Sunscreens should be an essential part of a skincare routine. It protects the skin from harmful UV rays that can lead to tan, sunburn, hyperpigmentation, and early signs of ageing. You must apply it every day, even if you are not planning to step out in the sun. This is because UV-B rays can penetrate the windows and damage your skin.
When buying a sunscreen cream for face and body, you must pay attention to its SPF to get optimum protection. Here, in this blog, we will discuss what SPF is and how it works.
What is SPF?
SPF or Sun Protection Factor of sunscreen is how well it will protect your skin under the sun. Its value determines the time it takes for a patch of skin to redden under the sun. For instance, if your skin starts burning under the sun within 10 minutes, wearing SPF 30 will give your skin about 300 minutes (10*30= 300 minutes) to redden.
A sunscreen cream for the face must have a high SPF value to protect you from the harmful rays of the sun. An SPF 30 sunscreen will block 96.7% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 crème will block 98% of UVB rays. Wearing good-quality sunscreen with decent SPF is essential for protection against the sun. However, dermatologists recommend reapplication every two hours for optimum protection. If your exposure is high, protect yourself with SPF 50 crème. It will act as a shield over your skin and reduce the risk of sun damage.
How does SPF work?
UVB rays can damage the outer layers of the skin while UVA rays seep into the dermal layers. A sunscreen with SPF will reflect or absorb these rays to protect your skin. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Try Lotus Herbals Safe Sun Silk Touch Mattifying UV Crème SPF 50, which provides broad-spectrum UVA & UVB protection with a smooth after-feel. This non-greasy formulation gives the skin a light, clean feel without clogging the pores. In addition, it protects the skin from pollution.
Other than these, a few factors weigh-in for a sunscreen to work properly:
- Your skin type: Whether you have sensitive skin or normal skin will also affect the effectiveness of your sunscreen. A sunscreen with lower SPF can work well for people with normal skin. On the other hand, sensitive skin needs high SPF to be protected.
- Weather conditions: The weather conditions where you live or visit also play an essential role in your sunscreen’s effectiveness. A lower SPF would be enough if the weather conditions are on the colder side, with little to no sunshine. However, if the weather is on the hotter side, with scorching sun heat, you need to wear a high SPF 50 crème for higher protection. It is essential to reapply the lotion or sunscreen cream for the face and neck every two hours in harsh heat conditions.
- Perspiration: How much you sweat under sun exposure is also a factor to consider if you want your sunscreen to work properly. People who sweat a lot need to reapply more often. This is because sweat washes all the product off your skin surface. Therefore, it needs to be applied again to protect you against UV rays.
- Ingredients: Opt for a sunscreen with natural ingredients like avocado, rich in antioxidants that protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by sun exposure.
- Layers: You must cover yourself well with full clothing, sunscreen, and a hat when stepping out in the sun. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen to the exposed areas. Do not miss the generally overlooked areas like palms, ears, and eyelids.
In conclusion, it is essential to know how much SPF you must wear to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. With the help of natural sunscreens, you can be sure that your skin will not get damaged due to the high chemical content in the product. Try Lotus Herbals’ range of sunscreens made of natural ingredients that are suitable for skin whitening products.
