Pick The Best Sunscreen With 6 Easy Steps To Protect Your Skin
Exposing yourself to the sun can help you to obtain vitamin D., But it doesn’t mean you have to stay in the sun the whole day. Applying sunscreen to your skin is necessary, but do you know how to choose the best sunscreen for your skin?
Sunscreen is one product that you should never skip. Staying out of the sun is the best way to protect your skin, but it will be a horrible way to spend your time under the shade. Many sunscreen products in the market may be ineffective or contain unsafe ingredients. With so many choices, you may be confused about which is exactly the best sunscreen to use.
In this article, we have narrowed down your sunscreen shopping trip. With these 5 simple steps, you should be able to find the best sunscreen to protect your skin.
What Does Sunscreen Do?
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Sunscreen is a skincare product that uses active ingredients to filter ultraviolet (UV) rays before they can penetrate your skin. The ingredients include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, or oxybenzone. UV rays are a form of radiation that can cause damage to the skin, such as sunburns, premature aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rating on sunscreen products measures the effectiveness of the sunscreen in protecting against UV rays, which are responsible for sunburn. The higher the SPF, the more protection the sunscreen provides. Sunscreen usually comes in gels, powders, creams, and sprays. You can apply it directly to your skin.
Using SPF 15 or higher sunscreen daily can reduce the risk of getting skin cancer. Sun’s UV rays can also damage the skin and cause wrinkles, sagging, and dark spots. People who use sunscreen will normally have a lower risk of skin cancer and have younger-looking skin.
Step 1 To Pick The Best Sunscreen - Read The Label
When reading the label, you will find that you can’t pronounce the ingredients on the list. You may not even understand what it is about. So when picking the best sunscreen, look for one that is labeled broad-spectrum and an SPF is at least 30. This will provide adequate protection against UVB and UVA rays.
Read the instructions on how to use and ensure you apply the sunscreen as directed. It is usually recommended to apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
Bear in mind that sunscreen can protect you from sunburn and skin damage, but it doesn’t mean that you should spend more time directly under the sunlight. Sunscreen provides minimum protection. Spending too much time under direct sunlight may expose you more to UV rays.
Step 2 To Pick The Best Sunscreen - Learn The Pros and Cons of Mineral And Chemical Sunscreens
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When it comes to protecting yourself from UV rays, there are a lot of factors besides SPF that will affect the result of protecting yourself. Some will say to choose a mineral sunscreen over a chemical sunscreen, while others may choose a chemical sunscreen.
So what is the difference between mineral sunscreen and chemical sunscreen? Mineral sunscreens contain only zinc oxide or combine with titanium dioxide. They protect your skin by reflecting away UV light and tend to be chalkier. While chemical sunscreens absorb UV light and prevent it from penetrating your skin. But it may irritate you if you have sensitive skin. Mineral sunscreens will be safer for people with sensitive skin.
Both mineral and chemical sunscreens have their pros and cons. Mineral sunscreens offer natural and immediate protection, while chemical sunscreens are lightweight, broad-spectrum, and water-resistant. When choosing a sunscreen, consider your skin type, lifestyle, and environmental concerns to determine which type is best for you.
Step 3 To Pick The Best Sunscreen - Why Broad-Spectrum Matters
Broad-spectrum sunscreens are formulated to protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA can cause wrinkles, dark spots, and premature aging, while UVB rays can cause sunburn and skin cancer. Most of the time, people tend to think that sunscreen only protects them from getting sunburned, but it actually causes an entirely different type of damage.
When UVA rays enter even deeper into your skin, they can cause skin cancer and also signs of aging. UVA rays are present throughout the year, even when the weather is cloudy or through the windows. So it is necessary to apply sunscreen daily.
But you need to take note that not all sunscreens provide broad-spectrum protection. Some only protect your skin against UVB rays. So when shopping for the best sunscreen, be sure to look for a broad-spectrum formula that protects against both UVA and UVB Rays.
Step 4 To Pick The Best Sunscreen - Check If It Is Water Resistant
If you love swimming or sweat a lot, getting a water-resistant sunscreen is a must. It can also be a smart option for daily use. Water-resistant sunscreens are formulated to remain effective for a certain amount of time while swimming or sweating. Regular sunscreens may wash off more easily.
But it is important to note that even water-resistant sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating. Toweling off or rubbing your skin can also remove sunscreen, so it is important to reapply regularly to maintain protection. Many people don’t realize that they’re sweating off their sunscreen, especially when it is humid out; a water-resistant sunscreen gives you the extra protection you need even if you are not in actual water.
No sunscreen is completely waterproof or sweatproof; it will eventually wash off in water or with sweat. So be sure to reapply sunscreen regularly.
Step 5 To Pick The Best Sunscreen - Keep The Vitamin D Factor In Mind.
Vitamin D is important to our overall wellness, whether for bone health, managing depression, or immune function. The body produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, but excessive sun exposure can also increase the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.
Sunscreen can reduce the amount of vitamin D produced by the body as it blocks the skin’s absorption of UVB rays. According to the NIH, you still can get enough vitamin D through other sources, such as fatty fish, egg yolks, and beef liver.
Here are the steps to getting the best sunscreen to protect your sun. You won’t have to avoid the sun totally. You can still protect your skin with proper sun protection.
