In the time when the heat arrives and summer appears, most people worry about taking care of their skin by using a good sunscreen. Although it is necessary to use facial protection throughout the year, it is during these months that it becomes essential to buy a product that also protects your body.
Since radiation is higher during the summer months and exposure is greater due to vacations, the beach, rivers, and pools, protecting yourself from the aggression of UVA, UVB, and IR-A rays is essential.
But not all sunscreens are the same. You can purchase different products with a level that will allow you to sunbathe for different periods of time. For this reason, we’ll tell you everything about sunscreens, what types there are, and what characteristics they must have to protect you completely. And the first thing is the degree of protection.
Contents
Sun Protection Factor or SPF
Indicates the time a person can be exposed to the sun’s radiation without damaging their skin. This number goes from lower to higher, and above an SPF 50, it is considered a very high or almost total level of sun protection.
From SPF 50 to 100, the difference is minimal. There is only a 2 or 3% increase in effectiveness.
The way the protection factor works is simple, though calculating the SPF you need is a bit strange. The easiest way is to keep in mind that with a facial sunscreen with SPF 15, or a body sunscreen, you can be exposed to the sun for less time than with an SPF 30. The risk of burning with the first one is much higher. After the first 24 hours, you’ll notice if you’ve really overdone it without clothing.
So, the lower the number… the lower the protection. If you increase the number, you can be exposed to the sun’s direct rays for a longer time without getting skin burns.
That said, don’t just trust that it’s labeled as SPF +50 and forget about the others. No, that’s not how sunscreens work. A high number means you can be out longer, but normally, you need to reapply every 1 or 2 hours. This prevents the sunscreen and its components from breaking down. If you use a high-grade sunscreen, you ensure less radiation exposure. That’s it. Repeating the process and not overdoing it is the same for all.
Calculating SPF
The method to calculate the protection factor can seem a bit strange. You have to calculate the time you can spend in the sun without burning, so it’s not very logical to do the test. This calculation is done by sunscreen brands with volunteers who undergo viability tests.
It would be something like this:
This would give you approximately the number or level of sunscreen you should buy.
In practice, you’re not going to expose yourself to the sun and make calculations. We all know if we burn a lot or a little. Plus, obviously, you know whether your skin is dark or light.
But it’s not all about SPF.
As we mentioned, besides this, you must take your skin type into account.
Skin Type
You probably know that not everyone can handle the sun equally without getting burned. Just like with aging, humans differ in how they absorb solar radiation. The skin is different for various reasons, and this makes it react differently to the sun’s rays.
We could define skin type as the ability of the skin to absorb solar radiation without suffering damage.
And this, dermatologists have categorized with a level from 1 to 6. So, here we will tell you the levels of dermatological skin types that identify people’s skin and are very important when it comes to choosing the best sunscreen for you.
Today, there are 6 skin types:
Skin Type 1: very light skin with very little color. It is common that when you sunbathe, you burn easily. Also, it’s very common that afterward you peel and lose the little color you gained. These individuals usually have light eyes and a very pale face with freckles. Very common in redheads. All people in this group should use a very high level of sunscreen, the higher, the better, above SPF 50.
Skin Type 2: people with very light skin. You are likely to burn easily with this type. It’s hard to get a tan and you peel easily. Generally, these individuals have light hair and eyes. It’s recommended to use a sunscreen with a factor of 50 or higher.
Skin Type 3: those in group III always turn red at the beach or pool. If this happens, you have fair skin, although less than in the previous two groups. The difference is that over time you get a tan. The tan comes after getting red. They can have light hair and eyes, but some have brown or dark hair. For skin type 3, it is recommended to use SPF 40 or higher.
Skin Type 4: with slightly darker skin, tending to brown. These individuals tan easily and get sunburned when exposed for longer periods. Unlike the levels of skin types 1, 2, and 3, people in type 4 can stay out in the sun without burning. Prolonged exposure will have the same effects as the others. You might belong to this group if you get very dark very quickly. In any case, don’t trust it and use SPF 25 or higher.
Skin Type 5: dark skin and black hair. These individuals have a much higher natural pigmentation. It’s harder for them to burn, but it’s still recommended to use sunscreen. The factor should be 15 or higher, and the tan is natural. These are the people commonly known as dark-skinned or with a deep tan.
Skin Type 6: the highest level for skin is for individuals with black skin. Their pigmentation is very high and they can spend much more time in the sun. Within this skin type, there are different intensities of pigmentation, and although many think they don’t burn, it’s not true. People with black skin do suffer burns. The difference is that they can stay out longer without noticing symptoms. In any case, the recommended SPF level is 8 or higher. Keep in mind that pigmentation isn’t the same.
Differences in Facial Sunscreens
Generally, these creams come in small units. Bottles with a small amount at a high price. If you wonder whether these facial sunscreens are really worth it, the so-called facial sunscreen, the answer is yes.
The differences between facial and body sunscreens are that the former usually contains moisturizing and nourishing substances that the latter doesn’t. Also, since the face is a very delicate area of the human body and is exposed to radiation for longer periods, the protection factor is usually higher. It is recommended to use numbers above 15, and if you do outdoor sports, use SPF 30 or higher.
Another feature of facial sunscreens is that they are less greasy. They generally use fewer oils, and the feel on the face is better. You don’t have the sticky texture, and it’s easier to apply. With body creams, it’s easy for residue to get into your eyes and cause irritation.
The price of facial sunscreen is higher due to these features. Whether to use it or not is a matter of personal preference and individual situations. In any case, use sunscreen on your face.
Pharmacy Sunscreens
There are different opinions, and some studies indicate that it’s not necessary for sunscreen to be from a pharmacy to be good. However, in these establishments they generally ensure a certain level of quality. Or at least, they should. If you don’t know what to do, it’s best to try different ones. The brands mentioned at the end of the article are personal preferences. There are times when I use some, and others work fine for me. One thing I like is to switch between a couple of them on different days. This way, I avoid overuse and balance out any weaknesses from one or the other.
Another note is that I sometimes go for the one from Mercadona, yes, the Deliplus sunscreen, and it gets me out of trouble at times. For my face, I always use facial sunscreen brands with a certain reputation.
Still, I always feel better and my skin feels less greasy with trusted creams. That said, if you’re thinking about pharmacy sunscreens, keep in mind they’re more expensive. You can buy a bottle starting at around 12 dollars, and the size is usually half of what you get with other brands.
Full-Screen Sunscreens
One thing to make clear is that there is no such thing as complete or indefinite protection. Any cream or facial sunscreen has a limited time. And I’m not referring to the expiration date or the end of the season, but to how much impact it has on the upper epidermis. So, no matter how high the protection factor is, there’s a limited time you can stay in the sun before you start burning. If you stay for many hours with your skin exposed, sooner or later, you’ll suffer the damage from UVA and UVB rays.
However, the higher the factor, the more protected you are. So, keep this in mind.
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen
And this is the latest way to prevent environmental pollution while protecting your delicate skin from harmful rays. The biodegradable sunscreen is a product that doesn’t harm the environment because it’s made with substances that disappear in a few days. You can swim with it without leaving traces of oils and chemicals harmful to animals. You help maintain the planet and don’t get burned.
Recommendations
It’s reasonable to expose yourself to the sun for a short time, although our habits and hobbies often make us do the opposite. For these cases, the best sunscreen is SPF 50 for the first days. After that, when you notice you’re getting color, gradually decrease it. Once you’re tanned, you can drop to SPF 30.
If you like getting really tanned, once you have a good tan and a good amount of pigment, you can lower it to SPF 15. Just remember, it’s always under your responsibility.
In general, with SPF 30, anyone increases their tan. You can get a tan with this SPF. It’s guaranteed. The difference is that it will happen more slowly, and you’ll avoid getting UVA and UVB rays in higher proportions in a short time.
If you’re one of those people who goes for a weekend and wants to get tan, it’s not advisable to just lie down on the sand. Skin damage accumulates over the years. It’s like a deposit of all the bad effects of the sun. Use sunscreen and remember that getting color is always better little by little.
Effective Sunscreen Brands
- Isdn
- Babaria
- Yves Rocher
- Ambre solaire
Where to Buy Sunscreen at a Good Price
You can buy it at different stores such as supermarkets, cosmetic specialty shops, and pharmacies. Additionally, nowadays, there are a wide variety of online stores where you can buy sunscreen much cheaper than at the usual pharmacies, so… it’s pretty clear. Buying it online will definitely save you some money, which is always helpful.
So take a look at a couple of sites, and you’re sure to find a sunscreen that suits you. As I mentioned earlier, you can check out different brands since, in the end, it’s very personal to choose one over another. Just keep in mind the characteristics we discussed and enjoy your time in the sun.