What is SPF and Why is it Important?
Payal Suthar
SPF: What is it?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It measures how well your skin can resist sunburn and a rating of the UV protection that a sunscreen offers. SPF protects you from UVB light, which causes redness and burns, but not UVA light, which causes photoaging and wrinkles.
The higher the SPF number, the greater the amount of protection from UVB rays. But it does not offer any protection against UVA rays, so you should also use other forms of sun protection to protect against both types of light (e.g., wear hats and sunglasses).
Choosing an SPF
Sun protection is an important part of your skincare routine. It doesn't matter if you are at the beach or walking around in the sun. It's always a good idea to apply SPF to your skin.
SPFs are graded on a scale from 2 to 100+, with higher numbers indicating more protection. SPFs can be combined with other letters to indicate the level of protection, such as PA+ or PA+++ for broad-spectrum protection.
There are two main ways to determine if a sunscreen is right for you: by looking at the SPF spectrum and your skin type. The first tells you how much protection it provides against UVA and UVB rays, and the second tells you how sensitive your skin is to sun exposure.
Different Types of Sunscreens and Their Benefits
There are two types of sunscreens: chemical and mineral. Chemical sunscreen is usually made of ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and avobenzone. They are absorbed by the skin and protect it from UV rays by sitting on top of the skin. Mineral sunscreens are made up of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which sit on top of the skin to protect it from UV rays.
Chemical sunscreens generally have higher SPF than mineral sunscreen because it contains chemicals that can reflect UV radiation away from the skin better than minerals. However, this also means that they may be more likely to irritate your skin and disrupt hormones in your body because they are absorbed into your bloodstream through your skin.
On the other hand, mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, reflecting UV rays away from the skin. The benefits of mineral sunscreen include: People can use them for sensitive skin, they are safe for people with allergies, and they don't break down when exposed to water.
How to Use Sunscreen Correctly
Sunscreen is one of the most important things to put on before you go out in the sun. It protects your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause skin cancer and other sun-related problems.
The best way to use sunscreen is to use it every day, even on cloudy days. You should also apply sunscreen every time you go outside, even if it’s just for a short time.
You must apply enough sunscreen to protect your skin for the entire day. The amount of sunscreen needed depends on your skin type and how much time you spend outside in the sun.