Understanding Sunscreen vs. SPF
Sunscreen and SPF (Sun Protection Factor) are our skin’s superheroes, shielding our skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
Sunscreen acts like a shield or barrier, available in various forms like lotions, creams, and sprays. It works by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering UV rays, protecting our skin from the harmful rays of the sun.
SPF is sunscreen’s superpower rating, indicating its effectiveness against sunburn caused by UVB rays. The higher the SPF number, the better the protection. For instance, SPF 30 means it takes 30 times longer for your skin to burn compared to no sunscreen.
In essence, sunscreen protects your skin, while SPF measures its UVB defence. Together, they’re vital for preventing sunburn, premature aging, skin sagging and skin cancer.
How SPF Works
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, measures sunscreen’s effectiveness against UVB rays, which causes sunburn and increase risk in skin cancer. Though it doesn’t directly address UVA rays, SPF is essential for sun protection.
When you apply SPF sunscreen, its active ingredients form a shield on your skin. Here’s how it works:
- Absorption: Some sunscreen ingredients absorb UV radiation, converting it into harmless heat. Chemical filters like avobenzone and oxybenzone technically do this.
- Reflection and Scattering: Other ingredients physically deflect UV rays from your skin. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide commonly do this.
Together, these actions reduce UVB radiation reaching your skin, minimizing sunburn and long-term damage risks.
Understanding SPF Numbers
SPF numbers indicate how well sunscreen blocks UVB rays. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- If your skin burns in 5-10 minutes of sun without sunscreen, SPF 30 extends that time to about 300 minutes.
- SPF 50 extends it to around 500 minutes, and SPF 15 gives about 150 minutes of protection.
But remember, SPF isn’t linear. SPF 30 doesn’t mean twice the protection of SPF 15. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 15 blocks around 93%.
No sunscreen provides 100% protection, so reapply as often as you can, especially after swimming or sweating, and seek shade during peak sun hours.
In short, SPF reduces UVB exposure, lowering sunburn and skin damage risks. Higher SPF numbers offer better protection, but always use and reapply sunscreen correctly for effective defence.
Sunscreen Indoors – Why you should wear sunscreen at all times even when you’re inside?
Wearing sunscreen indoors is crucial for shielding your skin from UV rays and blue light radiation penetrating from mobile phones, house lights & other electronic devices too, maintaining its health, and preventing long-term damage, making it an essential part of your skincare routine, indoors or outdoors.
UV Exposure Through Windows: Glass windows may block some UVB rays but still allow harmful UVA rays, leading to skin aging and cancer risks.
- Exposure During Commute: Being near windows during your commute or at work exposes you to UV radiation, which can accumulate and damage your skin over time.
- Artificial Light Sources: Some indoor lights emit UV radiation, less than sunlight, still impacting your skin, especially if you’re UV-sensitive.
- Protecting Skin Health: Applying sunscreen indoors prevents UV damage, reducing skin cancer, premature aging, hyper pigmentation & uneven skin tone risks.
- Added Protection Against Blue Light: Sunscreen shields your skin from blue light emitted by electronic devices, minimizing long-term skin damage.
Types Of Sunscreen
Both chemical and physical sunscreens offer effective protection against UV radiation, but they have distinct characteristics and ingredients. Chemical sunscreens are lightweight and blend easily but may cause irritation in some individuals and raise environmental concerns.
On the other hand, physical sunscreens provide gentle, immediate protection with fewer environmental impacts but may leave a white residue and require more effort to apply. Ultimately, the choice between them depends on individual preferences, skin type, and specific needs.
Broad Spectrum Protection
When it comes to sunscreen, SPF alone isn’t enough. While it measures protection against UVB rays (the ones causing sunburn), it doesn’t cover UVA rays, which can lead to aging, wrinkles, sagging and cancer.
That’s where broad-spectrum sunscreen steps in. It shields against both UVA and UVB rays, offering complete defence against sun damage like wrinkles
and skin cancer. Always choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen for total protection against sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Don’t rely only on
SPFonly; opt for broad-spectrum to shield yourself from all harmful UV radiation.
Here are some simple and effective tips for applying sunscreen
- Apply Generously: Cover all exposed skin generously with sunscreen, about one ounce for adults.
- Apply Early: Put on sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outside to let it soak into your skin.
- Cover Everything: Don’t miss spots like ears, neck, lips, tops of feet, and scalp (if not covered by hair).
- Reapply Every Two Hours: Reapply sunscreen every two hours, regardless of SPF, or more often if swimming or sweating. Water-resistant sunscreen wears off over time.
- After Swimming or Sweating: Reapply sunscreen after swimming or sweating, as towel drying can remove it.
- No Skipping on Cloudy Days: UV rays penetrate clouds, so wear sunscreen even on cloudy days.
- Choose Broad-Spectrum: Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen to shield against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Daily Use: Apply sunscreen daily, even indoors, as UV rays can pass through windows.
- Reapply During Extended Exposure: If you’re out for a long time, reapply sunscreen more frequently, especially between 10 AM to 4 PM.
Following these tips ensures you protect your skin from UV radiation, reducing the risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Sunscreen is your skin’s best defence, so make applying and reapplying a routine for complete protection.
Choosing the Right Sunscreen for Your Skin Type
Oily Skin
- Opt for oil-free or non-comedogenic formulas.
- Choose lightweight, gel-based, or matte-finish sunscreens.
- Look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum protection without adding oil.
Dry Skin
- Select sunscreens with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin.
- Cream or lotion-based options provide extra moisture and prevent dryness.
Available at
https://www.nykaa.com/search/result/?q=sunscreen for dry skin&root=search&searchType=Manual&sourcepage=Search+Page
Sensitive Skin
- Choose “hypoallergenic” or “fragrance-free” sunscreens.
- Go for physical (mineral) sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
- Always do a patch test to avoid irritation.
Regardless of your skin type or specific concerns, it’s essential to choose a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection (UVA and UVB) and an SPF of 30 or higher. Remember to apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours or more frequently if swimming or sweating.