I have already talked about a few sunscreen myths here, here and here but there seem to be so many misconceptions about this essential product that I thought it was important to set the record straight on a few more. After all, not knowing enough about sunscreen and when to apply them, can cause a lot of harm to our skin. So, let’s get started:

1. I already have a “base tan” so I don’t need to wear sunscreen

First of all, there is no such thing as a healthy tan. A tan, whether you got it from sun exposure or a tanning bed, is a sign that your skin is damaged and it is absolutely not a substitute for sunscreen. While it is true that a tan may give your skin a tiny little bit more protection from burning, your skin can still burn. And in any case, that won’t protect you from all the damage (like premature aging and cancer) the sun can do to your skin. So, always, always, wear sunscreen, even if you already have a tan.

2. If I stay in the shade, sunscreen is not necessary

Again, this is false. Although you should always seek the shade whenever possible (or wear a hat or even use an umbrella), you still need to wear sunscreen. That’s because shades don’t completely block all the sun rays, leaving your skin exposed to damage if not properly protected.

3. SPF 30 is twice as strong as SPF 15

I wish! While I think it is very important to wear a high protection factor every day, especially when you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, the truth is, that there really isn’t that much difference between SPF 15 and SPF 30. A sunscreen with SPF 15 can block out about 93% of the sun rays while one with SPF 30 about 97%. Higher factors can block out about 98% or 99%, but the assumption that the protection provided is proportionally increased by higher SPF factors is wrong. And most expert think that SPF 15 is enough for daily wear, although I personally think that if you’re going to the beach or spending a lot of time outdoors, it’s best to use at least SPF 30.

4. Sunscreens block out all UV rays

Again all I can say is, I wish! The truth is that no sunscreen, not even those labelled SPF 100, can completely block out all UV rays. Some can block out 97% or 98%, like we’ve seen above, but there always is a small percentage of rays that won’t be blocked out. In addition, there are lots of sunscreens on the market that protect only from UVB and not UVA rays. These offer only partial protection and should be avoided so be sure to check the label carefully before purchasing.

Do you know any other sunscreen myths you’d like to bust?

We all know that sun exposure is bad for us. It causes premature aging, sun spots, cancer.. We certainly don’t want that, but we can’t stay all day locked up inside, can we? And are we really safe inside, anyway? Well, if you follow these 4 simple tips you will be safe everywhere, whether you’re at home, driving, or spending time outdoors:

1. Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed skin areas

Did you know that most people only apply 1/3 to 1/2 of the recommended amount of sunscreen? That’s because they only use a small amount and that just won’t do! To get the level of SPF stated on the bottle, you need to apply a thick layer of sunscreen on all areas that are gonna be exposed to the sun, including your ears, neck, hands and lips. It is true that some sunscreens are too thick, greasy and goopey, which can put you off from applying them liberally or even daily! However, that just means they’re not suitable for your skin type so keep experimenting until you find one that feels comfortable on your skin.

2. Use mineral powders with SPF throughout the day

Although some sunscreen ingredients are more stable than others, they all can degrade and lose their efficacy when exposed to sunlight, which is why it is important to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. But that’s not really possible when you have a full face of makeup on, is it? So, what can you do? You can dust on a mineral powder with SPF (ie one that contains either Titanium Dioxide and/or Zinc Oxide). Although powders don’t protect your skin as well as a sunscreen does and thus should never be used as a substitute for it, if you spend most of your day indoors, they are a good way  to touch up your sunscreen throughout the day. But if you’re spending hours outdoors, swimming or sweating, then you’ll just have to reapply sunscreen as a powder just won’t provide adequate protection.

3. Beware of windows

UVA rays (the type that causes premature aging and contributes to cancer) can pass through windows and thus cause damage to your skin. So, remember to always wear sunscreen before you get into your car and try not to spend too much time near a window. For more protection, you can consider tinting your car windows and put sheds on your windows (even on those in your office).

4. Wear sun protective clothes and accessories

Most clothes only provide 5 to 9 SPF, so if you like to spend a lot of time in the sun, you should invest in some sun protective clothing that can offer up to SPF 50. Also, wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV ray protection (keep in mind though that dark lenses don’t necessarily protect from the sun rays so look for a model that claim to offer protection against both UVA and UVB rays instead) to protect your eyes, and a wide-brimmed hat (choose an opaque, tightly-woven one) to protect your scalp and hair.

Have you got any other sun protection tips you can share?

When you apply sunscreen in the morning, don’t forget to slather some on your hands, and especially on the back of them, as well. Hands are one of the first places of the body to age which is not surprising as they are exposed to the sun whenever we go out. And we’re not completely safe from those harmful sun rays when we’re indoors either, especially if we are staying near a window.

Because of it, we should pay as much attention to our hands as we do to our faces. After all, what’s the point of spending lots of money and time to have young-looking, smooth skin on our faces if our wrinkly hands will give our real age away? Be sure to protect your mitts daily with a broad spectrum sunscreen or, in alternative, with a hand cream that contains SPF 15 or higher.

Your hands will thank you for it!

Powders with SPF can seem a great alternative to sunscreen, especially if you have oily skin. They don’t feel oily or greasy on the skin, help control oil production and make your makeup last longer. But do they offer adequate sun protection too?

How much powder do I need for reliable protection?

Powders with SPF can provide the level of protection stated on the packaging, but only if applied liberally, which is impossible to do. According to Dr Leslie Baumann, “when scientists test facial powders to determine SPF (as mandated by the FDA), they typically assume that 2mg of product will be used per cm2 of skin. The average face is about 600cm2 (although that varies from person to person, of course), meaning that a person needs to apply about 1.2g of facial powder to get the SPF stated on the product’s label. Studies show that most women only apply about 0.085g of powder at a time. In a nutshell, you’d have to apply 14 times the amount of powder you usually do to be sufficiently protected against the sun!” There is no way anyone could apply that much powder to their faces, even if they want to!

So, are powders with SPF useless then?

No, they aren’t. While powders with SPF aren’t a substitute for sunscreen, they can enhance sun protection if applied over sunscreen or foundation with SPF. And if you need to do any touch ups throughout the day (provided that you don’t spend too much time outdoors, especially during the hot summer days), a powder with SPF is a good way to do it: this way you’ll be reapplying both your makeup and sunscreen. But make sure that your powder contains psychical sunscreen ingredients (Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide) as chemical ones need to get into contact with the skin to be activated and so, if applied on top of makeup, they won’t provide much protection at all. But in any case, powders with SPF are always good to set your makeup and keep oil at bay.

Do you use powders with SPF?

As everyone knows by now, UV rays are dangerous and can do a lot of damage to our skin. So it’s extremely important that we wear a broad spectrum sunscreen daily and, if you’re a parent or in charge of a kid, apply it on children’s skin as well. Their skin is more delicate, sensitive and thinner than that of adults and that’s why there are lots of sunscreens on the market designed for the little ones. But is it really necessary to buy two bottles of sunscreen, one for you and one for your child? Or is it just marketing’s hype? Well, a little bit of both in my opinion.

Sunscreen ingredients are the same

It doesn’t matter whether a sunscreen is marketed for kids or adults, the ingredients that offer sun protection are exactly the same for everyone. The only important thing is that the sunscreen you choose contains both UVA and UVB filters (unfortunately there are still too many products that only include the latter), namely: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Avonebenzone, Tinosorb and Mexoryl. If none of these ingredients are present in the bottle, don’t bother buying it as it won’t protect you from the entire UV spectrum.

The differences between adult and children sunscreen

Before we start talking about the differences between adult and children sunscreens, I’d like to point out that, because each and every product on the market is formulated differently, these are more to be taken as general guidelines and not exact rules. But usually, sunscreens for children are formulated with less and gentler ingredients to avoid the risk of irritations.

For instance, it is recommended that childrens sunscreen be fragrance-free and contain Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide which, unlike the chemical sunscreen agents, are more suitable for sensitive skin as they don’t cause allergies. Of course, you could still use sunscreens with fragrance or chemical sunscreen agents for your children if you wanted. They won’t harm their health but there is only a small risk of developing irritations and allergies.

Another difference is that adults may want more than sun protection from a sunscreen and so companies may add to products targeted for grown-ups moisturizing and anti-aging ingredients to prevent the signs of aging and keep skin smooth and hydrated. Again, there is nothing wrong if your child uses sunscreen with these ingredients but I do think it’s a bit of a waste as a 5 year old kid needs protection from the sun, not help to fight wrinkles!

The bottom line

The ingredients that offer protection against UV rays are the same for both kids and adults. Although children sunscreens are usually formulated with gentler ingredients, that’s not always the case. Because of this, adults can safely use sunscreens formulated for children and vice versa. Although what sunscreen to use on you and your kids comes down to what you want from a sunscreen. Does it have to be very moisturizing? Do you want it to contain antioxidants to prevent the signs of aging? Do you prefer it to be fragrance-free or chemical-free (these are usually gentler and less irritating)? Forget about the child/adult labels and simply read the ingredient lists of sunscreens to find the right products for yours and your children’s needs.

Have you every used children’s sunscreens?

Source

We are all aware of the damage UV rays can cause to our skin. Cancer, sun spots, sunburns and premature wrinkles are just some of the consequences of sun exposure. But we can’t avoid the sun all the time and besides, it is fun to spend time outdoors when the weather is warm and sunny. What we can do, though, is making sure that every time we step outside the house, our skin is well-protected against the sun rays. Here are a few ways to enjoy the sun safely:

1. Wear sunscreen

Sunscreen is the best, most effective way to protect skin from the harmful sun rays. But for it to work properly and get the SPF level stated on the packaging, you have to apply it liberally on all the exposed areas of your body and, if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, reapply it every two or three hours. Reapplication is necessary even after swimming and sweating. Also, make sure you choose a broad spectrum sunscreen (one that contains Avobenzone, Mexoryl, Tinosorb, Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide) so that your skin is protected from both UVA and UVB rays.

2. Wear a hat

Your scalp and hair also need protection from the sun. A wide-brimmed hat will also protect your face, neck and ears (but you should apply sunscreen on those areas anyway). If you choose to wear a straw hat, make sure it doesn’t have big holes in it or the sun rays will pass through them, making wearing a hat ineffective against them (you’ll still look pretty though). Baseball caps aren’t ideal either as they only cover the scalp and a portion of your hair depending on how long it is.

3. Wear sunglasses

The area around your eyes is very delicate and needs extra protection too. When you go out in the sun, make sure you wear sunglasses with lenses that block at least 98% of UVA and UVB rays. Some of them can be quite expensive but they will last for years if you take proper care of them and save the skin of the delicate eye area from all the damage the sun can do. In addition, sunglasses also prevent you from squinting, an action that done often, can cause wrinkles overtime.

4. Wear lip products with SPF

Now our skin, scalp, hair and eyes are well protected from UV rays but there is still another delicate but often neglected area that needs protection: the lips. It is a good habit to always wear at least one lip product (it could be a lip balm, or gloss, or lipstick or even a stain) with SPF to keep your pout safe in the sun.

5. Wear sun protective clothing

I know this is not always practical. In the hot summer months we all wear skimpy outfits and swimming suits are usually all we wear at the beach, but clothes offer protection from the sun too. So, whenever possible, wear tops with long sleeves or long skirts and trousers. But not all clothes offer the same kind of protection. Tightly woven and dark fabrics are more effective against the sun rays.

6. Seek the shade

It is always a good idea to spend as much time as you can in the shade and, espcially between 10am and 4pm when the sun rays are at their strongest. You can seek shade under trees or anything else that offers shelter, including an umbrella. It may seem weird to stroll around with an umbrella in bright sunlight, but it’s gonna keep your skin safe, which is the most important thing.

7. Avoid tanning beds

Limiting sun exposure and making sure that every area of our body is well protected when we step outside is extremely important, but so is avoiding the use of tanning beds. They emit UV rays too and could thus cause cancer and premature aging too. If you want a tan, use a self-tanning product instead. That’s the only way to tan safely.

Do you know any other ways to protect skin from the sun rays?

Source: garcya.us

We are all aware of the damage the sun rays can do to our bodies by now and how important to wear sunscreen daily is. But unfortunately there are so many misconceptions surrounding this indispensable beauty product that could prevent some people from using it properly or at all! Here are 4 common sunscreen myths debunked:

1. I don’t need to wear sunscreen if I spend most of the day indoors

Most people think of sunscreen as something they need only when they go to the beach or know they will spend a lot of time outdoors. But sunscreen should be worn every day, even if we’re gonna spend the day indoors. That’s because UVA rays (which are the type that cause premature aging, and combined with UVB rays increase the risk of getting skin cancer), can penetrate through windows of cars and buildings, doing some serious damage to our skin. The truth is that, wherever we are, every day, from the moment the sun comes up to when it comes down, we are constantly exposed to its damaging rays and need sunscreen (or at least a moisturizer with sunscreen) to protect ourselves from them.

2. I can apply sunscreen when I get to the beach

If you use a physical blocker (products with only Titanium Dioxide and/or Zinc Oxide) you could as it works instantly, although you should still put it on at home to keep your skin protected on the way to the beach. But chemical sunscreens should always be applied 20 to 30 minutes before going outside, not once you reach your destination. That’s because the active sunscreen ingredients need that time to get activated through a chemical reaction that occurs when they get into contact with the skin. If you apply them at the beach, for the first at least 20 minutes, your lotion won’t really offer you any protection.

3. If I wear sunscreen I won’t get enough Vitamin D

Our bodies need Vitamin D to function properly, and a deficiency of it causes numerous health problems. In order to produce this important Vitamin, we need sun exposure. But that doesn’t mean that we should stop wearing sunscreens. To get the amount of Vitamin D the body needs, it’s enough to expose our unprotected skin to the sun rays for 15 minutes twice a week.

4. If I have dark skin I don’t need sunscreen

I’m sorry to disappoint you, but you do. Although people with dark skin produce more melanin and are less likely to burn than those with fair skin, their skin too gets damaged by the sun rays. In addition, people with dark skin are more likely to die from skin cancer than those with a fairer complexion. This is due to the fact that they believe they don’t need sunscreen and so don’t use it. They are also less likely to get regular screening for skin cancer, so that when the disease is diagnosed, it is usually in an advance stage. So, start wearing sunscreen everyday. It could save your life.

Do you know any other sunscreen misconceptions to debunk? Share them in the comments.

Source: Spinstah

Ah sunscreen. We all know how important it is to use it daily and we slather it on our faces every morning (if you don’t, you should start now! ) to prevent all kinds of damage the sun can cause, from premature wrinkles, to sun spots to cancer. But there still seems to be a lot of confusion about what’s the proper way to apply sunscreen.

Are you making this mistake?
A very common mistake most people make is to think that applying it on their faces after their moisturizer will guarantee the best protection. If you think about it, it has its logic. If it is on top of the skin, then it should protect it better. Sadly, that is not true. At least not if you use chemical sunscreens.

How physical blockers work
Now, if you use physical blockers (sunscreens with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide) instead, it doesn’t really matter when you apply them. These ingredients simply work as a shield and so, when the sun rays hit them, they are reflected away from our skin. But all other sunscreens work in a very different way.

Why chemical sunscreens should be applied before moisturizer
Chemical sunscreens don’t work straight away but have to be activated first. In order to do that, they need to bind to the skin so that the chemical reaction that makes them effective can occur. To work their best, this type of sunscreen needs to be applied on bare, cleansed skin. If you apply it after your moisturizer, that’s just gonna get in the way and the chemical sunscreen will not provide much protection against the sun. And you don’t want that right? The same is true for cosmetics with SPF as well. If they contain chemical sunscreen agents they should be applied on bare skin too to be effective.

So, next time, remember: cleanse, apply sunscreen and then, moisturize!

Source: HB Art