Which sunscreen is right for you?
How many of us heard growing up, “you need to put on sunscreen before getting in the pool” during the summer months?
Maybe this was just me because I have very fair, sensitive skin and grew up here in Chico California, where summers are 100+(last weekend got to 108!). So the main outdoor activity was swimming. I have a feeling many of you also experienced similar situations as kids. I know you probably also had parents who made you apply sunscreen and then wait 30 minutes till you were allowed to get in the water. The torcher!
It wasn’t till now that I really learned and understood why sunscreen is so important and why we need to take our parents’ words seriously. Exposure to the sun has been linked to skin cancer, and premature aging skin.
With so many different brands and types of sunscreen, it’s hard to know what to use, when to apply, and how often you should be applying sunscreen. Let’s dive into the topic of skin protection! (Pun not intended) Hopefully, by the end, you will be just as excited about protecting your skin as you are for summer pool parties.
There are two types of sunscreens. Physical and chemical. Both protect you from the harmful UVA/UVB rays, these rays absorb into our skin and cause premature aging, wrinkles, and sunburns. However, the active ingredients, and ways they protect you are very different. There are pros and cons to both of these sunscreens, knowing when to use one over the other will help keep you better protected.
Physical sunscreen is mineral-based. It is made up of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients work by sitting on top of the surface of your skin and block the UVA/UVB rays from entering your skin. Think of this type of sunscreen as an invisible shield for your skin. This type of sunscreen is great for everyday use on the face. It's great for people with skin sensitivity or acne-prone skin. It’s long-lasting in the sun, but can be rubbed or sweat off so it will need to be reapplied. Some brands now offer facial zinc spray that can be reapplied over your makeup for convenience.
Chemical sunscreen contains organic, or carbon-based compounds like oxybenzone, octinoxate and avobenzone. These compounds create a chemical reaction by changing the UVA/UVB rays into heat and then release the heat from the skin. Imagine this type of sunscreen as a superhero, whose superpower allows him to absorb UV rays and then turn that energy to shoot heat lasers. This type of sunscreen is better used on the body during physical activity. It will not sweat off as easily as a physical sunscreen, but should still be reapplied. If you have rosacea, this option may not be best as it produces heat in the skin and this can cause rosacea flare-ups.
Both types of sunscreen should first be applied with lotion first. That way you make sure to get it evenly applied onto your skin. Spray sunscreen can be used for reapplications, but should not be used as your base. Sunscreen should be reapplied about every hour. If you are in direct sun for extended periods of time consider reapplying more often. In terms of SPF, anything over 50 is simply a marketing ploy and will not give you extra protection. Stick to SPF 30-50 for the best protection. I have always had the worst luck with sunscreen and getting terrible sunburns. It wasn’t until this year when I learned about these differences and how often to apply sunscreen that I really understand how important it is for your skin.
I hope these tips will help you be more aware of this coming year of the importance of sunscreen.
Bonus tip: consider adding a topical antioxidant to your face before applying sunscreen. Antioxidants help neutralize the free radicals on your skin and work with the sunscreen to help give you better protection.
Have questions about sunscreen? feel free to email me HERE
