Sunscreen- the greatest skincare weapon

Applying sunscreen is vital

Sunscreen is by far the greatest weapon in any skincare routine. Without sunscreen, you might as well throw away your targeted serums or skin treatments.

Sunscreen is the first line of defence from the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays as well as blue light from smart devices.

Dermatologists around the world recommend using sunscreen every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating, because sunscreen wears off.

Even if indoors, sunscreen should still be used because UV rays can pass through glass windows. Also, being in front of a computer, exposes the skin to light that can damage the skin.

If one is trying to treat pigmentation, all efforts are likely to fail if sunscreen is not being applied in the daytime.

Sunscreen also lowers the risks of getting skin cancer.

Do people of skin skin of color (dark skinned people) need to wear sunscreen?

Sunscreen is for everyone. Often people with skin of color claim they don’t need sunscreen, but this is just a myth. 

However, people with skin of color do have some sort of natural protection from the sun’s harmful rays. This is because they naturally produce more melanin, which is responsible for skin color. This absorbs some of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays.

It must be remembered that dark skinned people also burn in the sun.

In addition, people with skin of color suffer more from having an uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation than Caucasian skin. Hyperpigmentation is when certain parts of the face, for instance around the mouth area, or nose, is darker than the rest of the face.

This happens because these problematic areas produce more melanin than the rest of the skin. Sunscreen can help prevent hyperpigmentation.

Types of sunscreen

There are two types of sunscreens; physical, also referred to as mineral, and chemical. 

Chemical sunscreens allow UV light into the skin. Once the light is absorbed into the skin, the chemicals in the sunscreen create a chemical reaction in which UV light is converted to heat, and the heat dissipates from the skin.

Physical sunscreens on the other hand creates a physical barrier on the skin and reflects UV radiation away from your skin.

Both types of sunscreens shield the skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV light.

Ingredients in sunscreens

The most popular ingredients in physical sunscreens are zinc and titanium dioxide while chemical sunscreen ingredients include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, or octinoxate.

Chemical sunscreens

Pros

• Generally speaking, they do not leave a white cast on the face.
• They are easy to find when shopping 
• Spreads easily and blends well into the skin

Cons

• Takes about 20 minutes before it takes effect
• Can also clog pores and be problematic for acne-prone skin. 
• Because chemical sunscreens release heat it can cause problems for those with sensitive and rosacea-prone skin, as well as people with hyperpigmentation. The heated skin can cause an increase in existing brown spots and pigmentation. 
• It does allow some UVA exposure

Physical/ mineral sunscreens

Pros

• Offers full protection from UVA and UVB rays.
• No need to wait for it to take effect because it’s effective immediately
• Less likely to clog pores

Cons

• Notorious for leaving a white caste
• A wide variety is not available in many countries

Now that you know more about the different types of sunscreen, it is time to focus on SPF ratings.

What does SFP on sunscreen packaging mean?

SPF stands for sun protection factor. The number indicates how long one can stay in the sun without getting burned while wearing it. As an example, if it generally takes a person 15 minutes to burn without sunscreen and an SPF 30 is applied, it will take 30 times longer to burn in the sun, provided that it does not wear off. 

So don’t be fooled into thinking that a higher SPF rating means that the sunscreen will perform better.

Sunscreens with PA ratings

• The PA rating system was developed in Japan. It stands for Protection Grade of UVA rays. It indicates the level of protection from UVA rays.
• PA+ means some UVA protection.
• PA++ means moderate UVA protection. 
• PA+++ means high UVA protection.
• PA++++ means extremely high UVA protection.

Korean sunscreens with PA ratings have taken the beauty industry by storm. One of the reasons is that a lot of these Korean sunscreens are lightweight, non-greasy, spreadable, and easy to wear.

Sunscreen and makeup

• Sunscreen should be applied as the last step of your skincare routine before you start applying makeup.
• Even if you wear makeup, you still need to apply sunscreen at the recommended two hour interval.
• A powdered sunscreen works well to apply on top of make-up during the day. However, the drawback with this is that in some countries, it may not be readily available or affordable for some people.
• You can also use a compact SPF sunscreen. However, this too might not be readily available and too expensive in some countries.
• Another option is to spread the sunscreen on your hand and pat in on your face to prevent make-up from smudging.
• If you find this is not working then opt for a tinted sunscreen that matches your skin the closest.
• Try using a beauty sponge. Put the sunscreen on it and then blot it as you would your foundation.
• You could also just carry your make-up for touch-ups after applying sunscreen.
• Experiment with what works best for you and choose that option.

The forms that sunscreens come in

• Lotions
• Sprays
• Gels
• Foams
• Powders
• Sticks
• Compacts

What should you bear in mind when it comes to sunscreen?

• Look for sunscreens that say broad-spectrum on the packaging. This means that it will block out both UVA and UVB rays.
• Opt for a sunscreen that has an SPF factor of 30 or higher.
• If you have oily, acne-prone skin then opt for water-based sunscreens.
• For even application, avoid using sunscreen sprays
• Check the expiry date of your sunscreen
• Despite what is said, sunscreens are not really waterproof or sweatproof.

Tips to protect your skin

• Apply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you suffer from pigmentation or uneven skin.
• For the face and neck, use half a teaspoon of sunscreen and spread evenly.
• When outdoors don’t just just rely on sunscreen. Wear a hat and protective clothing.
• If swimming, consider using a water-resistant sunscreen. 

https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/essential-facts-about-sunscreen/

https://www.allure.com/gallery/best-sunscreen-dark-skin-tones

https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=157004