Allowing your skin to be touched by the sun lets you achieve a lovely glow. It also supplies your body with vitamin D necessary for stronger bones and better mood. However, too much sun exposure is a terrible idea. Other than it causes your skin to get damaged and age faster, it also considerably increases your risk of skin cancer!
That is why the application of sunscreen is one of the most important daily regimens you need to carry out in order to safeguard your beauty and health. This product needs to be applied each time you are about to head out. Skincare experts say that it’s never too late to start applying sunscreen to minimize the harmful effects too much sun exposure brings.
When shopping for sunscreen, it’s important to opt for the right product. Otherwise, you will only end up flushing money down the drain as well as placing your beauty and health on the line. Always remember the following:
• There are 2 types of sunscreens available on the current market. First, there’s physical sunscreen that rests on your skin’s topmost layer and works by reflecting the suns harmful UV rays. Physical sunscreen springs into action as soon as you apply it, perfect if you are on the rush. Second, there’s chemical sunscreen which is absorbed by the skin so it needs to be applied several minutes before you step foot outside the home. Chemical sunscreen works by actually absorbing UV rays.
• Most of the time, you have to experiment with different sunscreen types and brands to find one that’s perfect for your particular needs. What works superbly for one consumer may not work as well for another. One very important factor to consider is your skin’s sensitivity to certain ingredients. According to experts, it’s a good idea to opt for sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Both chemicals are excellent at protecting you from the sun’s UV rays while being gentle on your skin.
• Choose a product that guarantees to shield you from UVA and UVB rays. Both UVA and UVB rays come from the sun, although they affect your skin differently. UVA rays have longer wavelengths. They are the ones responsible for excessive skin dryness and accelerated skin aging, leaving you with fine lines, wrinkles and liver spots. On the other hand, UVB rays have shorter wavelengths, and they are the primary cause of sunburn. Do take note that both UVA and UVB rays can put you at risk of skin cancer. This is the reason why you should opt for sunscreen that protects you from both types of UV rays.
• Go for sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. SPF stands for sun protection factor, and it is simply the measurement of how long it can provide protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Each SPF allows you to stay under the sun for 5 minutes. This means that something with an SPF of 15 shields you from the sun for 75 minutes (15 x 5 = 75). If you are planning on staying under the scorching sun longer than that, it’s a good idea to opt for a product with an SPF of 30 or even higher.
Now that you have a better idea when it comes to choosing the right sunscreen for you, it’s time to learn a few sunscreen application tips and tricks to really make the product work to your advantage. Make sure that you:
• Apply the product generously. Never skimp on sunscreen most especially because it is the only cosmetic product on today’s market that can really prevent sun-related skin damage and various skin aging signs from showing up prematurely.
• Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours or so. To date, there is no sunscreen on the planet that can safeguard you from UV rays the whole day with just a single application. Make sure that you read the label to know more about having the product reapplied properly.
