If so, it’s essential to wear sunscreen regularly. Unfortunately, some people only wear sunscreen when they know they will be outside all day, but it’s necessary to wear sunscreen every day, rain or shine.
UV rays are outside whenever the sun is up, so you must protect your skin by wearing sunscreen daily.
When you go to the store, you will quickly realize that plenty of sunscreen options are available. So how do you make the right choice to meet your needs? In addition, you might be wondering how to choose a safe sunscreen or a good sunscreen for your face. Learn more below, and make sure that you protect your skin accordingly.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO WEAR SUNSCREEN?
As you learn how to choose sunscreen, you might wonder why it’s necessary to wear it daily.
There are several reasons why it is so vital for you to wear sunscreen regularly.
- It prevents your skin from getting sunburned. However, sunburns can be incredibly painful, making it difficult to shower, sleep, or sit comfortably. To avoid sunburn, wear sunscreen regularly, especially when UV is high.
- Sunscreen can reduce your chances of developing skin cancer down the road. However, even though it is unlikely that you will develop skin cancer immediately after sunburn, repeated burns can increase your chances of getting skin cancer later on.
- Sunscreen will help with aging. However, if you spend a lot of time in the sun, particularly if you get a lot of sunburns, you could cause your overall skin health to deteriorate.
HOW DOES SUNSCREEN WORK?
As you try to figure out how to choose a safe sunscreen, you might be wondering, how does sunscreen work? Sunscreen works by preventing UVB and UVA rays from striking your skin, which could lead to severe damage. These ultraviolet rays, which have a tremendous amount of energy, damage your skin.
If you do not wear sunscreen, these rays will strike your skin directly. The tremendous punch that they pack will cause DNA damage and inflammation. Combining the two can lead to sunburn, and repeated damage can eventually lead to skin cancer. Sunscreen absorbs or reflects these UV rays, preventing them from damaging your skin.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUNSCREEN?
If you are wondering how to choose good sunscreen for your face, you must learn about the available options. There are several choices for sunscreen, and you must ensure you pick the right one for your needs. The two types of sunscreen are chemical and mineral, and there are several differences you need to keep in mind when deciding between the two.
Chemical sunscreen
One of the most common options for sunscreen is chemical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreen is absorbed directly into the skin and acts like a sponge. It sits in the deeper layers of your skin, absorbs rays from the sun, converts those rays into heat, and then releases them away from the skin. That way, you don’t have to worry about UV rays damaging your skin.
One of the most significant benefits of using strong chemical sunscreen is that it does not take much to provide significant protection. This means that it might not take you as long to put on sunscreen, and you don’t necessarily have to refill your sunscreen supply as often. Chemical sunscreens are also typically lighter and won’t leave a white cast on your skin. They’re also more water-resistant.
However, there are a few drawbacks to note as well. Because chemical sunscreen sits in the deeper layers of the skin, it may not necessarily provide strong protection against all UV rays, such as those that concentrate on the surface. Furthermore, chemical sunscreen can also irritate people with sensitive or acne-prone skin. Some forms of chemical sunscreen also contain ingredients that could be dangerous for some people, so it’s essential to always read the ingredients before selecting a sunscreen to use.
Mineral sunscreen
Another option for sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen. Mineral sunscreen creates a literal barrier between your skin and the sun. Mineral sunscreen sits on top of your skin, acting as a blocker that will scatter UV rays away from your skin. Essentially, mineral sunscreen is like a mirror.
Because mineral sunscreen sits on top of your skin, it protects against UVA and UVB rays. This means that mineral sunscreen does a better job of blocking out all potential skin damage. It’s also better for sensitive and acne-prone skin because the ingredients are non-irritating.
While mineral sunscreen is very effective, there are also a few drawbacks. For example, mineral sunscreen has a white appearance on the skin, so even after applying it, it can still be visible. Furthermore, when someone rubs or scratches the skin, they run the risk of wiping away the sunscreen, which can leave them vulnerable to a burn.
Finally, it also wears off more quickly, so more mineral sunscreen has to be reapplied more often.
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT SUNSCREEN?
So, how do you choose the right sunscreen? Plenty of options are available, but choosing a sunscreen that is right for your skin type and will provide you with the protection you are looking for is important. In addition, you should meet several requirements if you want your sunscreen to be as effective as possible.
These are qualities that make up a good sunscreen:
Has an SPF of at least 30
You should find a sunscreen with a very high sun protection factor, usually shortened to SPF. Ideally, you should select a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. The higher the SPF number, the more effective it should protect your skin for a long time.
Is broad spectrum
You should also find sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. This is called broad-spectrum sunscreen. Some sunscreen options only protect against UVA or UVB rays, but that might leave your skin vulnerable to still suffering a severe burn. Look at the container and ensure it provides protection against both categories of rays before you make a final decision.
Contains active ingredients
You should also find a sunscreen that contains active ingredients. You need to locate active ingredients because they will provide the best protection level. Specifically, some ingredients you should look for include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Is water-resistant
Of course, you should also find water-resistant sunscreen, especially if you’re spending the day swimming. But even if you don’t plan on r jumping in a pool, you will probably still do plenty of sweating, so you must ensure your sunscreen is water-resistant.
THE RIGHT SUNSCREEN ALSO DEPENDS ON YOUR SKIN TYPE
You should also find a sunscreen that is compatible with your skin type. For example, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to choose a sunscreen that doesn’t have any potential irritating or inflammatory agents. Specifically, chemical sunscreen might not be a good choice because it often contains irritating ingredients.
Or, if you have oily skin prone to acne, you may want to stay away from a sunscreen with a lot of oil in it. That way, you can prevent your skin from breaking out.
If you’re unsure which sunscreen suits your skin type, do not hesitate to contact our office.
SkinRenew has many sunscreen options for any skin type.
HOW ELSE CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN?
There are plenty of other ways to protect your skin from the sun besides wearing sunscreen every day. A few of these options include:
- Wearing long clothing when you go outside. Even though it might make you hot, wearing long can provide extra protection against the sun.
- Wearing a hat when you go outside. A hat can help you protect your face and neck from the sun.
- Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun as well. Protecting your eyes against UV rays may reduce your chances of developing cataracts.
- Avoiding going outside during the middle of the day. Stay indoors because the sun is most intense from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., so stay indoors.
If you follow these tips, you can protect your skin and your entire body from the sun.
TAKE THE RIGHT PRECAUTIONS WHEN YOU GO OUT IN THE SUN
You must take the right precautions when you go outside. Even though it may be nice to spend some time in the sun, you must make sure that you protect yourself accordingly. That means investing in high-quality, safe, reliable sun protection products. If you are looking for the best sunscreen in the industry, you should look closer at Colorescience.
SkinRenew has plenty of options, and we can provide personalized recommendations for what sunscreen is best for your needs.
Wearing sunscreen regularly reduces wrinkles, keeps hyperpigmentation away, and reduces your chances of dealing with sunburn or developing skin cancer later in life.
Call our office to learn more. PH: 209.526.2200 – TX: 209.312.7880
