Basic Rules for Choosing a Sunscreen
The following basic rules are applicable to all skin types.
1. Choose a Sunscreen that Can Block All Types of Harmful Ultraviolet (UV) Rays
In fact, not all sunscreens are able to block Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB). Only micro zinc oxide can block all UVA rays.
In addition, according to experts, the micro zinc oxide has a stable nature in the bottles and when used, this material remains stable even when exposed to sun exposure.
Moreover, this ingredient is also not absorbed into the body.
Therefore, you are encouraged to choose a sunscreen that contains at least 5% micro zinc oxide.
Don't worry about to rub it on the skin as this ingredient is unpoignant in the eyes and rarely triggers acne, skin irritation, or allergic reactions.
Also bear in mind that the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) index informs you only about how well the product is in hindering the UVB rays.
In other words, the SPF value does not show any information about the ability of sunscreen to protect the skin from UVA rays.
Of course, all products claimed to be able to block all UV rays, but in fact the majority can only reduce the harmful effects of UVA rays only.
So before buying sunscreen or sunblock products, always read the packaging to know the active ingredient.
If the product contains micro zinc oxide 5% or higher, then it can be included in the shopping cart.
In addition to the things that have been displayed, you should also pay attention to other materials in sunscreen products such as micro titanium dioxide.
Choose products that contain at least 5% of the ingredients. Next, read the sunscreen packaging and select the one containing Mexoryl SX and zinc oxide.
2. Buy a Completely New Product
It is true that all the sunscreen products sold in the store are new, sealed, and have never been worn. But the new term here does not lead to that aspect.
Know if the material of sunscreen can be damaged over time, especially if the temperature of the storage room is not good (too hot or too cold).
Therefore, always check the date of creation and the date expires.
Avoid using a sunscreen that is dated for a long time, or the packaging you have open since a year ago.
3. Choose the Right Sunscreen
Right here it means appropriate skin type, body part, and activity level.
For example, if you are a hobby of swimming or other water sports, then buy a water-resistant label.
When the skin is prone to acne, choose the best quality. In this case, sunscreen (sun block) containing titanium dioxide and micro zinc oxide is recommended, because they do not clog pores.
According to the experts, the proper sunscreen that can protect the skin from UVA and UVB.
Therefore, look for products that contain:
- Cinnamates (octylmethyl cinnamate & cinoxate)
- Benzophenones (Oxybenzone)
- Ecamsule (Mexoryl SX) – The price is quite expensive
- Salicylates
- Sulisobenzone
- Titanium dioxide – Cheaper anti UVA
- Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) – a stable UVA barrier
- Zinc oxide – a cheaper anti UVA
As for its UVB antidote, choose a product whose SPF is 15 or higher.
Ideally, the higher the SPF, the more capable sunscreen in preventing the occurrence of sunburn caused by UVB. But in fact, it is not true.
Unlike most people, they think that SPF 30 is able to provide protection 2 times from SPF 15.
In fact, SPF 15 is able to filter 93% UVB, while SPF 30 is just 97% – the difference is not too striking?
In conclusion, for most people, SPF 15 is good enough. But for those whose families have a history of lupus disease or skin cancer, then they are advised to choose SPF 30 + + or higher.
Tips for Choosing Sunscreen Based on Skin Type
What skin types do you have today? Make sure you choose the sunscreen that suits it.
1. Dry Skin
Dry skin has a slight oil content and is easily sensitive. Dry texture makes the appearance of the skin so crisp due to lack of moisture.
Usually the owner of dry skin will feel uncomfortable or abusive after bathing or washing the face, especially if he forgot to apply moisturizer.
Therefore, a sunscreen containing moisturizers is recommended for this type of skin.
When selecting a sunscreen, keep in mind that a concentrated creamy texture is needed to protect the skin from damage.
So choose a product whose consistency is concentrated.
There are various types of moisturizers that usually accompany sunscreen products such as oil, lanolin, and silicon.
Sunscreen with moisturizers is usually formulated in the form of lotions, creams, and ointments. When selecting Read only the label.
And for melasma sufferers, skin cancer-related skin conditions, or that are usually experienced by white owners, sunscreen with SPF 30 is recommended to use every day for extra protection.
2. Oily Skin
Oily skin is one of the most problematic because the nose, cheeks, and forehead is usually excess oil.
It makes the face look ' wet ', oily, shiny, rough, and big porous. Not infrequently the owner of oily facial skin is experiencing spotty during hot weather.
The solution, for the owner of oily skin, water-based sunscreen (aqua) is recommended because it causes a drying effect and does not make the skin more oily.
In addition, Aqua-based sunscreen also has a soothing effect on the skin and acne.
3. Sensitive Skin
Those with sensitive skin should use a sunscreen that contains pure zinc oxide because this ingredient hardly ever causes irritation or allergies.
4. Normal Skin
If your skin is normal, then a sunscreen in the form of lotion is the best.
SPF 15 Sunscreen in the form of lotion can give you the moisture that fit without making the face appear dry or oily.
5. Problematic Skin
Those with skin disorders like lupus and rosacea may have to choose a mild-type sunscreen designed for babies and children.
Look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide material, rather than chemical-laden products such as PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), oxybenzone, Dioxybenzone, or Sulisobenzone.
And if you have skin irritation or allergies, also avoid sunscreen that contains alcohol, preservatives, or additional perfumes.
Acne skin owners should not wear sunscreen that makes an oily face, usually appears in the formulation of cream because this product can worsen its acne.
Ensulizole (phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid) that effectively resist UVB radiation has fewer oil consistency than other sunscreen chemicals.
But since acne medications usually tend to make the skin dry, then sunscreen in the form of a gel may be better than the shape of a lotion or a cream.
And since the majority of acne medications increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, it makes the skin more prone to damage.
Therefore, applying a proper sunscreen every day is very important.
6. Children's Skin
Chemicals in sunscreen products can irritate the skin of the still sensitive children. Examples are oxybenzone and PABA which often cause a reaction.
Therefore, for kid's sunscreen with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide tend to be safer for sensitive skin so this ingredient is usually found in sunscreen products for babies.
You can also buy your child Sunscreen model spray/spray which is more practical and easy to use.
But remember, this kind of sunscreen should not be applied directly to the face. Spray it first into the palm, just apply it to the face.
7. Dark Skin
Dark skin owners might think he doesn't have to wear sunscreen anymore. Because the pigment of the skin is much and sufficient to protect from skin cancer.
Truer, at least than white, the risk of darker skin owners is lower to be exposed to cancer.
However, although it may not experience sunburn, dark skin that has been tanning can also be damaged by DNA due to exposure to UV rays.
Therefore, the owners of dark skin still need to apply sunscreen and the best active ingredient option falls on titanium because it can make the skin look whiter.
8. Elderly Skin
Those whose age is further is certainly more ' eating ' UV rays than the young ones/children.
Although it may have been resilient, they still need to use sunscreen.
One reason is to avoid deadly diseases such as skin cancer, or other non-cancerous effects such as aging, wrinkles, black spots, sagging skin, and coarse.
But because the elderly may be hassles for applying sunscreen like in the legs and back area, then the product model spray may be better.
So that's some tips on how to choose the right sunscreen for your skin that you can apply. Hopefully you can find the best products and free of harmful effects of sunlight.
