The Scoop On Sunscreens
Print Edition
WITH summer quickly approaching, it is time to break out that sunscreen and lather up. Here are a few tips on choosing the right sunscreen and a few tips about sun protection.
Before we start, let us look at SPF, a term we often see on skincare and cosmetic products. Short for Sun Protection Factor, SPF is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to prevent ultraviolet rays from damaging the skin. For instance, if it takes 10 minutes for your unprotected skin to start to burn, using a sunscreen with SPF 15 will theoretically delay the onset of sunburn to 150 minutes.
SPF ranges from as low as 2 to over 50 and the higher the value, the more protection it offers. SPF 15 is said to filter out 93% of all incoming UVB rays, while SPF 30 keeps out 97% and SPF 50 blocks out 98%.
An important thing to note though, is SPF blocks out only UVB rays — the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer — but not UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and is the main culprit for premature aging and wrinkling of the skin. To ensure complete protection against both UVA and UVB, experts recommend using a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30.
When should sunscreens be used?
Think sunscreens should only be worn on sunny days? Think again. UV rays are always present, even on cloudy and overcast days when the sun’s rays are not visible to the naked eye. Not to mention, UV rays can be reflected from water, sand, snow and even cement, and are just as harmful as direct UV rays. In other words, sunscreens should be used daily, regardless of the weather or season.
Physical vs chemical sunscreens
There are two major types of sunscreens on the market nowadays — chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens contain UV-absorbing ingredients like Oxybenzone and Avobenzone that act as filters and reduce UV radiation penetration to the skin. They are often colorless and usually contain UVB absorbing chemicals and more recently contain UVA absorbers as well.
Physical sunscreens, more commonly known as sunblocks, contain inert minerals such as Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide or Parsol 1789. They often provide full spectrum broad protection against both UVB and UVA rays and work like a physical shield on the skin to prevent absorption of UV rays. While the traditional sunblocks tend to be more opaque and leave behind a white cast, the newer formulations are much more cosmetically pleasing. They are also less irritating to the skin than chemical filters and much better suited for children and those with sensitive skin.
A few more tips
Always apply sunscreen liberally to clean skin at least 30 minutes before heading outdoors. Reapply every 2 hours, especially after swimming, sweating or drying off with a towel. If you are going to be spending lots of time outdoors and in water, make sure you use a sunscreen with words like “waterproof” or “water-resistant.” A “water-resistant” formula will maintain its SPF level after 40 minutes of water exposure while a “waterproof” formula can double that time frame to 80 minutes.
Never rely solely on the SPF provided by makeup products. While they do add a bit of protection, you would need to put on quite a bit to get the same results as a sunscreen. If you intend on wearing makeup, apply sunscreen prior to makeup application.
And don’t forget the lips as they can get sunburned too! Always apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
