And which ones are better to choose?

If you have sensitive skin and don't want to apply cream before going out into the sun, choose physical creams. If you are going to swim, actively train, and don’t like greasy consistency and stains on the skin, choose chemical ones.

In addition, pay attention to what types of rays the chosen cream protects from.

Greetings. You will learn how to choose sunscreen for your face.

We need the sun to produce vitamin D and to produce collagen, which protects facial skin from wrinkles and sagging.

It is not solar radiation that is harmful, but its excess. During the hot summer months, our face is at risk of receiving excessive doses of ultraviolet radiation every day.

How to protect your skin from the sun

Special sunscreens protect you from the danger of rays. And today we’ll talk about how to choose sunscreen for your face.

Such a remedy for skin pigmentation can effectively protect it, because very often pigmentation on the face appears precisely from exposure to the rays of the sun.

It is for this reason that every woman should know how to choose a sunscreen for the face against age spots, and with the onset of summer, this product should always be in her cosmetic bag.

Different ultraviolet rays

1. UVC radiation: short waves, they do not reach the surface.
2. UVB radiation: medium waves. There are only 5% of them in ultraviolet light. The greatest activity of B-rays occurs in the time range from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They do not penetrate through clouds and windows, but are very powerful: they can cause burns and lead to skin cancer.
3. UVA radiation: long waves that are present in our lives year-round during the light period of the day. Their presence does not depend on the weather or climate zone. These rays are weaker than UVB, but they cause even more damage than type B rays, because they penetrate both clouds and windows. Type A rays are responsible for our tanning and also for the formation of free radicals. They can also cause abnormal cell production, which in some cases leads to skin cancer.

It is important to purchase a facial sunscreen that will protect against both type A and type B rays.

You can often find products on the market that protect only from UVB radiation.

The degree of protection against B-rays SPF is indicated on the tube or jar, but SPF does not protect against the rays of the spectrum A. PA filters provide protection against type A rays.

Types of UV filters

So, sunscreen: how to choose the right one? First of all, you need to pay attention to whether the cream provides not only SPF protection, but also UVA protection.

The level of protection and composition of the product are also important.

Sun filters can be physical or chemical. Physical reflect, and chemical absorb ultraviolet.

In the West, in theory, chemical filters are referred to as “Sansscreen”, and physical filters as “Sanblock”. However, the terminology is not regulated by anyone.

The name “Sunscreen” is, in fact, universal for any sunscreen.

In the USA, they even banned the name “Sunblock”, believing that the term could convince the buyer that the cream will completely protect against UV (despite the fact that no cream protects 100%).

Physical and chemical filters: nuances

Physical filters protect against rays B and A.

They are safe, non-toxic, do not penetrate the skin, and do not provoke allergic reactions.

There is no accumulation of these substances in the body. The disadvantages include the fact that they are visually opaque and difficult to “adhere” to the skin.

No one wants to use a sticky product that can leave white marks on the skin or run off, and it doesn't provide enough protection.

Chemical filters are organic compounds: avobenzones, cinnamates, salicylates, benzophenones and others.

They tend to penetrate the upper layer of the skin, and they begin to “work” almost immediately. No streaks are left on the face.

Disadvantages include possible allergic reactions to filter ingredients and the instability of some filters, which can quickly degrade in the sun.

Also, a number of experts believe that the substances of chemical filters are not removed from the body properly, and their accumulation has an effect similar to the effect of hormones.

It is best to choose sunscreens that combine both types of filters.

Sun protection factors

The SPF value tells us to what extent the skin is protected from B-rays (how long you can stay in the sun before redness occurs).

Which sunscreen for face should I choose based on SPF?

1. SPF 2-4 will protect against UVB radiation by 75%.
2. SPF 4-10: 85-94%.
3. SPF 10-20: 95-96.6%.
4. SPF 20-30: 96.7% protection.
5. SPF 50: 98% protection.

For example, if you have fair skin that turns red in ten minutes in direct sunlight, then theoretically an SPF30 cream will increase this time tenfold.

But this is theoretical, since every two hours the cream needs to be washed off if you are outside and a new layer applied.

SPF30 provides protection from 96.7% of ultraviolet radiation, and SPF50 from 98%.

There are no sunscreens with a factor greater than 50: there is no point in creating a sunscreen that gives the illusion of absolute protection.

There are still no uniform standards in the world to indicate the degree of protection against UVA radiation. In South Korea and Japan, the PA factor is used as a parameter.

It shows how quickly the skin reacts to A-rays. PA+ means protection factor from 2 to 4, PA++ from 4 to 8, PA+++ 8 or more. It is better to choose a cream with a PA+++ factor.

In addition to both filters, which contain good sunscreens, the products may contain vitamins A, F, ascorbic acid, B vitamins, calcium, and various oils.

But do not buy cream with vitamin A, it can lead to the appearance of age spots.

And make sure that your cream does not contain the following ingredients:

Phototype

With different phototypes, the skin has different sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. People with light skin are less protected than those with dark skin.

1. For fair skin in temperate climates, a sunscreen with SPF 15 is required, in hot climates with SPF 25-30.
2. For normal skin: SPF 4 and SPF 15, respectively.
3. For dark skin: SPF 4 in the first week of sun exposure in a temperate climate, then you can not use it; SPF 15 in the first week in hot climates and SPF 4 the remaining days; In very hot climates, use SPF 15 all the time.

Making a choice

Which sunscreen for tanning should I choose for fair skin that is most sensitive to UV rays?

Sanskrins with SPF 30 and PA+++ are the best option.

When choosing, you need to take into account your age (before 40 years, the skin itself is better protected than after 40), and the condition in which your skin is, and its phototype, and lifestyle (how much time do you spend outside in the hot months) , and the ultraviolet radiation index where you live.

To determine the solar radiation index (and, accordingly, select the level of protection), you can use the nesgori.ru service. And usually smartphones have information about the current UV index.

1. Sunscreen must be water-resistant.
2. Do not buy products containing oxybenzone, octinoxate and retinyl palmitate. These are dangerous components (for various reasons).
3. For Russians who are not on the beach or on a picnic in the summer, SPF from 4 to 15 is, in general, the best option. For walks, the beach, etc. You should choose SPF 25-30.
4. If ultraviolet radiation is completely contraindicated (for some cosmetic procedures, hyperpigmentation, and also when using medications that increase sensitivity to UV rays), it is necessary to constantly protect the skin in the summer by daily using sunscreen with an SPF of 25-30.

Many experts advise using creams rather than sunscreen sprays. Now you know how to choose sunscreen.