Getting a good tan every summer is probably one of the most popular beauty trends. We have all heard and followed the advice of wearing sunscreen while being exposed to the sun. Recent beauty trends and breakthroughs suggest that we should also apply this rule in daily life, no matter if we are at the beach or not. Let’s see what the story behind this new trend is.
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What causes skin aging?
There are many causes behind skin aging and the beauty community has confronted each one of them. We all know that hydration is crucial for a healthy skin. We should drink 2 liters of water per day, stay hydrated, constantly apply moisturizers, and so on. Other beauty advisers say that certain substances like collagen or hyaluronic acid are vital for preventing premature aging. While all of these are true, the main cause of aging that can be easily prevented is exposure to the sun.
UVA and UVB rays are the main enemies of healthy skin. In normal doses, sun rays are vital for vitamin D production but excess exposure can cause premature aging and dark spots. The sun damages the skin cells by causing oxidative stress. This stress later on damages the cell’s DNA causing problems in its process of renewal and reparation. This whole chain of chemical and physical reactions is cumulative and in time cause irreparable damage to your skin. Fortunately, this is where SPF comes into play.
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What is SPF?
SPF or Sun Protection Factor is a chart that measures the effectivness of a sunscreen. This scale is very popular in the beauty community and it helps you choose the best type of sun barrier for your skin. The main factor you should consider when choosing an SPF is your skin pigment. When exposed to the sun, lighter skin tends to burn faster than darker skin. The lowest recommended SPF by dermatologists is 15 andthey advise to never go lower than that if you have light skin.
A second fact to consider is that SPF doesn’t last for the entire day. A proper application of a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will last for around 2 hours. After this time it is advised to reapply sunscreen on clean skin. Be careful to apply a generous amount of sunscreen, even if it may feel excessive at the beginning. Anundersupply will give you just a small amount of the needed protection.
The UVA and UVB protection scale is not linear, however. In regards to UVB rays, SPF 15 blocks around 93%, SPF 30 blocks 97%, while SPF 50 blocks around 98%. This shows that a higher SPF is not necessary to protect your skin.
How to choose the best SPF sunscreen
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When buying a sunscreen you have to consider for what you intend to use it. There are many face creams and lotions that already have an SPF. But if you want to stay in the sun for an extended period of time, we have attached the SPF selection guide to help you out. Your skin complexion is very important and a higherSPF can help protect your skin. In addition, if you are going swimming or know that you will be sweating, go for a waterproof option. Darker skin has a higher percentage of melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color) and is consequently more sun resistant. Regardless, it is still advised to protect your skin when goingout.
Sunscreen can be your greatest ally in the battle against aging and skin cancer. Even though it may be summer or the middle of winter, sunscreen should become a beauty habit. Apply it before moisturizers and make-up and your skin should be safe from damage and aging.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6773941/
