Sunscreen is an essential tool to protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun. It will protect your skin's health and its appearance at any age. The ultraviolet rays of the sun are believed to cause DNA changes to the skin that may lead to premature ageing of the skin and even skin cancer. That’s why sunscreens are a must in every routine. 

Why use sunscreen?

Sunscreen, as mentioned, helps you prevent the premature ageing of the skin, and even sunburn when you are out in the scorching heat. However, one should also apply sunscreen even if they are out on a cloudy day since ultraviolet rays can penetrate light cloud covers.

Not applying sunscreen can also put you at risk of skin cancer. Though people with melanin in their skin (such as African and Indian) are less likely to get skin cancer, they are still at risk.

Not only that, but exposure to the sun can also give you dark spots and hyperpigmentation, making some of the areas of your face appear darker than others.

How to apply sunscreen?

The application of sunscreen is another highly-debated topic. One of the most effective ways to apply sunscreen is by putting dots of the sunscreen on the face and then spreading it evenly on the face.

The sunscreen should be applied after your morning routine and after you are done with cleaning, toning, and moisturising. If you are using a chemical exfoliator, sunscreen must be applied over it, as most chemical exfoliators are photosensitive, and they make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

If you work outdoors under the sun and sweat a lot, it must be applied every two-three hours.

With chemical sunscreens, wait for 15-20 minutes before stepping out after application, as they take some time to get absorbed in your skin.

Understand the SPF

SPF stands for sun protection factor. It is a measure of how much solar energy is required to produce sunburn on the skin that is protected by sunscreen. 

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreens with at least SPF 30. SPF 30 is known to block 97% of the UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks 98%, the difference may look like only 1%, but since there may be errors in the application of the sunscreen or the amount used by the person, it is better to go for higher SPF.

There is a misconception that the SPF is related to time. Many people believe that SPF 15 would mean that they would be able to stay in the sun 15 minutes longer with SPF 15, than they would have, without getting sunburnt.

This, of course, is not true, as it depends highly on your location, the time of the day, and the type of your skin.

UVA vs UVB

More than looking forward to higher SPF, it is important to look for sunscreens that are ‘broad spectrum’. Broad-spectrum sunscreens offer protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

These are the types of ultraviolet lights, where UVA is responsible for skin ageing and wrinkles, whereas UVB is responsible for sunburn. However, both types can cause skin cancer.

Decide based on your skin type

Your sunscreen needs may differ based on your skin type. For dry skin, the best route would be to go for sunscreens with hydrating agents and ceramides. On the other hand, people with oily skin should go for chemical sunscreens with zinc oxide. People who have sensitive skin should look for ingredients like titanium dioxide, zinc, and vitamin C.

Things to avoid while buying a sunscreen

When checking out the sunscreens, you should know what to look for and what to avoid. While you should always go for a sunscreen with SPF 30 or SPF 50, and ‘broad spectrum’, here are some ingredients to avoid: Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, Homosalate, and Dioxybenzone. These substances can make you prone to acne, irritate your skin, and even release harmful radicals in the body.

* Disclaimer: This is not a medical advice, always consult your dermatologist before making changes to your skincare routine.

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