Common mistakes in applying sunscreen
Common mistakes everyone makes using sunscreen (Freepik)
Sun protection is important at any time of the year. It is especially important to protect your skin on hot days. There are certain mistakes in applying sunscreens that reduce their effect to zero, reports HuffPost.
Using expired cream
Dermatologist Anne Chapas says that using expired sunscreen can lead to skin irritation.
Using an expired sunscreen can expose the skin to the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet radiation, which can cause skin cancer, accelerated aging, and sunburn.
Sunscreen and makeup
The effectiveness of a sunscreen is directly related to its application to the skin surface.
When you break the uniformity of the sunscreen by mixing it with other cosmetic products, gaps in protection may remain.
Apply sunscreen in a separate layer on the skin and wait for it to absorb before applying makeup.
Relying on SPF in cosmetics
Most day and foundation creams have too low an SPF to protect your skin from the sun.
Therefore, apply a good sunscreen first, let it dry, and then add all other products. If they have SPF, it's just a bonus.
What is SPF?
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is an indicator that demonstrates the effectiveness of sunscreen. It indicates the product's ability to prevent sunburn caused by UVB radiation.
It is the value of the factor at which the product allows a person to be in the sun without burning compared to unprotected skin. For example:
- SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, which allows you to stay in the sun 15 times longer than without wearing sunscreen
- SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, providing double the protection of SPF 15
- SPF 50 blocks about 98% of UVB rays, providing even better UV protection
To make sure that a sunscreen will protect you from both UVA and UVB, look for the “broad spectrum” on the packaging. Chemical sunscreens use chemical compounds that provide broad-spectrum protection.
Remember that no sunscreen can provide 100% protection.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
