Our resident derm on what to look out for when choosing the ideal sun protection for your skin.
– KEYS SOULCARE
Sunshine might work wonders for the soul, but can be harsh on the skin. So, how do you get your glow on and keep yourself protected? Dr. Renée is back with the guidance you need to preserve your skin and love for the sun, all year-round. Our board certified dermatologist is giving you the rundown on all things SPF— including what it does and how to choose the protection that’s right for you.
WHY IS SUNSCREEN IMPORTANT FOR THE SKIN?
Sunlight consists of two types of harmful rays that reach the earth: UVA and UVB rays. Overexposure to either can lead to skin cancer. Each of these rays have different behavior in terms of skin health: UVA rays or the “aging rays” can prematurely age your skin, cause wrinkles and age spots, plus it can pass through window glass. In the United States, the incidence of skin cancer is higher on the left side of the face due to the UVA penetration through the driver’s side car window. UVB rays are considered the “burning rays” and are the primary cause of sunburn and are blocked by window glass.
Proper protection from the sun will make the greatest difference in how someone ages and looks in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and beyond. This is the best advice I give out of all the skin care advice I hash out daily: try to avoid or limit sun exposure to UV light or UV radiation since this is the primary cause of skin cancer, exterior skin aging, uneven pigmentation, and wrinkling of the skin. Seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, a wide brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection as well as applying sunscreen are all important behaviors to reduce your risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen products are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration, and scientific evidence supports the benefits of using sunscreen to minimize short-term and long-term damage to the skin from the sun’s rays.
Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least a 30, which blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays. Higher number SPF blocks slightly more of the sun’s rays, but no sunscreen can block 100% of the sun’s UVB rays.
A high number SPF lasts the same amount of time as a low number SPF product. (Translation? A high number SPF does not allow you to spend additional time outdoors without re-application). Sunscreen should be reapplied approximately every 80 minutes to two hours when outdoors, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
WHAT TYPE OF SUNSCREEN SHOULD I USE?
The kind of sunscreen you use is a matter of personal choice and may vary depending on the area of the body you want to protect. Creams are best for dry skin and for the face. Gels are good for hairy areas such as the scalp or male chest. Sticks are good to use around the eyes. Sprays are sometimes preferred by parents as they are easy to apply to children. If you have acne prone skin, you may want to use an oil free sunscreen. Some people prefer to use chemical sunscreens and some prefer mineral sunscreens. The best type of sunscreen is the one you will use again and again. Just make sure it offers broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection, has an SPF of 30 or higher, and is water resistant. There is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen.
IS PROTECTING THE SKIN FROM SUN ONLY IMPORTANT IN THE SUMMER MONTHS?
No! Even in overcast conditions, 80% of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can still get through. UVA are the longer, stronger “aging rays” of the sun and can make it to your skin on cloudy days. UVB rays that burn the skin tend to vary in intensity depending on the season and are greater on sunny days.
ARE SPF MOISTURIZERS AND SUNSCREEN THE SAME THING?
SPF moisturizers are not the same thing as sunscreen. If you have dry skin and need hydration, providing moisture while protecting it from sun rays will help keep your skin barrier healthy. The combination, while convenient, still has to be reapplied every two hours, especially when you are outdoors. A SPF moisturizer works as long as it contains broad spectrum coverage, meaning it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. SPF itself only relates to blocking UVB rays.
WHERE DOES SUNSCREEN FIT IN A SKINCARE RITUAL?
Sunscreens are formulated with protective ingredients and are intended to be placed last in your regimen, after your moisturizer. Trying to DIY a sunscreen-moisturizer combination on your own risks inactivating ingredients in both products and this can lead to sun damage. There are two types of agents that go into a sunscreen: a chemical sunscreen, such as avobenzone, absorbs the sun’s rays and releases it in the form of heat. (They act like a sponge.) The other components are physical sunscreens, like zinc oxide. (These work like a shield and create a barrier on your skin to block the sun.) Following an ordered ritual to keep these agents active and your skin protected. My recommended ritual:
Cleanse with our Golden Face Cleanser
Tone and hydrate the skin with our Reviving Aura Mist or Tranquil Essence
Apply a nourishing eye cream like our Radiant Revitalizing Eye Cream
Moisturize with our Promise Facial Serum for a skin-brightening boost of zinc and niacinamide
Layer on sunscreen with broad spectrum protection to shield your skin against UVA and UVB
Related Articles: Ask Dr. Renee: Sunshine and Skincare
What’s your favorite way to enjoy the sun (safely)? Drop your sunny day rituals in the comments!
The best type of sunscreen is the one you will use again and again. Just make sure it offers broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection, has an SPF of 30 or higher, and is water resistant. The kind of sunscreen you use is a matter of personal choice and may vary depending on the area of the body to be protected.
The best type of sunscreen is the one you will use again and again. Just make sure it offers broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection, has an SPF of 30 or higher, and is water resistant. The kind of sunscreen you use is a matter of personal choice and may vary depending on the area of the body to be protected.
Look for products that are labelled as "for all skin types" or "combination skin". Avoid sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as they can leave a white cast on the skin. Look for tinted sunscreens or those specifically designed for darker skin tones.
EltaMD's UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is a go-to for Tiffany J. Libby, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and the director of Mohs micrographic and dermatologic surgery at Brown Dermatology in East Providence, R.I.
SPF 50 offers 98% protection from UVB absorption. (10) SPF 60 filters out almost 98% of all UVB rays. SPF 70 offers 99% protection from UVB absorption.
UV Doux Silicone Sunscreen Gel SPF 50 PA+++ by Brinton Healthcare. Dermat's take: Dr Madhuri Agarwal, Founder and Medical Director of Yavana Skin Aesthetics, recommends UV Doux saying, “It has high SPF and PA factor, offers good broad spectrum sun protection and is also water resistant.
Many of the safest choices will be mineral-based instead of chemical-based sunscreens, said Emily Spilman, EWG's healthy living science program manager. “The mineral sunscreens zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are not absorbed by the skin, and they don't appear to harm the environment,” Spilman said.
What type of sunscreen is best? It doesn't really matter which brand of sunscreen you use as long as it contains the right ingredients. Sunscreen has two main types of ingredients: physical blockers (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) and chemical blockers (avobenzone, oxybenzone and others).
This is, by far, the most widely recommended sunscreen by dermatologists. And now we know why: It's a face sunscreen we've found is good for, well, just about everyone.
The formula is moisturizing, has a serum consistency, and is a great value for all the benefits it provides. However, I could have done without the tint, and the product made my skin a bit oily later in the day. I will use this sunscreen when I'm not wearing makeup, but I wouldn't use it every day.
For everyday-use sunscreen at a good price, you can't go wrong with this. If you're thinking, "Is it safe to use Neutrogena sunscreen?" the answer is yes. Concerns regarding Neutrogena sunscreen were raised because of oxybenzone (a common ingredient used in chemical sunscreens).
If studies showed that high SPF products were better at reducing skin damage and skin cancer risk, the extra chemical exposure might be justified. But they don't. So it's prudent to choose sunscreens with lower concentrations of active ingredients, for example SPF 30 instead of SPF 70.
Dermatologists say that using any sunscreen regularly is better than using none at all. ¹⁴ And when applied correctly, spray cans were found to be just as effective as lotion. So if using spray sunscreen means you're more likely to apply, we say go for it.
The highest SPF is 100 and blocks out 99% of UVB rays. But experts don't necessarily think SPF 100 sunscreen is the best choice. This is only slightly better than SPF 30 and 50 (which is blocks 98% of UVB rays).
What sunscreen should I buy? For day-to-day use, pick a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you spend time outdoors, choose a product with SPF 60 or greater. In reality, most people do not use as much sunscreen as they should, and this higher SPF helps compensate for the reduced application.
"Properly applied SPF 50 sunscreen blocks 98 percent of UVB rays, while an SPF 30 sunscreen blocks 97 percent of sunburn rays – the difference being one percentage point."
Mineral sunscreens are popular because they don't contain the chemicals found in chemical sunscreen. They're also better for people with sensitive skin, eczema, and acne-prone skin. That's because they're less likely to irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction, said Dr. Robinson.
Opt for gel-based sunscreens if you have oily skin or if you have normal in a highly humid environment. On the other hand, cream-based sunscreens are great for dry skin and normal to oily skin in a very dry irrid environment.
Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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