Skin Care Step 5: The Essential Guide to Sunscreens

Your mom uses one type, your best friend another. Your sister swears by a brand you’ve never heard of. And your best friend forgot to put his on this morning (pant!).

With so many sun protection habits and opinions, how do you know? what is the best sunscreen for your skin? Between different lifestyles, skin types, tones and concerns, there’s a lot to consider when choosing a sunscreen.

So what are you doing need For the record; We’ve got the answers to the most common questions about sunscreen, so you can feel confident about the most important step in your skincare routine.

First off, do I have to wear sunscreen every day?

The short answer: yes, always! Sun damage doesn’t just happen in the summer. Solar radiation can pass through clouds and be reflected off surfaces such as water and snow. So, sun protection should not be limited to summer or sometimes.

How does sunscreen help protect my skin?

First, let’s talk about the solar spectrum. The solar spectrum is made up of different types of radiation and some of them may sound familiar:

UVA rays: Often referred to as aging rays, this type of solar radiation is responsible for premature aging of the skin (photoaging), including the appearance of sun spots and wrinkles. This type of rays can pass through the glass and reach your skin while you are at home, driving or working in the office.

UVB rays: This type of rays is the main cause of sunburn (which is why it is known as combustion Ray). And tanning, rather than being healthy, is actually a sign of sun damage.

Both types of rays also contribute to the risk of developing skin cancer. Fortunately, broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB radiation.

If I don’t burn, should I wear sunscreen?

It’s important to remember that sun damage is much more than the occasional sunburn – Sun damage is cumulative and sunscreen helps protect your skin from sunburn, premature skin aging and skin cancer.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a “safe” tan or time in the sun without protection. Unprotected sun exposure can damage skin cells, speeding up the natural aging process and increasing the risk of skin cancer. So even if you have a deeper skin tone and don’t burn easily, the sun still affects your skin.

To protect yourself, do your best to use sunscreen and follow good sun protection habits, such as seeking shade and wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and protective clothing. Additionally, check your local UV index to find out how strong the sun is where you are right now.

What does sunscreen have to do with skin aging?

Your skin has memory, meaning that damage accumulates over the years. The sun’s UV radiation causes unstable molecules, called free radicals, to break down proteins in the skin. While your body has natural processes to help protect it, damage to cells and DNA can occur if the number of free radicals produced becomes too large.

This process is called oxidative stress and shows up on the skin as the early development of fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation. in other words, premature aging. The good news; Sunscreen can help combat this process protecting the skin from sun photoaging.

How to read your sunscreen label

Ok, now you understand the importance of using sunscreen. But it is equally important to understand what kind of protection to choose. For starters, there are properties that every sunscreen should have. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen that:

• It has an SPF of 30 or higher
• It offers broad-spectrum protection

Let’s dive into the details.

What does broad spectrum mean?

Remember: UVA radiation is primarily responsible for long-term damage such as photoaging and skin cancer, while UVB radiation contributes to sunburn. Broad spectrum sunscreen protects your skin from both, making it the only type of sunscreen recommended by American Academy of Dermatology.

What do the letters do? protection factor represent;

SPF is short for sun protection factor. It measures how long your sunscreen will help protect your skin from UVB radiation. Sunscreens use the SPF system to advise the amount of protection they offer your skin from sunburn and tanning, both of which can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

What do the numbers after SPF mean?

Good question! The numbers on your sunscreen, such as SPF 30 and SPF 50, to tell you how long it will take for UVB radiation to burn your skin when you’re out in the sun — as long as you use the sunscreen exactly as directed on the label. But it’s important to remember that it’s not an instant measurement (SPF 30 doesn’t mean 30 minutes).

It is better to choose a higher protection factor to help protect your skin from sunburn and damage for longer when in direct sunlight. However, you need to reapply sunscreen often! More on that in a second.

What is waterproof sunscreen?

When a sunscreen is water resistant, means that the SPF has been tested and proven to remain effective when the skin is wet. Check the label on your sunscreen, which will tell you if the product is water resistant and how long you can rely on it while swimming or sweating. This is usually measured over a 40 or 80 minute period — so be sure to track the reapply as specified.

How to choose a sunscreen

Types, textures and benefits. These are the starting points to find the best sunscreen for your skin. Now, let’s delve into each factor.

What is mineral sunscreen and how does it work?

Mineral sunscreens use ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to help protect your skin from the sun. They function by forming a shield over the skin, helping to deflect the sun’s rays. They are sometimes also called natural sunscreens.

Many dermatologists recommend mineral formulas as they are generally suitable for a wide range of skin types, including sensitive skin. And with the right composition, they can do more than protect. Our unique Eryfotona sunscreen minerals help repair existing sun damage to the skin through the use of DNA Repairsomes®.

What about chemical sunscreens?

Unlike mineral sunscreens, chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin. They help convert UV radiation into scattered heat. And as long as your sunscreen has an SPF of 30 or higher and offers broad-spectrum protection, choosing between a chemical and mineral sunscreen comes down to personal preference.

Is there a difference between face and body sunscreen?

The main difference between body and face sunscreen is the texture and formulation. Sunscreen shouldn’t feel like a chore, and the best choice is one you’ll wear every day.

For face sunscreens, look for an ultra-lightweight emulsion formula. Choose one that blends easily into the skin, leaving no greasy residue or white cast. With body sunscreen, antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients are key players in daily compositions.

How to wear sunscreen

Now is the time. You have found your ally in your daily skin care: the perfect facial sunscreen. The next step; Make sure you wear it the right way and reapply often enough.

Should I apply sunscreen before or after moisturizer?

Sunscreen should be the last step in your skincare routine, so you’ll apply it after your moisturizer. Here’s a quick breakdown of a morning skin care routine:

Step 1: Clean
Step 2: Apply eye contour cream
Step 3: Apply your serum
Step 4: Moisturize
Step 5: Protect the skin with sunscreen

Be sure to leave some time between applying your moisturizer and moving on to your sunscreen step to ensure the product is properly absorbed. Another tip? Apply your sunscreen according to the product label and at least 15 minutes before leaving the house in the morning or before sun exposure.

How often should I reapply sunscreen?

Reapply at least every two hours, regardless of the sun protection factor. And even more often (about every 40 minutes) while swimming, sweating or after drying with a towel. All of these measures depend on the activity you do, the intensity of the sun when you are exposed, and even your skin type.

What about reapplying sunscreen over makeup? Try a tinted formula. Eryfotona Ageless is an ultra-light tinted mineral sunscreen that provides SPF 50 broad-spectrum protection. Flexible coverage helps skin appear more even in tone and corrects visible imperfections.

Running out of sunscreen?

Sunscreen has an expiration date. But don’t worry, probably not soon!

The Food and Drug Administration mandates that everyone Sunscreens must be formulated to maintain their original degree of protection for three years — even after opening. However, this schedule only takes into account optimal storage conditions. So if you’re prone to leaving your sunscreen in a hot car, your formula may wear off sooner.

To keep your sunscreen in top shape, avoid exposing the bottle to excessive heat or direct sunlight. And be sure to throw away sunscreen that shows any noticeable changes in color or consistency. Here at ISDIN, we advise that with average use and storage, Most sunscreens should be used up within a year.

Loving your skin means protecting it every day

Over the years, rain or shine, the best way to give your skin the TLC it deserves is to keep it safe. And sunscreen is your skin’s trusty ally along the way. Because happy skin is healthy skin, and healthy skin is beautiful.

Report:
Naidoo, K., Birch-Machin, MA. Oxidative stress and aging: The effect of environmental pollution, sunlight and diet on the skin. In Cosmetics (2017): 4, 4.