It is important to protect your skin from the sun’s harsh UV rays to prevent premature aging, sun damage, and skin cancer. The application of sunblock as in sunblock cream or lotion every day reduces harmful effects of sunlight on our skin by creating a barrier against the sun. Applying sunblock is crucial during all seasons, whether sunny or overcast, during all times of daylight. Read on to find out what kind of sunblock to use and when to use it.
The sun products today include- Sunblock, Sunscreen, or Sun Tan Lotion. Sunblock is the most potent of sun products as it can block the sun’s harmful rays from damaging your skin. It comes in a variety of SPFs and helps protect your skin during the summer and for extended periods of time spent outdoors.
Sunscreen is a lighter alternative to sunblock which lets a little sun in for you to get a tan or for daily use when you spend limited time in the sun. Finally, the Sun tan lotion is quickly becoming a less popular item as it offers absolutely no protection against the sun letting in harmful UV rays.
UVA and UVB are the two kinds of ultraviolet sun rays that need to be blocked or they will damage your skin. It is fine if at least one of these two gets blocked, but it is necessary that you look for sunblock and sunscreen that will block both. Both UVA and UVB are equally damaging and lead to premature aging, cancer, and other serious skin conditions.
SPF, present in almost every sun care product is used to measure the amount of protection you will receive. The most common SPFs are 15, 30, and 45. The one you will typically find in face lotion and/or makeup is SPF 15 which can be used daily for limited time in the sun, year round. SPF 30 is used for extended periods of time in the sun and SPF 45 or higher is used mostly for high intensity sun such as hiking or at the beach on a hot, sunny day.
It is always useful to apply a sunblock or sunscreen that is waterproof or sweat proof. It is thicker than a normal sunblock or sunscreen, but is absolutely necessary on hot days or when you are swimming as it doesn’t wash off easily.
When it comes to products to use on the face, be it the best makeup remover you are buying or a good sunblock recommended by a friend, remember to test it first for any reactions on your skin type.