Sunscreen - Protect Your Skin From Sun
Earth Rhythm Sunscreen (Sun-Protection Cream) is like armour to your skin against the sun-rays. It protects you from the harmful UVA & UVB rays of the sun. Although, it's not just the sunny days you should be worried about. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of the sun's radiation reaches your body. That is why getting a sunscreen with SPF 50 or any other high-protection sunscreen is suggested. It's a hot, sunny day in your city. You have an important lunch to attend and start getting ready for it. As you take the first step out, you realize how excruciating the sun's heat is. You feel a sunburn instantly and step back inside. What was it that you missed? That's right, Sunscreen! One can find two basic types of sunscreen on the market, Physical Sunscreen, and Chemical Sunscreen. But we'll go ahead and look at how sunscreen works before discussing that.
How Does Sunscreen Works?
A combination of physical and chemical particles works together to block and absorb the sun's harmful UV rays. This sounds a little complex, so we'll break it down for you. There are Physical particles of zinc oxide and & titanium oxide in sunscreen cream that reflect UV radiation from the surface of the skin. In addition to this, it has some complex chemical ingredients that absorb the rays of the sun before it reaches your skin and releases it as heat. Sunscreen works as a mid-layer between your skin and harmful sun rays. Now that you know the science behind how sunscreen works let's find out the major difference between physical and chemical sunscreen.
Benefits of Wearing Sunscreen:
- Sunscreen Protects From Harmful UVA/UVB Rays.
- Sunscreen Helps to Lower the Risk of Skin Cancer.
- Sunscreen Provides Healthy & Glowing Skin.
- Sunscreen Helps in Delaying Signs of Aging.
- Sunscreen Helps in Fading Dark Spots From Sun Burn.
Physical Sunscreen: Best Sunscreen For Oily & Acne Skin - Physical Sunscreen, also known as mineral sunscreens, work simply by creating a barrier on your skin that acts as a protective shield against the sun's rays. The protection level of these sunscreens is potentially very high and is highly recommended if you use sunscreen on your face as well as your body (that we suggest you definitely should). They also help protect your skin from long-term damages from the sun, including hyperpigmentation & wrinkles that are induced by exposure to the sun's UVA radiation. The best part about these is that they also protect you from the harmful sun rays that peek in through the window panes of your car or house. This is also why you're advised to wear sunscreen no matter if you're stepping out or not.
You must have seen sportspersons, especially cricketers playing a day match, using tons of sunscreen that gives out a white cast to their skin. That is acceptable on the ground, but you wouldn't want it on your face while you're out for that lunch. You can avoid them by using newer formulas of mineral sunscreen that have tinted zinc oxide. Best Mineral Sunscreens with zinc oxide have properties that are suitable for sensitive skin as well. It can be used as a sunscreen for acne-prone skin and is even considered safe & gentle enough to use for children. These are also the ones with the broadest spectrum of protection from the UVA radiation of the sun. Physical sunscreen is also good for sensitive skin.
Chemical Sunscreen: Unlike its counterpart, Chemical sunscreen does not directly block the sun's rays. Rather it has active chemical ingredients that absorb UV rays before your skin soaks them. Some of these chemical ingredients are listed below:
- oxybenzone
- avobenzone
- octisalate
- octocrylene
- homosalate
- Octinoxate
Chemical Sun Protection Creams do not leave behind any debris Sunscreen with No White Cast; it's easy to apply and can be worn at any time. It is thus suitable for a more dynamic range of skin tones. Its easy application and less aftermath make it a fairly popular choice among people. There have been multiple questions about the usage of Chemical Sunscreen and whether it's safe to use them. Multiple studies conducted by the FDA (Food & Drug Association) have come to minimal significant data about chemical sunscreen being harmful in any way.
What Determines a Good/Suitable Sunscreen?
The efficacy of sunscreen is majorly dependent on two factors. The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) and PA+ protection. Let us have a look at the two:
SPF-Sun Protection Factor : The SPF of a product determines the level of protection from UVB radiation. Sunscreens mainly have SPF15, SPF30 & SPF50 protection. But what does this mean?
- SPF15 Sunscreen is milder and filters out around 93% UVB radiation.
- SPF30 Sunscreen is a little stronger providing around 97% protection from UVB radiation.
- SPF50 Sunscreen is pretty strong and filters out around 98% UVB radiation.
So basically, a higher sunscreen SPF rating means higher protection from the UVB rays of the sun.
PA+ Protection: PA+ protection means protection from the sun’s UVA radiation. The concept to understand is fairly simple. The more + attached next to the PA is, the more protection it provides against the harmful UVA rays. There is a PPD grade to measure this which currently measures till 16. The PA++++ has a rating of 16 and above which is very rare and as of now is available in select countries only. There are four levels to PA+ protection, namely:
How to Apply Sunscreen on Face?
Achieving optimal protection from the sun's rays requires a precise approach to applying sunscreen. Follow these steps for sunscreen application done right:
- 1. Preparation is Key: Start with clean, dry skin. Remove any makeup or other skincare products before applying sunscreen to ensure maximum absorption and effectiveness.
- 2. Choose the Right SPF: Select a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Higher SPF values offer increased protection, especially if you'll be spending extended periods outdoors or have fair skin.
- 3. Apply Generously: Don't be stingy with your sunscreen! Use enough to cover all exposed skin thoroughly. A general guideline is about one ounce (a shot glass full) for the entire body.
- 4. Dot, Don't Plop: Instead of squirting a large amount of sunscreen in one spot, dispense small dots evenly across each area of skin you plan to protect. This ensures even coverage and prevents missed spots.
- 5. Spread Evenly: Using gentle, circular motions, spread the sunscreen over your skin. Take your time to ensure that every inch of exposed skin receives a uniform coating.
- 6. Don't Forget the Hot Spots: Pay special attention to commonly overlooked areas such as the ears, neck, back of the neck, tops of feet, and backs of hands. These areas are prone to sunburn but often neglected during application.
- 7. Reapply Regularly: Sunscreen isn't a one-and-done deal. Reapply every two hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating heavily. Even "water-resistant" sunscreens lose their effectiveness over time, so don't skip this crucial step.
- 8. Time it Right: Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure to allow it to fully absorb into your skin and provide maximum protection.
- 9. Layer Up: If you're using other skincare products like moisturizer or makeup, apply sunscreen as the final step in your skincare routine to ensure it's the outermost layer.
- 10. Everyday Essentials: Sunscreen isn't just for beach days. Make it a daily habit to apply sunscreen to exposed skin, even on cloudy days, as harmful UV rays can penetrate cloud cover.
By following these steps and making sunscreen application a regular part of your skincare routine, you can help protect your skin from sun damage and maintain a healthy, radiant complexion for years to come.
Earth Rhythm Best Sunscreen's For All Skin Types
Prior to using any skincare product, you should get your research done depending on your skin type and any allergies to a particular ingredient that you might have. Here are the best sunscreen spray, sunscreen stick, sunscreen serum, sunscreen lotion, cream and more to use for different skin types by Earth Rhythm
How Long Does Sunscreen Lasts?
How long your sunscreen lasts on skin depends on a few factors. A sunscreen for the face might last less than a sunscreen for the body. There are other factors that come into play as well. The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) protection gives you the basic idea of how long its protection will last. Here are some more factors that count on the longevity of your sunscreen protection.
- SPF Protection
- Your Skin's photosensitivity
- Your skin tone (Lighter skin tone requires more care and more frequent application)
- The exposure of the concerned body part to the sun
So, now that you know about the application of sunscreen and how often should you use it, how about going out for that lunch? Just make sure that it took you around 10-12 minutes to read this article and check out the products we listed for you, as it is suggested that you wait 20-30 minutes after applying your sun protection cream to step out for it to work at its full potential. Reapply sunscreen after 4 hrs when you are under continuous sun rays.
Also, if that lunch of yours is with someone special ;) make sure you keep yourself and your skin at their best. Worry about your outings and let Earth Rhythm take care of your skin.
