While choosing a sunscreen, keep in mind that most sunscreens have the same basic ingredients. The main difference is in how much protection they offer from different ultraviolet radiation (UV) wavelengths, how long they provide protection for, and how thick or thin the product is.
When you’re outside, your skin is exposed to damaging ultraviolet radiation. It can cause premature aging, wrinkles, sunburns, and even certain types of cancer. Protect yourself by wearing sunscreen every day.
If you want to protect yourself from the sun but don’t know where to begin, this article is for you. It will be your ultimate guide to finding a sunscreen that works for you.
How Does Realy Sunscreen Work?
Sunscreen keeps you from getting a tan by using chemicals and reflective minerals to absorb UV rays.
The physical particles such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide reflect UV radiation from the skin, while the chemical ingredients absorb the sun’s rays and release their energy in the form of heat.
To start with, sunscreen is one of the products that can do wonders to your skin. Read on to find out how you can select the right kind of sunscreen for you.
Way To Choose The Right Sunscreen?
When choosing a sunscreen, keep in mind that you may be allergic to ingredients such as avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octocrylene. Some sunscreens can be dangerous to your health, while others may disrupt your hormones.
1. Consider SPF
The SPF rating on a sunscreen tells you how much protection it will give you from the sun’s UVB rays. A rating of 15 is recommended to protect you from harmful UV exposure.
Most dermatologists, however, recommend using an SPF of 30 or higher because it blocks about 97 percent of UVB rays; SPF 15, by contrast, blocks only 93 percent of UV rays. Protect yourself from the sun by applying sunscreen to all exposed areas of your skin each day. It’s especially important to do this on days when you are likely to spend hours outside.
2. Look For The Active Ingredients
As you do your shopping, scan the sunscreen ingredients. Look for those that contain titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and avobenzone. And don’t forget to check out the active ingredients before putting a product on your skin. The acids retinyl palmitate and retinol have become controversial lately, due to reports that they may accelerate tumor growth.
3. Pick Broad Spectrum SPF
You should use sunscreen with SPF 30 to 50 and broad-spectrum coverage. It is more effective than using a product with a higher SPF number because the protection it offers is adequate. Even though high SPF products are popular in the market, some experts don’t recommend using them because they are expensive and not very effective.
4. Sunscreen Formulation
There are three common types of sunscreen available to the general public. These three types of sunscreen have different benefits and drawbacks, but they can all provide sun protection if used correctly:
Sunscreen Sprays
These applicators can be a lovely, simple way of getting sunscreen on those hard-to-reach places. They might be really useful for anyone with lots of body hair, as you can spray the cream from quite a distance. However, make sure you don’t accidentally breathe in the spray when you are using it!
Sunscreen Lotions
These are the most common, moisturizing sunscreen formulations. They come in various forms to suit a variety of skin types.
Sunscreen Sticks
The following are some ways of cleansing your face with homemade products. Applying them to your skin and rubbing them in helps draw dirt out of pores, while these products’ portability makes them ideal for travel. Leakage is unlikely, so you can use them on the go.
Please note that all sunscreens have a shelf life of three years. Store them in a cool, dry place for best results.
5. Consider Your Level Of Sun Exposure
When it comes to choosing sunscreen, it’s important to consider how long you plan to be outside, what activities you’ll be doing, and how strong the sun is. For example, if you’re planning on being in the sun for most of the day and the sun is very strong, you should consider a stronger SPF.
It is important to protect yourself from the sun’s harsh rays when you are outdoors. The strength of the sun is measured on the Ultraviolet (UV) Index, which ranges from 1 (low) to 11+ (extreme). These UV rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and when the UV Index is at 8 or above, our unprotected skin can burn in 15 minutes or less. Based on how long you plan to be outside, as well as your level of skin sensitivity, you should use one of the following types of sunscreen.
Outdoors
If you’ll be out in the sun for a couple of hours or more, it’s best to use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, depending on your skin color.
Sports/swimming
When out in the sun, you should protect yourself by wearing sunscreen. Choose a sweat-resistant or water-resistant brand with SPF 30 or higher, depending on your skin color, and reapply every 40 to 60 minutes.
Every day
On days when you’ll be in the sun and shade, wear a sunscreen with at least SPF 15.
In addition to applying sunscreen that works for your skin type, there are a few other steps you can take to protect your skin from sun damage. Here are a few.
Protect Your Skin From The Sun Other Ways
1. Limit Your Exposure To The Sun
When you go out, try to find shade somewhere—a tree, the wall of a building, or even just a cloud passing in front of the sun.
2. Cover Up
Dress in loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your skin from the sun. Protect your eyes with sunglasses that block harmful UV rays.
3. Carry An Umbrella
When you are out in the sun, it is a good idea to carry an umbrella to protect yourself from harm.
Here are a few more tips on how to maximize the benefits of sunscreen.
Sunscreen Usage Tips
- Since we can get sunburned any time of year, it’s a good idea to always wear sunscreen.
- When you’re at the beach, be sure to apply sunscreen – about two tablespoons for body exposed to the sun and an even spray of sunscreen over the rest of your body. It’s also a good idea to include a hat in your beach supplies since the sun can really damage your scalp and hairline.
- Protect yourself from the sun by applying sunscreen to all exposed parts of your body, including your face, hands, feet, ears, neck, and top of the head.
- To protect your skin from sun exposure, apply a base coat of sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or 30 to all parts of your skin that will be exposed at least half an hour before going outside. Reapply the sunscreen every two hours.
- Apply sunscreen again if you’ve been sweating, swimming, or toweling off a lot. Always follow the label guidelines for reapplication.
To find a sunscreen that works for you, consider your skin type. In the next section, we will discuss sunscreens designed for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Which Sunscreen Is Best For Sensitive Or Acne-Prone Skin?
1. Acne-Prone Skin
If you use sunscreen on your face, you should look for non-comedogenic formulas (such as those with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), as some ingredients in sunscreens can clog pores.
For dry skin, use moisturizers with sunscreen or sunscreens containing hydrating ingredients.
2. Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin that is exposed to the least amount of ingredients that may otherwise cause an adverse reaction will maintain its vitality. Wear sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
These two key ingredients are inert, sitting on top of your skin and forming a barrier to protect you from the sun. They should not sting or burn your eyes and will have no ill side effects.
3. Skin Color
If you are fair-skinned and burn easily, you should wear SPF 30 or higher. If you are medium to dark-skinned or tan easily, you can get by with SPF 15.
Choosing the right kind of sun protection is a crucial part of taking care of your skin. Sun exposure can lead to a whole host of skin problems, including wrinkles, sun damage, sunburn, and even skin cancer. Applying high-quality sunscreen every day is one of the best ways to protect your skin from these issues.
To make an informed decision about which sunscreen is best for you, it’s important to consider several factors, including your skin type, any allergies you may have, how much sun exposure you get each day, the SPF rating of the sunscreen you’re considering using, how the sunscreen is formulated and packaged, and the ingredients contained within. Following these guidelines may help you find a sunscreen that works well for your needs.
