What is Sunscreen/Sunblock?
Sunscreen/Sunblock has been around since the 1940s and is still advocated as the best way to protect your skin from ultraviolet rays all around the world.
Sunscreen/Sunblock is a product that helps to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. It comes in the form of gel, lotion, cream or spray, and is applied evenly on your skin before being exposed to sunlight for long periods of time.
Skipping Sunscreen/Sunblock is a No No
Sunscreens are used to protect to skin from harmful effects of the sun such as sunburn, skin cancer, sensitive skin reactions. They also help to prevent premature aging skin with visible wrinkles and rough skin.
When do you use Sunscreen?
Most people use sunscreen right before an outdoor activity or before long exposures to the sun.
However, ultraviolet rays can come from different sources — lamps, interior lighting, LEDs — that many people are unaware or do not pay much attention. This would result in their skin suffering in the long term.
It is recommended by dermatologists to use sunscreen on a daily basis to protect your skin from UV rays at all times.
Sunscreen vs Sunblock
While sunscreen and sunblock serve the same purpose of protecting your skin from UV rays, their methods of doing so differ from one another.
Sunscreen absorbs the sun’s UV rays that would otherwise have contacted your skin, reducing its damaging effects.
Sunblock reflects the sun’s UV rays that would come into contact with your skin, preventing them from entering the skin.
What is SPF?
SPF stands for sun protection factor. It is a relative measure to how long your sunscreen/sunblock can protect your skin from ultraviolet rays.
SPF is calculated by multiplying how long it takes for your skin to burn x SPF value.
So lets say you are using a sunscreen with SPF 30 and the time it take for your skin to burn is 10 minutes (differs for every person). The total time the sunscreen can protect your skin is 10 x 30 = 300 minutes. Of course, this only applies if you used the right amount of sunscreen.
What kind of sunblocks/sunscreens should you use?
As mentioned earlier, sunblocks and sunscreens have different ways of protecting your skin from UV rays and as such benefit different skin types.
Sunblocks are mineral based and as such, sit atop your skin. This reduces skin irritation from clogged pores and is significantly better for congested, acne prone skin types.
Sunscreens on the other hand are chemical based and sinks into the skin. They are much thinner and easier to spread across skin. Also, since sunscreens go into the skin, make up is easier to apply over skin. Its smooth feel makes it more comfortable to use over sunblock, especially for dry skin types.
Our eStore offers many types of sun protection that cater to the skin care needs of every individual. So be sure to check it out!