It's no secret that the beauty and skincare industry often sees trends in a variety of products. You may have noticed that sunscreens for the face became popular on social media about a few years ago, which is very pleasing! What makes this trend different is that sunscreens are not some unnecessary fashion craze or just another pretty but unused cream on the shelf. It effectively protects the skin against ageing, pigment spots and, most importantly, reduces the risk of skin cancer. Read on to find out more about sunscreens.
What are sunscreens?
Sunscreens or other sunscreens are defined as products that contain substances that protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation by absorbing, reflecting, scattering or otherwise redirecting UV photons and preventing them from reaching skin components.
What is the difference between chemical and physical filters in SPF products?
Traditionally, sunscreens are divided into physical (mineral) or chemical sunscreens. Physical or mineral sunscreens work by physically blocking the penetration of UV radiation into the skin by reflecting or scattering light. The most common physical sunscreens are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Both block UVA and UVB radiation and are well tolerated by the skin, with a low risk of skin irritation. Chemical filters work by absorbing harmful UV rays and converting them into harmless longer-wave radiation. The most common chemical sunscreens are oxybenzone, octinoxate and avobenzone.
There are also products that contain both physical and chemical filters.
Chemical filters: advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- It is generally lighter in texture, spreads more easily, and allows make-up to come off nicely.
- Evenly distributed on the skin, so there is no risk of unprotected areas of skin after sunscreen application.
- Usually does not leave a "white trace" on the skin.
Disadvantages:
- Takes 10-15 minutes to take effect after application.
- Increased chance of irritation (especially for those with a damaged barrier) due to several ingredients combined to provide broad spectrum protection.
- Increased chance of redness on sensitive and redness-prone skin due to the conversion of UV rays into heat.
- When exposed to direct UV rays, does not last as long as physical sunscreens, requiring more frequent reapplication.
- Many chemical filters are not safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding!
Physical filters: advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Protects against UVA and UVB rays (naturally broad spectrum).
- Protects the skin from harmful radiation immediately after application, no need to wait for it to take effect.
- It lasts longer than chemical sunscreens when exposed to direct UV rays. Attention - this is not valid for physical activities that cause the skin to get wet or sweaty!
- Products with these filters are less likely to irritate the skin, as this type of sunscreen deflects the sun's heat and is therefore better suited to sensitive and red-prone skin.
- Products containing physical filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Disadvantages:
- Rubs off and washes off quite easily, requiring more frequent reapplication, especially during vigorous physical activity or bathing.
- There is a possibility that a 'white veil' may remain on the skin after application.
- Usually with a thicker, heavier texture, it will take more effort to blend nicely.
- Will not provide reliable protection if not applied liberally as recommended by manufacturers or professionals.
What do the numbers and other markings on sunscreens mean?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and the number next to it indicates how well the sunscreen protects the skin against sunburn. It does not indicate how long you can stay in the sun, but rather how long it takes for untanned skin to start turning red if it is covered with sunscreen compared to how long it takes for it to turn red without sunscreen. It is actually quite confusing, but it is still important for us to find out what the difference is between, for example, SPF30 and SPF50.
First of all, it is important to stress that the SPF only indicates the strength of protection against UVB radiation. There is currently no single standardised indicator for protection against UVA radiation. In European countries, it is usually indicated by the simple phrase "broad spectrum", while in Asian countries there is the designation "PA" with a "+" symbol next to it. This means that the more pluses next to "PA", the more effective the product is at protecting the skin from UVA radiation.
In the shop, you can usually find products with SPF 30 or SPF 50. Thus, studies have shown that SPF30 intercepts about 97% of UVB rays and SPF50 intercepts more than 98% of UVB rays.
However, this does not mean that you can expect effective sun protection by applying an SPF product all day long. They remain effective for about 2 hours, or even less if you're active or if your skin is in contact with water, such as when swimming. Since many people
How do I use sunscreen?
To achieve effective results, you should apply a sunscreen with an SPF at regular intervals during the day (every 2 hours or more) and the amount of sunscreen you apply should be around 2 mg/cm2. As it would be very difficult to calculate the amount of cream or lotion needed from this figure, there are other fairly reliable "calculation methods". For example, for the face alone, about half a teaspoon of sunscreen would be needed per application. Alternatively, the two-finger rule can be applied by squeezing two strips of sunscreen on the index and middle fingers, from the crease of the palm to the fingertips.
How do I choose the right sunscreen?
Since the advantages and disadvantages of mineral and chemical sunscreens have already been discussed above, let's summarise again very briefly. This should make your decision easier when choosing a product.
First of all, we recommend that everyone, without exception, chooses sunscreens with SPF50. Although the difference between SPF30 and SPF50 is only about 1 per cent, a number of studies have shown that people use creams incorrectly - too little, too little refreshing, and therefore the products don't do the job 100 per cent. So if there is an opportunity to choose the highest possible protection, let's do it!
Whether you choose a mineral or a chemical cream should be decided according to your needs. For example, if you choose a cream for everyday use, whether you are going to work or to the city, a cream with chemical filters is probably a better option. It will often be lighter, won't leave a white residue and will set your make-up more nicely. If you need sun protection when you're outdoors, then you might prefer a mineral cream. Creams with these sunscreens are also recommended for those with overly sensitive skin that is prone to redness, as well as during pregnancy and lactation.
If you haven't found your favourite sunscreen yet, visit our online shop rossi.lt. Here you will find a wide selection of sunscreens, including the most popular Korean sunscreens!
