Sunscreen; The New “It” Product
Sunscreen is the most important step in your beauty routine. It is undoubtedly the best anti-aging and anti-spot treatment there is, so wearing it daily is mandatory if your goal is to take care of your skin as much as possible.
Sunscreen is our top choice if we only use one product every day to prevent premature aging. Taking good care of your skin involves more than just washing, hydrating, and using the best makeup at night to restore it. If you neglect to protect your skin, you are not reaping the full benefits of this beauty routine.
The worst enemy of skin is the sun. It causes the appearance of spots (many pigmentary abnormalities are caused by sun exposure and hormone changes), wrinkles, and flaccidity, as well as the loss of skin radiance. It also speeds up the aging process.
Sunscreen: How to use it daily and apply it to get the most out of its benefits
It takes more than just sunscreen to prevent UV damage. In addition to wearing sunscreen every day, skin care regimens should include cleansing the face every day, using antioxidant-rich moisturizers (like vitamins C and E) during the day, and using anti-aging serums and creams (like retinol) at night to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and expression lines. It’s also crucial to wear a cap, a wide-brimmed hat, and appropriate sunglasses to maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water.
We are indeed aware of the effects of UV rays; but in more specific matters, there is still a lot of confusion: how much sunscreen do I apply? How often? High protection, but how much? Here is a guide to everything you need to know:
Glossary:
- UV: ultraviolet radiation is a kind of higher energy visible light. It is divided into two types, A and B.
- UVA: to remind you, you can associate A with ‘Wrinkles’. These are the rays that penetrate deepest into the layers of the skin, breaking down the cell structure and thereby causing wrinkles, pigmentation, or even melanoma.
- UVB: how about B for ‘Brasa’? UVB rays affect the surface layers of the skin causing sunburn and even cancer.
- Broad spectrum: sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
- SPF: Sun Protection Factor. It marks the length of time your skin will be protected. For example, an SPF 15 will allow you to be exposed to the sun 15 times longer than you would burn if you were not wearing any protection.
How much:
You need 2 mg per square centimeter [of skin], which for the surface of the face and neck would be the amount that covers the palm of your hand. It’s important to give your skin enough time to absorb the sunscreen, which means waiting at least 15 minutes before sun exposure after applying it.
How often:
Whenever you are going to spend more than five minutes in direct sunlight, use sunscreen and reapply every two hours. If you have been in the water, and even if the label indicates water resistance, it is best to reapply the product after drying.
Standards according to skin types:
All skin types and skin tones indistinctly need broad spectrum protection, high SPF, and regular reapplication. But if we look in more detail at the different skin types, you should adapt the protection to your own needs. Here are the rules…
For normal to sensitive skin:
Finding the right sun care can be an arduous task when you have sensitive skin. Check labels for added perfumes and, if it has them, immediately return the product to the shelf. Instead, trust a brand that you know specializes in sensitive skin. If you tend to notice increased reactivity around the eye area, try a zinc oxide stick, which is thicker and acts as a physical barrier.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 tanning product effectively protects the skin from premature aging and damage caused by solar radiation. This product helps prevent sunburn, pigmentation spots, decreased suppleness, collagen loss, and other signs of skin aging. It protects against UVA and UVB radiation, and weather effects, evens skin tone, promotes a healthy tan, spreads easily without leaving a greasy film, and does not cause allergic reactions. The product is especially important for thin, sensitive face skin.
The Caudalie Vinosun mineral UV filter product is designed to protect the skin from premature aging and damage caused by solar radiation. It creates a barrier on the skin, providing effective protection against UV radiation. This helps prevent sunburn, pigmentation spots, decreased suppleness, collagen loss, and other signs of skin aging. The product is suitable for both face and body, spreads easily, and does not leave a greasy film. It is essential to not underestimate the importance of protecting thin skin.
For oily skin:
Sunscreens can clog pores and create blackheads, so if you have oily skin, try to steer clear of chemical-based formulas (look for ingredients ending in -ose, -ate and -ene on the label). Instead, try a mineral sunscreen, whose ingredients act as a mirror against the sun’s rays (e.g., zinc oxide or titanium oxide).
Heliocare 360° tanning gel SPF 50 offers a comprehensive range of sun protection, combining chemical, mineral, and phytobiological filters to shield the skin from UVA and UVB radiation, IR-A radiation, and visible light. Its non-greasy gel texture is ideal for acne-prone skin and leaves it smooth and soft. The gel also inhibits free radicals, prevents wrinkle formation, and regulates sebum production. Its light, oil-free texture does not leave a greasy film on the skin. The composition includes SPF 50 and BioShield System for maximum sun protection, Fernblock® FC technology to protect Langerhans cells, green tea, vitamins C and E to prevent skin damage caused by free radicals, and is non-comedogenic, water-resistant, and alcohol-free.
This high-protective gel cream is suitable for normal, oily skin, sensitive to sun, pigmentation spots, and skin alterations, providing luminosity and a uniform, matte finish. Water-resistant.
For blemish-prone skin:
Replace your tinted creams with a tinted sunscreen with high protection and SPF 50. You can also simultaneously use a product with vitamin C (as long as it is below 5% concentration), as it reduces the production of melanin.
Bioderma Photoderm AR is a facial sunscreen designed for sensitive and reactive skin with superposed tendencies. It is specifically formulated to address intense transient redness, permanent redness, and small apparent vessels. The exclusive Rosactiv® patent directly targets VEGF, a key factor in redness, while licorice-derived enoxolone relieves redness.
The Avène Tinted Mineral Fluid SPF 50+ offers high-level protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays while visibly clarifying the complexion. It contains photostable filters and provitamin E to prevent premature skin aging. The formula is designed for sensitive skin types, with Thermal Spring Water as a mineral-rich ingredient for long-lasting hydration. The fragrance-free cream’s golden tint evens skin tone and promotes naturally glowing results.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 ultra-light lotion with SPF 50+ is designed to protect skin from harmful UV rays. It is gentle on sensitive and beamish-prone skin, water-resistant, and non-sticky. Its exclusive patented technologies prevent damage from UVA and UVB rays, ensuring top-quality protection. The lotion is suitable for all skin types and phototypes, including sensitive skin, and can be applied to the eye contour area. It is water, sweat, and sand resistant, making it suitable for use on the face, neck, and décolleté. Tested and recommended by dermatologists.
For very fair and sensitive skin:
Pale and sensitive skin is not the sun’s best friend, and if that’s the case with yours, you’ll already know that sunbathing often ends in rashes. But some products can help. Look for sun creams that contain flavonoid alpha-glucosyl rutin (AGR), a potent antioxidant that has been shown to reduce inflammatory reactions.
Avène Sun Anti-Age anti-wrinkle face cream is a multifunctional sun care product suitable for mature skin. It effectively protects against harmful solar radiation and strengthens collagen production. Its light, non-sticky composition is ideal for those with visible signs of aging skin. This product provides high protection against solar radiation, regenerates and firms the skin, and is water-resistant and non-irritating. Its properties ensure long-lasting skin elasticity.
This non-greasy facial care sunscreen uses Advanced Spectral Technology to provide high sun protection against UVA and UVB rays and HEVL light. It is suitable for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, offering a mattifying effect for 8 hours. It stimulates the skin’s DNA repair mechanism and regulates sebum production. The formula contains Licochalcone A, which neutralizes free radicals from UV/UVB rays, and UVA/UVB filters with a sun protection factor of +50. This sunscreen is particularly beneficial for oily and sensitive skin.
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References:
All pictures: www.pexels.com
- www.aad.org. (2023). Sunscreen FAQs. [online] Available at: https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen#:~:text=Dermatologists%20recommend%20using%20a%20sunscreen.
- Nast, C. (2023). This Just In! You’re Probably Applying Sunscreen Wrong. [online] Vogue. Available at: https://www.vogue.com/article/best-sunscreen-for-face
- Nast, C. (2021). Not All SPFs Are Created Equal — 16 Vogue Editors Share Their Hero Sunscreens. [online] Vogue. Available at: https://www.vogue.com/article/vogue-editors-sunscreen.
- Sweeney, E. (2023). How Many Skin Care Products Do I Really Need? The New York Times. [online] 3 Oct. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/03/well/live/skin-care-routine-products.html
- Dunn, J. (2023). What Dermatologists Wish You Knew About Sun Protection. The New York Times. [online] 18 Aug. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/18/well/live/sunscreen-spf-tips-dermatologist.html
- EWG’s 2019 Guide to Sunscreens (2019). EWG’s 2019 Guide to Safer Sunscreens. [online] Ewg.org. Available at: https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/
- Venosa, A. (2023). How to Choose the Best Sunscreen for Your Skin. [online] The Skin Cancer Foundation. Available at: https://www.skincancer.org/blog/how-to-choose-the-best-sunscreen-for-your-skin/.
- www.aad.org. (n.d.). How to select a sunscreen. [online] Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/how-to-select-sunscreen.
- Mukherjee, T. (2022). Sunscreen Glossary: Decoding Every SPF Term You Need to Know. [online] EverydayHealth.com. Available at: https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-beauty/sunscreen-glossary-decoding-every-spf-term-you-need-know/
