Sunscreen: Gift Your Skin a New Protector

Sunscreen Fact sheet

1. An hour of direct sun can cause enough damage that 15 hours of sun would do with an SPF15 sunscreen

2. Sunblocks completely reflect the sun’s light as they are opaque.

3. Sunscreen branded A+, provide special protection against suntan.

4. For oily skin, opt for non-comedogenic sunscreens with SPF greater than 15.

5. Dry skins require a minimum SPF of 30.

Here are some facts about sunscreens and sunblocks that will guide you to a close, if not perfect, sun protection lotion so next time you are out in the sun, skin care is the last thing on your mind.

Sunscreens are pharmaceutical/cosmetic products that have been prepared to protect the skin from sun’s harmful rays. The UVA rays from the sun age and burn the skin that appears in the form of tans and sometimes blisters or rashes.

To prevent this, local application of sunscreen helps avoid the disintegration of collagen which otherwise leads to wrinkles and skin sag.

How is Sunscreen Different From a Sunblock?
• Sunscreens are chemical screens that absorb sun’s rays while sunblocks physically repel and reflect them.

• While sunscreens contain oxybenzone that absorbs ultraviolet light, sunblocks come with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to reflect sun’s rays.

• Sunscreens come with a Sun protection Factor (SPF) that describes the strength of the lotion. For instance, if your sunscreen is 10 SPF, it would mean that with this sunscreen, the effect of 1 hour of sun rays on your skin with equal 15 hours of sun on your skin with the sunscreen on.

Broad Spectrum?
Sun’s rays comprise of both UVA rays (rays that cause Wrinkles and ‘A’ging) and UVB rays (rays that cause ‘B’urns). While most sunscreens provide protection from the UVB rays, only broad spectrum sunscreens protect from UVA rays too.

How to Choose Right SPF?
• The SPF rating must be 30+ or more for sunny days.

• The sunscreen must be a broad spectrum protection containing at least 6 percent titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide and 3 percent Parsol and/or Mexoryl.

• The sunscreen must feel comfortable on the skin and reapplication is necessary almost very two hours as long as you stay out in the sun.

Things to Remember
• Always reapply sunscreen to avoid it from getting washed away or sweat off.

• Apply the sunscreen atleast 30 minutes prior to going out in the sun.

• Opt for sunscreens that are water proof or water resistant, this keeps them clung to skin longer.