More and more people are becoming convinced of the importance of applying sunscreen. This minor ritual in our daily care protects our complexion from the sun’s harmful rays. Check out what you should know before buying a sunscreen so that it is a product that will not only benefit your complexion, but also look good under makeup.
We are increasingly hearing from everywhere that sunscreen creams are essential to protect our skin from UV radiation. What does this mean?
The sun emits natural ultraviolet radiation, which we can divide into three categories (waves): UVA, UVB and UVC.
The first of these, UVA radiation, accounts for as much as 95% of all UV radiation that reaches our planet. It penetrates deep – all the way to the dermis – and damages the cells there. UVA can cause phototoxic and photoallergic reactions, and can even damage DNA and cause skin cancer. Under the influence of this radiation, elastin and collagen fibers change their structure and discoloration occurs. The concentration of UVA radiation is constant, regardless of the time of day. It even penetrates through window glass.
The rest of ultraviolet radiation is UVB radiation. It’s the one that causes tanning, erythema and sunburn, and lowers our immunity. This radiation does not pass through clouds and glass, but penetrates through water. Its highest concentration can be observed in summer, between 11 am and 3 pm.
Excellent protection against both UVA and UVB radiation is provided by sunscreens. Products with SPF protect the skin from photoaging and the formation of hyperpigmentation and inflammation. We should use sunscreen creams every day, all year round, not just in the summer, as UV radiation accumulates in the body throughout our lives.
When choosing a sunscreen, it is important to pay attention to what the product actually protects us from. The SPF indicator tells us the strength with which the cream protects us from UVA and UVB radiation. A UVA designation in a circle or PA++++ means high protection against UVA radiation.
If you want a sunscreen that is ideal under makeup, pay attention to the consistency of the product. It must not be too thick and heavy, as makeup may weigh on it. It’s better to bet on lightweight, fast-absorbing creams.
Manufacturers assure you that the claimed protection from the sun’s rays can be achieved after applying about 2 mg/cm2 to the face, which, in terms of conversion, is about 1.25 ml. How to measure such an amount? We recommend the so-called two-finger method: squeeze the cream on the length of your index and middle finger – in simple terms, this is the amount of product you need to protect your face from sunlight.
The sunscreen cream is the last stage of our care. We apply it immediately before applying foundation.
For the product to be fully effective, it should be applied every 3 hours or so. This is especially important when our face is extremely exposed to the sun, such as on vacation in warm countries or on a sunny, cloudless day.
If we wear makeup or SPF reapplication is impossible, we can use a spray sunscreen.
main photo: unsplash.com/Kori Nori
