What Is SPF Sunscreen?

What Is SPF Sunscreen?

As summer arrives, we often see cosmetic companies endorse sun protectants and SPF Sunscreen. These products have marvelous effects in protecting our skin from harmful UV rays. We all know why we should apply these products, but have you ever thought What Is SPF Sunscreen? And how this product works. 

Before understanding Sunscreen, you need to have a clear idea about SPF. SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, measures how well a sunscreen will protect skin from UVB rays and other kinds of radiation that damage our skin, cause sunburn, and eventually lead to skin cancer.

To know the SPF factor of a sunscreen several laboratory tests are carried out on an untanned patch of a human volunteer. In this step, sunscreen is applied to the skin patch and then they are exposed to UV lamp-simulated sunlight. The number of seconds taken by the skin patch to slightly redden when covered in sunscreen is divided by the number of seconds it takes when no sunscreen is applied to determine the value of SPF. 

According to India’s Ministry of Consumers Affairs, sunscreen must have a SPF ranging between 22.46 to 34.66. 

A SPF also defines the time our skin can stay in the sunlight without burning. For example, If your skin normally burns after 10 minutes of being in the sun, applying an SPF 30 sunscreen would allow you to stay in the sun without burning for approximately 300 minutes. 

SPF sunscreen shows marvelous results in protecting our skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun. Sunscreen is the most common form of skincare and helps reduce the chances of skin damage and skin cancer under the sun. these products are known to use chemical compounds like oxybenzone and avobenzone to filter out harmful rays from the sun. SPF sunscreen is light and absorbs like any other lotion. These products can be with or without a tint, making them the ideal choice for daily use. You can also incorporate sunscreen into your makeup routine to have healthy and younger-looking skin. 

Marvelous Benefits of Using a Good Quality SPF Sunscreen

Our skin is the largest organ of our body and has many essential functions. So, it is very crucial to maintain its optimum health and protect it from any harmful factors. Sunscreen is known to offer amazing benefits to our skin. So, let’s go through some of them. 

• Lowers the signs of aging - Repeated exposure to the sun can damage the skin cells, elastins, and collagen leading to premature signs of aging including wrinkles and skin discoloration. But a regular use of sunscreen can minimize these signs making your skin youthful. 
• Reduces the chances of sunburn -  Too much exposure to sunlight can also result in painful burns that cause discomfort. These sunburns can also eventually lead to skin damage or skin cancer in severe conditions. So, it is recommended to use good-quality sunscreen before heading out.  
• Limits the appearance of the sunspots and discoloration - Sunspots and discoloration are caused by hyperpigmentation that happens on unprotected exposure to the sun. Using an SPF sunscreen can help to prevent these conditions.
• Reduces the risk of Skin cancer - Wearing your Sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days is the the best way to reduce the chances of skin cancer. It is recommended to use a minimum of SPF 30 sunscreen multiple times a day to experience its benefits. A higher SPF is seen to have prolonged action.  

Types of SPF Sunscreen Available in the Market 

By this time, we all know why it is essential to use a high SPF and good quality sunscreen daily. But now the question arises-What type of sunscreen is best for you? There are mainly two types of sunscreen available and choosing an ideal one can be a daunting task. So, let's get a general overview of these types. 

Mineral Sunscreen - Mineral Sunscreen is known as Physical Sunscreen as it deposits itself on the skin’s outermost surface level and physically restricts UV rays from reaching the skin. This type of sunscreen contains Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide and acts as a shield to protect your skin by blocking the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun. Mineral sunscreen takes a bit of time to get absorbed, so make sure to apply this sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before going out in the sun.   

Chemical Sunscreen - Chemical Sunscreen is the opposite of mineral sunscreen, as it penetrates deep into the skin as it works by absorbing the UV rays and converting them into heat before releasing them from the skin. This sunscreen contains ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, octisalate, homosalate, avobenzone, or combinations that initiate this chemical reaction. 

How to Choose Good Quality SPF Sunscreen

Choosing a good quality and effective sunscreen can seem like a difficult task but with proper knowledge, it can be made easy. So, consider the listed tips to select an ideal sunscreen next them you go out shopping. 

• Select a cream that offers a broad SPF spectrum including SPF 30 or higher. 
• Always choose the sunscreen based on your skin. If you have dry skin go for moisturising sunscreen with hydrating ingredients. If you have oily skin, then a water-based sunscreen is the ideal choice for you. 
• Read the label and check all the ingredients carefully. 
• Understand the pros and cons of mineral and chemical sunscreen carefully and decide which one suits you better. 
• Keep an eye out for additional beneficial factors like Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and many others.
• Try to choose a lightweight formula that can make sunscreen quickly absorbs into the skin.      

Conclusion

SPF sunscreens are seen to have marvelous benefits in protecting our skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun and other environmental aggressors. Daily use of these skincare products reduces the chances and risks of early aging, sunburn, and skin cancer while nourishing the skin.