Did you know that the sun is one of the leading causes of skin cancer and prematurely ages the skin? So it’s essential to use sunscreen every day, rain or shine. You need to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays that can cause damage to your skin. Here are five sunscreen tips that will help you choose the right sunscreen and correctly use sunscreens.
Tip #1: Use at least SPF 30 every day
SPF stands for sun protection factor, and dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with at least SPF 30. SPF 30 will block 97% of UVB rays. UVB rays are the leading cause of sunburns and skin damage, while UVA rays increase your chance of skin cancer and cause your skin to age prematurely. However, most dermatologists recommend using sunscreens with at least SPF 30. In addition, we recommend that you use sunscreens with SPF 50 every day. SPF 50 will block 98% of UVB rays.
Tip #2: Reapply every 2 hours
Reapplication of sunscreen is necessary, and it’s best to reapply after 2 hours. Sunscreen doesn’t last on your face or body all day, and you need to reapply your sunscreen to get complete protection from the sun. You would need to reapply your sunscreen more often, such as when you’re swimming or sweating. It can be tricky to reapply sunscreen, and we found that it’s best to use sun sticks or sunscreen powders!
Tip #3: Apply your chemical sunscreen 15 min before going out
If you’re using chemical sunscreen, you need to apply it 15-30 minutes before going out. This is because chemical sunscreens take some time for the skin to absorb the sunscreen. If you use your sunscreen right before you go out or contact the sun, you’re exposing your skin to harmful UV rays since the sunscreen hasn’t gotten the chance to settle into your skin.
Tip #4: Pick the right sunscreen for you – chemical or physical sunscreen
Choosing between chemical or physical sunscreens can be difficult. Both types of sunscreens have pros and cons. Chemical sunscreens absorb in the skin, absorb UV rays, convert them into heat, and release them from the body. However, physical sunscreens sit on top of the skin and reflect and absorb UV rays.
Chemical sunscreens are great if you’re more active and want a sunscreen that will absorb into the skin. It usually comes in a lightweight formula and quickly spreads into the skin. Some cons of chemical sunscreens are that it takes around 20 minutes to be effective, there could be potential free radical damage from long-term use, and some of the ingredients might cause allergic reactions.
Physical sunscreens are usually less irritating and work well with all skin types, including sensitive skin. Since it sits on top of the skin, it’s considered to be safer to use on babies and for women who are pregnant. The best thing about physical sunscreens is that the protection happens right away! There’s no need to wait for it to be absorbed into the skin. However, there are some cons to using physical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens have a heavy and thicker consistency than chemical sunscreens and can be challenging to blend into the skin. It’s usually unsuitable for oily or acne-prone skin types and can wear off quickly, which means frequent reapplication.
Tip #5: Apply enough sunscreen
You need to apply enough sunscreen to protect your skin. You can’t apply a small amount of sunscreen to your face and expect it to protect your skin from the UV rays. A best practice is to use 1 ounce of sunscreen to cover your entire body. Another great trick is to use your fingers. Apply two finger lengths of sunscreen to your face and apply three finger lengths to your face, neck, and décolleté.