I’m sure we all have heard it again and again: wear sunscreen when you go outside, no matter the weather.
But, like us, you probably don’t slather up every time you go out. We often forget or sometimes we think it’s not even that important.
Is it really worth it?
The answer is yes! Sun blocks are very important in our daily life, it can be in any form like lotion, gel, foam, spray or other tropical product.
Now you all are probably wondering why sunblocks are so important? And what’s the correct way to apply them? And most importantly how can you pick the right one according to your skin type? Well you’re in the right place!
Keep reading to find the solutions to all your queries here!
The question is why sunblocks are the most important part of our skincare?
Did you know that too much sun exposure allows UV rays to reach your inner skin layers? Which we know as sunburn. This cause skin cells to die, damage. All your skin problems like, painful sunburns, photo aging, wrinkles, pigmentation, dark spots, and even some allergic skin reactions are caused by UV rays. UV rays play a role in the development of skin cancer and in the shorter term they are responsible for premature skin aging due to sun exposure. Because UV rays are longer, they penetrate more deeply into the skin and damage cell membranes, changing the skin’s elasticity by breaking down collagen and elastin. Even a tiny bit of exposure can do damage to your cells. You may not notice it now, but the damage is progressing over a lifetime.
You know more than 5 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, so one of the easiest ways to avoid millions of cancer is applying sunblocks.
Now that we all know that we should include sunblocks in our daily skin care ritual, The question is what’s the correct way to wear it?
1-The American Academy of Dermatology recommends choosing a sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher, and it must be water resistant and broad spectrum (it’s effective in protecting from UV rays by blocking them)
2- Use two finger method to know how much sun block is enough for your face.
3- Always apply sun blocks at least 20 minutes before going out because it takes time for your skin to absorb.
4- Always keep your sun blocks with you when stepping out because even water-resistance sun blocks only stay effective for two hours,
So you always need to reapply it after every two hours.
5- Be extra careful around water and sand, because UV rays can reflect off water and sand, this can double the amount of UVB rays that strike your skin.
6- Always remember consistency is the key.
Now you’re probably wondering how can you pick the right one? That is according to your skin type?
Always look for ingredients!
One of these ingredient is a must have in a sunblock; oxybenzone, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
If you have oily skin, you should stick to formulas that are oil free, mattifying and non-greasy. Look for the ones that are labeled “non-comedogenic” because they won’t clog pores and reduce the risks of breakouts.
Also look for the ones with active ingredient like niacinamide, it reduces the production of sebum.
Here are some of our picks:
Kiehl’s Sun Protector SPF 50
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel SPF 50
CeraVe Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Dermalogica SPF 30
If you have dry skin, look for formulas that have hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides, Lactic acid and Glycerin. These ingredients will keep your skin moisturized and hydrated.
Here are some of our picks:
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 100 or SPF 50
Bioderma Photoderm SPF 100
Olay Complete Daily Moisturizer SPF30
Eveline Cosmetics Sun SPF 50 Sun Protection Face Cream
Banana Boat Ultra Protection Sunscreen SPF 50
Author: Maria Sarfraz (@mariaa.sarfraz)
