As awareness of skincare and sun protection grows, understanding SPF (Sun Protection Factor) becomes increasingly important. Using SPF correctly can significantly reduce the risk of skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancer. Here’s a detailed guide on what you need to know about SPF and how to avoid common mistakes people often make.
Proper sunscreen use is essential for protecting your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. By understanding the importance of broad-spectrum protection, choosing the right SPF, applying it correctly, and avoiding common mistakes, you can significantly reduce the risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Make SPF a daily habit, and enjoy the sun safely and responsibly.
Even though sunscreen became more popular after the 2000s, research shows that UV rays cause 90% of premature aging.
1. Golden Rule: Apply SPF every day, in every season, no matter what you’re doing or where you are.
Whether at the office or home, working on a tablet, cooking, on vacation at the North Pole, or even if it’s been raining for three months, make sure to use SPF. It’s important to remember that ideally, you should apply it at least 30 minutes before exposure to UV rays.
2. Find a product that suits your skin type and needs. Generally, sunscreens don’t have to be expensive.
Choosing the Right SPF Rating and Selecting the Best Sunscreen for Your Skin Type
Oily, acne-prone skin needs a light, fluid gel texture that absorbs quickly and possibly mattifies. Dry skin needs creamier textures that leave the skin hydrated and luminous. Selecting the best sunscreen for your skin type is so important.
Choose an SPF of at least 30 with broad-spectrum protection, preferably UVB+UVA or PA++++.
Check out a few recommendations I picked for you on my Instagram page.
3. How SPF works?
Sunscreens labeled as “broad-spectrum” protect against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburn and play a key role in developing skin cancer. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, causing premature aging and wrinkles.
TIP: Always check for the term “broad-spectrum” on your sunscreen label to ensure comprehensive protection.
To understand how SPF works: it measures UVB rays that reach the epidermis-dermis junction, accelerating tanning and burns and responsible for melanoma. SPF 15 protects you from 93% of rays, SPF 30 from 97%, and SPF 50 from 98%. There is no 100% protection.
TIP: Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen with at least SPF 30 for daily use. Remember, no sunscreen can block 100% of UV rays, so additional sun-protection measures are necessary.
UVA rays, known as aging rays, penetrate the dermis, reaching 320-400 nanometers in the skin. They contribute to aging, elastin and collagen destruction, and dehydration, and are present all year round. PA is the next measure of UVA rays. Introduced in Japan in 1996, it informs consumers about the level of UVA protection in products. PA+ means low protection, PA++ medium protection, PA+++ high protection, and PA++++ very high protection.
4. Don’t rush! Applying it superficially won’t be effective.
We all know how hectic life can be, but apply your SPF as carefully as you would apply your foundation! If you don’t use SPF, reconsider investing in anti-aging creams and serums that don’t offer protection. During the day, your skin degrades while at night you try to repair it.
TIP: Apply it along two fingers’ length and massage until it’s absorbed. Don’t forget your eyes, lips, ears, neck, décolletage, and hands.
The lips, eye area, and neck have the most delicate skin. The neck shows the first visible signs of aging. When used correctly, the product needs a little time to absorb and may leave white traces that eventually disappear. Don’t forget to reapply every 2 hours if possible!
5. The Importance of Reapplying Sunscreen
Sunscreen loses its effectiveness over time, especially when swimming, sweating, or towel-drying.
For easy peasy reapplication, get yourself a face spritz with SPF; they’re perfect to reapply especially when you wear make-up, like this Garnier Mist! It has everything! Great price, great coverage and protection, a non-greasy formula, and is super light. This little one won the Sheerluxe Awards in 2023! If you click on the photo you will find more info about it.
TIP: Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating heavily. Even if your sunscreen is labeled “water-resistant,” it still needs to be reapplied regularly.
The mistakes in a nutshell:
Common Sunscreen Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Not Using Enough Sunscreen:
Mistake: Many people apply too little sunscreen, significantly reducing its effectiveness.
Skipping Sunscreen on Cloudy Days:
Mistake: Assuming that sunscreen isn’t necessary when it’s cloudy or cool outside.
Missing Certain Areas:
Mistake: Forgetting to apply sunscreen to commonly overlooked areas such as the ears, neck, scalp, lips, and tops of the feet.
Relying Solely on SPF in Makeup or Moisturizers:
Mistake: Believing that makeup or moisturizers with SPF provide sufficient protection.
Solution: Use a dedicated sunscreen as your primary source of protection. Products like makeup and moisturizers with SPF can offer additional coverage but are generally not enough on their own.
Not Reapplying Often Enough
- Mistake: Failing to reapply sunscreen regularly, especially after activities that cause it to wear off, like swimming or sweating.
We think that using SPF block vitamin D synthetisation
The myth and one of SPF common mistakes is that completely blocking vitamin D synthesis is not supported by scientific evidence. While sunscreen does reduce UVB exposure, it does not entirely prevent the skin from producing vitamin D. Real-world application, combined with other sources of vitamin D, ensures that sunscreen use does not lead to deficiency. Prioritizing sun protection helps prevent skin cancer and premature aging, making sunscreen an essential part of daily skincare routines.
Study Findings: Research indicates that despite the theoretical reduction in UVB exposure, real-world use of sunscreen does not lead to vitamin D deficiency. This is due to the imperfect application and intermittent exposure to sunlight.
For optimal health, balance sun protection with mindful dietary choices or supplements to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.
What is my conclusion?
In conclusion, we need to understand that the sun is not our enemy. Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin only after sun exposure. It is a myth that SPF blocks vitamin D. Sunlight can alleviate psoriasis, has antibacterial effects, lifts our mood, and makes us feel better. When we are in the sun, cortisol levels decrease. When you apply SPF, you will still tan, maybe not as quickly, but more safely than if you use olive oil, which is the worst idea to accelerate tanning.
Proper sunscreen use is essential for protecting your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. By understanding the importance of broad-spectrum protection, choosing the right SPF, applying it correctly, and avoiding common mistakes, you can significantly reduce the risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Make SPF a daily habit, and enjoy the sun safely and responsibly.
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IF YOU DON’T AFFORD ANYTHING ELSE, WEAR SUNSCREEN!
Skin Education & Wellness