Are you confused by all the sunscreen options? With so many brands of sunscreen available in the market, selecting the right one must be difficult. This post may help you to make the proper selection.
What are Sunscreens?
Sunscreens are products combining several ingredients that help prevent the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the skin. And SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is the measure of a sunscreen's ability to prevent UV from damaging the skin. There are two types of UV radiations UVA and UVB that causes sunburn, damages skin, and can contribute to skin cancer.
What is UVA and UVB?
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is part of the electromagnetic (light) spectrum that reaches the earth from the sun. It has wavelengths shorter than visible light, making it invisible to the naked eye. Ultraviolet A (UVA) is the longer wave UV ray that causes lasting skin damage, skinage, and can cause skin cancer. Ultraviolet B (UVB) is the shorter wave UV ray that causes sunburns, skin damage, and can cause skin cancer. There’s also a third type of ray, UVC - these are the shortest and strongest, but thankfully they’re absorbed by the ozone layer and don’t typically reach the Earth.
What is SPF?
SPF stands for
Sun Protection Factor and shows to what degree a product prevents sunburn. Since sunburn is caused by UVB radiation, SPF rating give no indication of how well a product will protect you from UVA radiation (responsible for skin aging and skin cancer). As sunburn is caused by UVB radiation SPF is only a measure of how much UVB is blocked. For protection against both UVA and UVB rays you will need a 'broad spectrum' product. An SPF indicates the ability of a sun protection product to filter out UVB rays. An SPF of 15 will filter out approximately 93% of UVB rays and an SPF of 30 will filter out around 96%. When choosing an SPF rating, keep in mind that doubling the SPF value doesn't mean you get double the protection. SPF 15 will block the majority of UVB rays, SPF will block more, and anything over SPF 30 doesn't really protect you much more than an SPF 30 product. An SPF of 15-30 is seen as the recommended by most health experts.
"sunscreen" vs "sunblock"
While many people use "sunscreen" and "sunblock" interchangeably, there's a difference. Sunscreen contains chemicals that absorb UV rays before they damage the skin. Sunblock contains particles that act as a physical wall against UV rays. While sunscreen must be applied 15 minutes prior to sun exposure, sunblock begins working immediately. Dermatologists say experiment with what works best with your skin and plan accordingly.
What is good about the sun?
Talked a lot of disadvantages of sunlight, Don't be afraid there must be some good also. The light from the sun has a strong effect on mood and we know that people feel better when the sun shines. In particular, those suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder show an improvement in the summer months.
Sunlight also acts on the skin to produce vitamin D, which is essential for good health, (especially for female) in particular to maintain health bones.
How much SPF is best to my skin?
The susceptibility of an individual to skin damage from the sun depends to a great extent on their skin type. Skin typing is simply a basic way to categories the sensitivity of the skin to the sun.
Identifying your skin type will help you to decide on the level of protection necessary during sun exposure - for example, skin type I requires very high protection since the body’s inherent protection is very low and the skin is readily burnt by small amounts of UV rays.
Sunscreens should never be used in order to stay in the sun for longer.
I'm showing some more charts that will help you to decide.
Basically the more lighter your skin tone is the more SPF you need.
So how much SPF you need is solved now selecting the right sun protection according to your skin type is another problem. Hence I can suggest but it completely depends on your skins reaction or you can say trail n error method you have to follow...
For normal to Dry skin- Dry skin suppose to feel tight n flaky especially after washing face and throughout the day and this is because lac of water & natural oil in your skin. So you need more moisture and hydrating ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Glycerin etc. Go for creamy products that hydrates enough or formulas that are loaded with emollients like plant oils and fatty acid.
Sunscreen for Normal to Dry Skin -
- Lotus herbal Safe Sun Sun Block Cream (SPF 20)
- Lacto Calamine Sun Shield (SPF 30) (Dry to normal skin)
- Kaya Daily Moisturizing Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
- The Body Shop Moisture White Shiso UV Protection Cream (SPF 30)
- Avene Very High Protection Cream for dry sensitive skin SPF50+
For normal to Combination skin- You can try almost every type of sunscreens but keep in mind that
find something that won't cause acne. I think lotions are good for you and in winters go for hydrating products.
Sunscreen for Normal to Combination Skin -
- Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunblock spf30
- Nivea Moisturizing Sun Lotion SPF 50
- Lotus 3 in 1 Matte Lock Daily Sunblock SPF 40
- Proactive Daily Protection plus Sunscreen SPF 30
- VLCC Sweat free sunblock lotion
- VLCC Matte Look Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 with Pineapple Extracts
- Aroma Magic Aloe Vera Sun Screen Gel SPF20
For Normal to Oily skin- Sunscreens that won’t cause breakouts can be hard to find yet using it, is important for all the reasons mentioned above.You want something that doesn’t clog your pores, won’t irritate your skin or cause breakouts. I think Gel base sun protections are best for oily or acne prone skin at least from my own experience. But again it completely depends on the reaction of your skin. Look for lightweight sunscreens (sheer or fluid lotions) that dry down to a matte finish.
Sunscreen for Normal to Oily/Acne prone Skin -
- Lotus Herbals Safe Sun 3-in-1 Matte Look Daily Sun Block SPF 40
- Lotus Herbals Safe Sun Sunscreen Gel SPF-20
- Nivea for Men Advanced Whitening Dark Spot Reduction Moisturiser SPF 30
- Kaya Skin Clinic Daily Use Sunscreen with SPF 15
- LA ROCHE-POSAY Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50
- Lacto Calamine Sun Shield - Oily To Normal Skin - Spf 30
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 50+
I personally like to use a sun protection with SPF 20-30. My skin is sensitive to sunscreens so I use them only when I go outside. I feel burning with high SPF containing products.
I'm using Dermabrite Fortifying Sun Care SPF30 and it is very gentle to my skin.
Love Tee...
XoXo
