Sunscreens: Protect Your Skin

What does sunscreen do for your skin?

Sunscreen is a popular choice for protection against ultraviolet radiation and is the easiest way to protect the beauty and health of your skin at any age. They help prevent sunburn and premature aging (e.g. wrinkles, sagging skin). Sunscreen also helps reduce the risk of skin cancer and skin reactions like sunburn caused by certain medications. Using sunscreen doesn't mean you can stay in the sun indefinitely. Damage to your skin cells can still happen. There are different types of sunscreens available in many forms like cream, lotion, gel, stick, spray, lip balm etc.

How to apply Sunscreen:

People do not put sunscreen on enough or correctly even when they put on sunscreen. This deflects the positive effects it could have on skin. Follow these guidelines:

• Sunscreens or sunblock cream should be applied to uncovered patches of skin that clothing will not cover.

• Minimum of an ounce, compensating to fill a shot glass, should be poured over body areas even if the normal body would require an ounce to cover the whole body. You may have to increase or reduce the amount of sunscreen according to the size and hairiness of your body.

• Apply it to dry skin, preferably 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors, to allow it to absorb.

• Reapply sunscreen now and then, about every 2 hours, plus after swimming or sweating.

• Put sunlight protection on your lips with a lip balm or lipstick containing with SPF of 30 or higher. 

Remember, too, that children need protection from the sun. Sunscreens should be used already for those six months old and above. Babies under six months are generally approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics for use of sunscreen should the conditions of adequate clothing and shade have been lacking. Try to reduce the exposure of infants to sun and not directly to sunlight. Use lightweight clothing that covers the most surface areas of skin. A small amount of sunscreen may also be administered for exposed areas like the baby's face and back of hands.

Types of sunscreen:

• Mineral & physical sunscreen: Commonly known as mineral sunscreen, they sit atop the outermost layer of skin and act as a physical barrier by bending the sun's rays away as tiny mirrors. Modern ones use minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to build a protective barrier that stops harmful radiation. Because the physical ones block sun rays from entering directly at surface level, thus, they are able to offer maximum protection from UVA and UVB rays. This type of sunscreen should be applied 15-20 minutes before sun exposure.

• Chemical sunscreen: Chemical sunscreens sink deep into the dermis of the skin. These consist of chemical components like avobenzone, octocrylene, or octinoxate, which absorb radiation and radiate it in the form of heat dissipated through the skin. These resemble suns along with being easily located, proving hot-selling. However, care has to be taken while their use to the level that they are put on very thin and regularly to ensure they work best. They also make for great water-resistant sunscreens since they sink rapidly into your skin. 

How to choose sunscreen for different skin types?

Sunscreen for oily skin

Those with oily skin type tend to have overactive sebaceous glands which then produce excessive oils on the skin surface, rendering it sticky also shiny. Thereby, when talking about sunscreens, only water-based sunscreens and not oil-based creams are ideal for oily skin.

Sunscreen for dry skin

Opt for sunscreens with added hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramide to protect your skin from sunburn and keep it moisturized. The best sunscreen moisturizer leaves your skin feeling nourished and residue-free and lasts longer on the skin.

Sunscreen for combination skin

People with combination skin (an oily T-zone and dry cheeks) will benefit from a light, gel-based sunscreen that also hydrates dry patches on the cheeks.

Sunscreen for normal skin

People with normal skin can use any good sunscreen with minerals.

Sunscreen for sensitive skin

Those with sensitive skin heat up when they come in contact with chemicals-so the solution is to pick a mineral type of sunscreen.

Advice on choosing the right sunscreen

Sunscreen can protect against deadly sunburn-induced infections and lower the risk of burning because it either absorbs or scatters sun's radiation. Good sunscreen selection investment is important in skin protection. Choose a sunscreen that provides:

• Broad-spectrum protection - such as UVA and UVB protection

• An SPF of 30 or more

• Resistant to water or waterproof-this means effectiveness in the water or while sweating; each sunscreen will state that its sunblock will work for 40 or 80 minutes
  

This should be the best form of sunscreen. The type or brand is a matter of personal choice. Sunscreen comes in lotions, creams, gels, ointments, wax sticks, and sprays. Know that every sunscreen has a different active ingredient. Avoid these if you have a very sensitive skin type.

UVA/UVB protection in SPF skincare products

A broad spectrum SPF is needed on every front because different types of sun ray-UV rays-threaten every different type of ray. UVB is the most well-known and commonly-taken-care-of ray in terms of damage via SPF products. Mostly, in fact, these rays hit human beings during warmer months and brighter parts of a day. It has been said that UVA rays are not that dangerous. They are there even in winter because of clear sunlight. Mosquito repellants are used during the day. Something can penetrate the glass. These penetrate through glass and clouds to degrade collagen and elastin found in our skin, which supposedly makes wrinkles. It is also said to be responsible for various kinds of skin cancers. Thus, the SPF is as needed as always.

What common ingredients in sunscreens should you avoid?

While you might buy a sunscreen spray or a lotion, let your sunscreen only have good things for the skin and avoid these:

• Oxybenzone or Octinoxate: These chemicals, which are sadly very common in sunscreens, are quite worrisome. Some sources note that the two may be concerned with hormone disruption, not only for animals but also as elements causing coral bleaching.

• Retinyl Palmitate: This form of vitamin A used in sunscreens may be capable of raising the risk of skin cancer from its dermal application.

• PABA: This active ingredient, which used to be very common in sunscreen, is linked to hormone disruption and an increased risk of cancer.

• Benzene: This is colorless, flammable, and liquid and is a byproduct of either petrolatum or certain compounds in spray propellant. It is well documented carcinogen environmental hazard. So that you can prevent this common ingredient from sunscreen, one has to look for a non-aerosol spray.

• Parabens: Preservatives are parabens that can also irritate or cause allergic reactions in your skin, especially if you have preexisting skin conditions. 

• Phthalates: This is an active ingredient of chemicals used as solvents and stabilizers in different formulas. They are also "endocrine disruptors" and have been related to other health hazards, including cancer. 

• Synthetic fragrance: This is manufactured to mimic a natural fragrance; it is, therefore, chemical compounds. Some of these are petroleum based, which may have irritating effects on sensitive skin.