Do you have a complete and varied skincare routine, but still like to skip using sunscreen? This is actually a serious problem, Serenitree Squad. The use of sunscreen or sunblock cannot be underestimated, in fact, this is one of the most important things! It’s useless to use a lot of expensive skincare without protection from the sun. One of the risks can lead to the appearance of black spots!
But don’t worry, today Serenitree will give you an introduction, types and tips of sunscreen so you can choose the right one. So make sure to read this article until the end!
Dangers of UVA and UVB Rays
Especially now when global warming has become more prevalent, we must always protect our skin from the fierce rays of the sun. Sunlight or UVA and UVB can provide a million negative risks to our skin.
Here’s the difference between UVA and UVB:
- UVA light: The longest wavelength of all UV rays but with lower energy. These rays can penetrate the skin and usually the negative effects will be seen sooner. Examples include sunburn and dark spots. It can also lead to premature ageing and skin cancer in the future!
- UVB rays: In contrast to UVA rays, these rays have higher energy but shorter wavelengths. Instead of entering the skin, these rays can directly damage the skin layer and its DNA. One example is that the skin may burn/damaged melanin.
Of course, continuous exposure to these two rays will have both short-term and long-term negative effects! This is where sunscreen comes in, as a protection from the sun. Whether the climate is hot or cold, sunscreen will protect us, that is why make sure to never skip using it!
Benefits of Sunscreen for Skin Health
Apart from protecting the skin from the sun, sunscreen plays a lot of roles in the health of our skin. Functioning as a protector, here are some of the things we can feel if we use this product regularly:
- Prevents premature ageing
Who wants wrinkles, sagging or dry skin? Of course no one! Therefore, in order to avoid this risk, both children, young people and adults must use skin protection with this sunscreen.
- Avoiding sunburn
Not only when playing at the beach must you use sunscreen! As long as the sun still appears, UVA and UVB rays are present. Especially if you have sensitive skin, you must really apply sunscreen and use other protections such as hats, umbrellas or long-sleeved clothes.
- Say no to blotchy skin
Blotchy skin is also known as hyperpigmentation, which means that certain areas of the skin look darker than others. If it happens, it will be difficult to get rid of it! Sometimes it even needs medical treatment. So, let’s just avoid it!
- Lower the risk of skin cancer
Sunscreen plays a role in reducing skin risks because it can protect our skin from UVA rays. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible, we still have to keep ourselves protected from other factors besides UVA rays.
There you have it! Now we can all see how important is sunscreen to the health and wellbeing of our skin right?
3 Types of Sunscreen
There are 3 types of sunscreen that we can choose according to our skin type. The first one is physical sunscreen. The active ingredients of this type are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The way it works is by becoming a fortress so that UV rays do not penetrate into our skin. For those of you with sensitive and dry skin, this type is ideal, especially since it doesn’t clog your pores. However, the downside is that it can leave a white cast, wears off easily and requires frequent re-application.
The second type is chemical sunscreens. The active ingredients of this type include oxybenzone and avobenzone. This one works by absorbing UV rays and converting them into heat to prevent them from entering the skin. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, this type of sunscreen will be perfect for you as it is light-textured and easy to absorb. But the downside is that it may trigger allergies and you have to wait for about 20-30 minutes for it to absorb properly.
Finally, there’s the hybrid sunscreen type. As the name implies, this type is a combination of physical and chemical sunscreen. This is a new innovation that you should try as well because it tends to be more effective with less irritating ingredients. Perfect for those with sensitive skin!
Even so, to choose a suitable product, we always recommend researching the ingredients and conducting a patch test to avoid risks!
Tips for Using Sunscreen
Nowadays in the beauty market, there are many application models, some are in the form of sprays, liquid, sticks and many more. It’s easy, just apply it to the skin!
However, there are a few things that we must remember:
- Using sunscreen is the last step in your skincare/makeup routine.
- Choose products with at least SPF 30 for strong protection
- Reapply after every 2 hours
- Use about 15-20 minutes before activities
- Always use sunscreen indoors or outdoors
- Don’t use too much or too little, humans need at least 35 ml of sunscreen per body.
- Apply to the skin surface evenly
It’s so easy, isn’t it? Now there’s no reason to forget or feel lazy in wearing sunscreen. Moreover, there are so many variations that we can choose according to our needs and comfort.
Remember, health is always a priority! After that, glowing, bright and flawless skin will appear by itself. Apart from using sunscreen or skin protection, make sure that skin hygiene and moisture are maintained. Plus, lifestyle and nutrition must be balanced! For tips on a healthy diet for glowing skin, you can see the article here.
Keep your spirits up and stay healthy, Serenitree will always be ready to help you with all your natural skincare needs. Start your skincare journey now!