How to Choose the Right Sunscreen

Protecting your skin against UV radiations from the sun is always the most important part of skin care. The most effective way to do so is to use sunscreen. The article gives out some tips that you may find useful when choosing a sunscreen for your skin type.

 

Look at the label

Before you choose a sunscreen, look at the label. It shows the ingredients and general, also specific, functions.

Broad-spectrum

UV radiations (including UVA and UVB), can harm your skin, leading to wrinkles and dryness, even skin cancer. Most sunscreen can protect your skin from UVB, but only the products that passed a special test can achieve the label “broad-spectrum”. In other words, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum sunscreen can deter both UV radiations. Generally, these products contain benzophenones, salicylates, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide.  

 

SPF 30 or higher

Your skin normally burns in 10 minutes exposed to the fierce sun, thus you need to apply the sunscreen with a certain SPF number. The SPF number shows how effective the sunscreen protects your skin from UVB rays. SPF 15 can only help avoid sunburn, but not for skin cancer or skin aging. Sunscreen with SPF 15 can prevent 93% UVB rays, 97% for SPF 30, 98% for SPF 50, and 99% for SPF 100. The different is not significant.

 

Water resistant

Water resistant means that the sunscreen lasts for a fairly long time (an average 40-80 minutes) even when you swim or sweat. You should reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and even more when you exercise or play in the water.

 

Let your skin choose its friend

For children

Babies and children skins are sensitive, they are more likely to be irritated by the ingredients in adult’s sunscreen. Products for children are specially labeled. If you see para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), or benzophenones in the sunscreen ingredients, you should not choose that product for your children. Sunscreens for children contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Your children also may like colorful packages, which could be a thing to consider.

 

For skin problems or allergies

If you have skin problems such as acne, rosacea, or allergies, you may benefit from children’s sunscreen. You should also avoid sunscreens that contain para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), benzophenones, or alcohol. These chemicals can irritate your skin. Go for titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as they are less likely to react with your skin.

If your skin is acne-prone, you should not use cream forms of sunscreen. This can result in breakouts.

 

For dry skin

Dry skin can benefit from sunscreens that contain moisturizer. Moisturizing sunscreens may include oils or dimethicone in forms of creams, lotions.

 

For darker skin

Most people with dark skin tone think that sunscreen cannot make a change to their skin, thus refuse to use it. However, everyone can get sunburn and sun damage. If you find that physical sunscreen makes your skin look chalky, choose chemical ones. You can try out some kinds at stores to find out the sunscreen that can blend your skin.

 

For older people

Everyone at any age should use sunscreen since they can all get sun damage. Excess sun exposure can increase wrinkles, fine lines, age spots on your skin, making it look older and less healthy. Older people may find sunscreens in form of spray are more helpful and easy to use.

Choosing the right sunscreen is not easy. Get to know your skin type, your needs, and read the label carefully before making any decision.