UV Protection: Top 5 sunblocks we’ve fallen in love with
Are you a little bit lost when it comes to the different varieties of sunscreen? We’ll tell you exactly what to look for in a perfect product.
There’s no doubt that we all love that post-holiday sun-kissed glow, but have you considered the effect of all that sunbathing on your skin? While a little bit of sun won’t hurt, excess exposure can break down the collagen and elastin in your skin, causing wrinkles, discolouration, and freckles, not to mention increasing the risk of melanoma. So it’s time to ask: how are you protecting your skin against harmful UV rays?
2 types of UV rays to worry about
UVA rays, the ones most responsible for giving you that radiant tan, can also age skin cells and cause long-term skin damage such as wrinkles. They are also thought to play a role in some skin cancers. Most tanning beds give off large amounts of UVA, some as much as 12 times that of the sun.
UVB rays have slightly more energy than UVA rays. They can damage your skin cells’ DNA directly, and are the main rays that cause sunburns. They are also thought to cause most skin cancers. UVB rays can be dangerous and you should protect yourself against them as best as you can.
Finding the right sunblock for your skin
Here is what to look out for: SPF (Sun Protection Factor). The value demonstrates the effectiveness of protection against UVB rays, as well as the degree of protection against UVB when nothing is applied on the skin. For example, SPF30 means that the UV protection product is 30 times more effective at guarding against skin redness from the sun than when nothing is applied.
Steps to full coverage and protection
Once you have found the right sunblock, it is ideal that UV protection application should be the last step of your morning skincare routine – after applying moisturiser or serums. Always apply sunblock several minutes before you head out, to allow the product to absorb into your skin.
Reapply UV protection every 2 to 3 hours. Always use a damp towel or facial wipes to clean off dirt or sweat before doing this to prevent congestion.
When shopping for a sun protection product, remember to stick to lotions that don’t contain Oxybenzone or Retinyl Palmitate, and stay away from any products with an SPF higher than 50 – your body will love you.
Jeanette Goh
