All About Sunscreen
- vidaavenida
- May 19, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: May 21, 2020
I learned and cared about sunscreen a little late in life, (my damaged facial skin says hello!) but I wanted to write a piece about sunscreens to help you navigate your options! Sunscreen is a crucial step in skin care! Everyone should be using sunscreen daily, rain or shine - men, women, and children over 6 months.
When used as directed, sunscreen decreases your risk of skin cancers and helps prevent premature skin aging (wrinkles, age spots, sagging). Sunscreen protects you from the damaging effects of UV rays. There are two main types of UV rays - UVA and UVB, and they affect your skin differently. UVA - think aging, UVB - think burning; both damage the DNA in your skin cells. UVA rays are the reason you should be wearing sunscreen indoors - they can penetrate windows and clouds. UVB rays are partially absorbed by the ozone layer; only about 5 percent of UV rays that reach the ground are UVB. Below is a chart I got from a healthline article depicting the differences between UVA and UVB:
Did you know that not all sunscreens protect you from both UVA and UVB rays? Bummer, I know. So, let's chat about the two types of sunscreens - physical (also called mineral or natural) and chemical. I personally prefer physical sunscreens but you can be the judge!
Physical Sunscreen
The main active ingredients are minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Physical sunscreens create a physical barrier between your skin and the sun's rays; it physically prevents rays from penetrating the skin.
Pros of Physical Sunscreen
+ Zinc oxide protects against both UVA and UVB rays + Usually the best option for sensitive skin / tends to be less irritating + More moisturizing + Offered in matte and tinted versions + Offer immediate protection + Preferred during pregnancy
Cons of Physical Sunscreen
+ Thicker formula that can feel heavy and be harder to blend in + May leave a white case due to the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (but there are options available to avoid that white cast) + May need to be reapplied more frequently than chemical sunscreen - can sweat off and rub off easily
Chemical Sunscreen
The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens include avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone. Once physical sunscreen absorbs into the skin, it absorbs the sun's rays, converts the rays into a small amount of heat, then releases the heat from your body.
Pros of Chemical Sunscreen
+ Thinner formula that is easier to blend and absorbs quickly into the skin + Doesn't leave a white film on the skin + Offers water-resistant formulation
Cons of Physical Sunscreen
+ Not ideal for sensitive or acne-prone skin + May exacerbate melasma and rosacea due to heat
+ Offers protection 20-30 minutes after application
+ Must be "broad spectrum" to protect you from UVA rays as well
What's the deal with SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The SPF number tells you how long you are protected from UVB rays only, compared to the amount of time you'd be protected without sunscreen. For example, if you use an SPF 30 product properly, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you did not use sunscreen.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97 percent of UVB rays. The increase in protection for SPFs higher than 30 are more gradual; SPF 50 blocks 98 percent and SPF 100 blocks 99 percent. Important note: Higher SPFs last the same amount of time as lower SPFs. People often mistakenly think that higher SPFs allow you to spend a longer amount of time between reapplications. Regardless of the SPF number, reapply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors, or immediately after sweating or coming into contact with water.
How Should I Pick a Sunscreen?
All the research I went through had similar answers to this question - pick a sunscreen you'll use often and as recommended. Ultimately, the type of sunscreen you choose is based on personal choice and your skin type. Here are a few things the American Academy of Dermatology recommends to make sure your sunscreen offers:
+ Broad spectrum protection (protection against UVA and UVB rays) + Has an SPF of 30 or higher + Water-resistant + Paraben and fragrance-free
I have been using a physical sunscreen sold by my facialist and I have loved it the past year and a half. It does not leave a white cast and comes in a tinted formulation that leaves me with a healthy glow. However, I recently purchased three products from Supergoop that I'm very excited to try! I'll update you on my thoughts once I've tried the items for a few weeks.
Although sunscreen is crucial, it is not enough to keep you safe in the sun! The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends seeking shade when possible, wearing sun-safe clothing, UV-blocking sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat as a sun protection strategy.
Harvard Medical School discusses misinformation and myths about sunscreen in this article.
Aaaaand if you want to read further, here are a few links where I found detailed, easy to read sunscreen information. Enjoy!
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