What To Look For In Sunscreen.

 

Although one should always wear sunscreen, people don't think about it much until the days get longer and the temperature rises.  I admit, it is hard thinking about wearing sunscreen when it is still in the negative temperatures but I also know how important it is to wear, no matter what.  Since we are almost at the time of year that we spring forward into daylight savings time, I've decided to visit the topic of what one should look for when purchasing sunscreen.

The problem with sunscreens is that not all of them are created equally. You want one that will allow protect you from sunburn, skin cancer, and help slow down early signs of premature aging.  It is fine to have skin that is not tanned. Did you know that one in five people will develop skin cancer in their life time? 

When shopping for sunscreen, look for a SPF of 30 or higher for the best protection. Although you can find sunscreens with SPF's of higher than 50, most organizations state that anything higher than a 50 is not any more effective than a 50.  An SPF of 30 prevents about 97 percent of UVB rays from reaching your skin while one containing an SPF of 50 prevents about one more percent of rays from reaching your skin. In addition, make sure that it is labeled as being broad spectrum.  This means it will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays as both can damage your skin.  It is important to make sure the sunscreen is water resistant so you know it will stay on wet or sweaty skin for a while.  Most water resistant sunscreens stay on either 40 or 80 minutes before it needs to be reapplied.  It should say on the bottle.

Furthermore, it is advised that one use one ounce of sunscreen or the equivalent of a shot glass worth every time you put it on.  This provides the best coverage and it should be reapplied every couple of hours for the best protection. In addition, know whether you are using a mineral or chemical sunscreen.  A mineral sunscreen remains on top of the skin where it filters out the suns rays.  Mineral sunscreens usually contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.  On the other hand, a chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone, avobenzone, or homosalate  are absorbed into the skin where they turn UV rays into heat and reflected off the body.

When you shop for sunscreen, look for one that matches your skin type so that you do not make your oily skin oilier or dry out your skin too much.  Now a days, sun screens are made for a variety of skin types.  In addition, look at whether it is a spray, solid stick, or liquid.  The problem with sprays is you don't know when you've put an ounce of sunscreen on and to get the most effectiveness out of the product, rub it in once you've finished spraying it.

 Having looked at what to look for in a sunscreen, there are some ingredients you should avoid so read the bottles very carefully.  Try to avoid any product with parabens, since they could possibly cause cancer. In addition, try to avoid sunscreens with fragrances, chemicals, or dyes because they might irritate your skin and many people have a sensitivity towards fragrances. 

Finally, even if your makeup has sunscreen, apply a layer of sunscreen on top of it to provide maximum coverage. If you don't like sunscreen per say, think about getting a tinted sunscreen that matches your skin tone so you get the look you want with the best protection.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.