SPF is not directly connected to the time of solar exposure but to the quantity of solar exposure. Although solar energy amount is connected to solar exposure time, other elements influence the quantity of solar energy.
For example, it takes less time to be exposed to the same quantity of solar energy at noon, corresponding to early morning or late evening, because the sun is more severe at midday relative to the other periods.
Types
When choosing a sunscreen with SPF, you may face a dilemma about buying the type. There are typically three types available:
- Chemical filters – the protective effect is absorption: chemical filters absorb harmful radiation from the UV-B and UV-A ranges. They include organic compounds. These are mixtures of various types of compounds, including salicylates, benzophenones, and cinnamates. Products with chemical filters in their composition are recommended for use under makeup because they do not leave a greasy or white layer on the skin. They penetrate the skin layers, so for them to be effective, they must be applied earlier, at least 20 minutes before exposure to the sun, and reapplied during the day. It is also worth checking whether a given chemical substance does not cause allergies or worsen the condition of skin prone to imperfections. In such a case, changing the filter to a mineral or one made of other organic compounds is worth changing.
- Physical (mineral) filters – their action is based on reflecting harmful UV rays. In the cosmetic composition, they will be marked as, for example, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These natural inorganic substances protect primarily against UV-B radiation (a slightly weaker reflection of UV-A radiation has been shown). They are especially recommended for caring for children, infants, and people with sensitive or reactive skin. They remain on its surface and are not absorbed like chemical filters.For this reason, they are difficult to use under makeup. Another disadvantage is the oily consistency and whitening of the skin. The advantage is the natural composition and not penetrating deep into the skin.
- Mixed filters – combine the properties of physical and chemical filters.
What Does It Protect Against?
Sunbathing sounds innocent, but remember that tanning is also a potentially dangerous activity. Here’s why:
- Sunburn—Due to prolonged exposure to the sun, the skin becomes red, stinging, and painful to touch. In the case of second-degree burns, painful blisters filled with serous fluid appear on the body. As a result of the burn, the skin can come off in whole sheets, which is an extremely uncomfortable process.
- Skin cancer – the most severe type of skin cancer is malignant melanoma. UV rays can cause mutations in our DNA, which in turn leads to the development of cancer. Regular dermatological check-ups are crucial to rule out cancerous skin lesions.
- Photoaging is a process of skin degeneration and damage caused by the action of ultraviolet radiation, which is emitted by the sun and by lamps in solariums. This damage causes visible changes in the skin in the most exposed and sun-exposed areas. The skin aging process caused by the action of the sun is the result of many years of chronic exposure; however, remember that even a single, intensive tanning session exposes the skin to burns, which deepens this problem.
Skin Phototype
Melanin, or skin pigment, also found in the choroid of the eye and hair, is responsible for the change in skin color under the influence of sunlight. Although we are not fully aware of it, the tan on our skin plays primarily a defensive function and is an individual reaction of the skin to the possibility of sunburn in its deep layers. The amount of melanin in the skin determines our ease of sunbathing and the risk of sunburn.
Dermatologists have identified six different skin phototypes based on how the skin reacts to UV radiation. Thomas B. Fitzpatrick classified these types by observing skin reactions after 30 minutes of sun exposure at noon.
Phototype I
This skin type has minimal melanin, resulting in fair skin with a pink hue, prone to irritation and redness. People with this skin type, often with blond or red hair and blue eyes, are highly susceptible to sunburn and should avoid sunbathing.
Phototype II
This type also has fair skin but with a milky rather than pink shade, often seen in individuals with blond hair and blue eyes. While they tan poorly and burn easily, they can achieve a light tan with frequent and short sun exposure.
Phototype III
Phototype III is characterized by more melanin in the skin compared to the first two types. It provides greater resistance to sunlight. This is still a fair type of complexion in a golden or slightly swarthy shade. People with this skin type usually have dark blond, light, and medium brown hair, and their eyes are hazel, blue, green, brown, or grey. In the initial tanning phase, a slight redness of the skin may appear, but it rarely turns into a burn. Achieving a brown tan is easy for this phototype.
Phototype IV
People with this type of complexion typically have dark or olive skin, dark brown or black hair, and hazel, green, or brown eyes. Their skin tans easily and quickly with a low risk of sunburn. The high melanin content in their skin acts as a barrier to sunlight, but it also poses a risk of premature aging and wrinkles. Therefore, these individuals must use SPF 20 or SPF 15 sunscreens throughout the year.
Phototype V
Phototype V is naturally well-protected from solar radiation. It tans very easily and quickly and hardly ever burns.
Phototype VI
This phototype refers to dark brown or black skin that tans deeply and never gets sunburned.
What To Remember When Tanning?
Remember to determine your skin phototype as it helps decide how long you should tan or protect yourself from sunburn. Regardless of your complexion, don’t overdo tanning, and use proper sun protection.
Broad Action
When choosing a cream, consider whether the product has a broad spectrum of action. This means that the cream blocks UVA and UVB rays, while a regular sunscreen only protects against UVB radiation. So since both types of radiation are harmful, choosing a product that protects us from both is worth it.
Waterproof
No sunscreen can be completely waterproof. For a product to be called this, it must be specified whether it will last 40 or 80 minutes of sweating or swimming. For this reason, to get the best results and ensure effective protection, when spending time in the sun, you should apply sunscreen every 2 hours or even more often (especially when swimming).
If you are wondering what sunscreen to choose for your face, one with waterproof properties may not be the best. The organization explains that if you do sports that can cause sweat to run into your eyes, the SPF filter can end up with the sweat.
What’s The Difference?
SPF 50 provides around 98% protection against UVB rays, as opposed to around 96.7% protection provided by SPF 30. An SPF above 50 will only give slightly more protection – no SPF can provide 100% protection for your skin. For most everyday situations, SPF 30 is adequate protection, but only when applied correctly – so SPF 50 remains a safer option for preventing sun damage.
What Sunscreen For Every Day?
When choosing a cream with a filter for everyday use, consider several factors:
- Level of sun protection
- Type of filters used
- Level of sun exposure
- Skin phototype
- Skin type
- Current care
- Individual preferences
The cosmetics market offers photoprotective products with different formulas, allowing you to choose a cosmetic tailored to your skin’s current needs.
How To Use SPF Creams?
Remember that even creams that provide the highest protection protect against harmful UV radiation for a few hours. To ensure high sun protection throughout the day, SPF cosmetics should be applied several times a day. While applying a cream to the body several times is nothing challenging, it can be problematic for women to refresh the sun protection of the face after applying makeup.
In the case of dry skin, apply a moisturizing cream and only then SPF to the face. When both cosmetics are absorbed, you can apply makeup. For oily skin, it is often enough to use just a cream with a filter under makeup. An alternative solution may be BB creams with sun protection. Such a cosmetic is a protective cream, moisturizing, and a delicate foundation. There are good BB creams with a filter on the market, that evening out the skin tone, moisturizing and blocking UV rays.
Photoprotection is important all year round, but especially in the spring and summer, during periods of high sunlight, sunscreen must be included in daily care.
Apply The Right Amount Of Cosmetic
An obstacle to properly using products with a filter can also be too small an amount of the cosmetic applied. Manufacturers of UV protection creams test them in laboratory conditions, applying the right amount – 2 mg for every 1 square centimeter of skin. Only such an application allows you to achieve SPF protection at the level guaranteed by the manufacturer.
A method that is not 100% effective but is quick and works for many people is measuring the cream with two fingers. However, in this case, the risk of applying too little product still exists because other factors also affect it, such as the consistency of the product. If we want to be more precise, we can use the ellipse formula by substituting the dimensions of our face (length and width).
If we do not want to measure our face and then measure the right amount of cream, in the case of light, runny formulas, we can repeat the application after a while using the two-finger method. In the case of such consistencies, the cream should not roll on the skin.
Remember To Wash Off The Filters From Your Skin
When using UV protection products in the morning and replicating them during the day, we must remember to cleanse the skin well in the evening.
When To Use A Sunscreen
An SPF face cream should be used under makeup all year round. Currently, there are cosmetics available that can be selected for every skin type. Protective creams, used in the right amount, are the best anti-aging prophylaxis. That is because UVA radiation accompanies us all year round (even on cold, cloudy days), and the skin of your face is not indifferent to its effects.
In the summer and winter, apply a cream with a filter to other body parts. The sun has a more intense effect at altitude and also reflects off snow and ice—protection of the skin (its exposed parts) is therefore mandatory.
Sources
- Sunscreens and Photoprotection. NIH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537164/ - Sunburn. NIH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534837/ - Skin Cancer Prevention. NIH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519527/ - Sunscreens and Photoaging: A Review of Current Literature. NIH.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8361399/ - Biochemistry, Melanin. NIH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459156/ - Skin typing: Fitzpatrick grading and others. NIH.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31896400/ - Sunscreen and sun safety. NHS.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/ - Introduction to Sunscreens and Their UV Filters. NIH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587270/ - Choosing an expected sun protection factor value. NIH.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26454973/
