Sunscreen is the most important tool in any girl’s beauty arsenal. It protects the skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays that can cause sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. To get the most out of your sunscreen application, keep reading.
Everything You Need to Know About SPF
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, refers to the level of sun protection that the sunscreen offers. Most sunscreens protect the skin from UVA rays, which cause wrinkles, discolorations, and skin cancer, as well as UVB rays, which are responsible for sun burns. An SPF 15 product blocks approximately 94% of UVB rays, while an SPF 45 product can block approximately 97%. This may sound like a small difference, but it can be crucial during a long day on the beach.
Pesky UVA Rays
SPF is a measure of how well a sunscreen protects the skin from UVB rays. UVA rays, on the other hand, are harder to quantify. To ensure that you’re being protected from the rays responsible for premature aging, look for sunscreens that offer broad spectrum protection. When choosing a sunscreen, look for one that contains either zinc oxide or avobenzone, the two most popular ingredients for protecting the skin from unnecessary UVA damage.
Are You Using Enough?
Most people underestimate the amount of sunscreen they need to use. According to dermatologists, people should apply two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin. This translates to about two tablespoons worth of sunscreen to the exposed skin. If you’re worried about running out of sunscreen on your next vacation, consider buying sunscreen in bulk. Rocky Mountain Sunscreen, for example, sells sunscreen in large quantities and in family size containers. You should also make sure to reapply regularly. If you’re spending an extended period of time in the sun, you need to reapply at least once every two hours.
Do I Need to Apply Everyday?
To ensure that you’re getting the most protection, you should apply sunscreen to the face every day. Even if you’re just going to work or running errands, sunscreen is necessary to ward off harmful UVA rays. They can penetrate windows and clouds, and therefore cause incremental damage when you’re not expecting it. Also, don’t rely on liquid foundation with SPF. They may contain SPF, but most people don’t apply enough foundation to get the full protection.
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