How to choose the right sunscreen for your skin
Protecting your skin from UV rays is an important part of maintaining healthy skin and preventing skin problems related to aging and skin cancer.
However, many people often feel confused by the variety of products on the market. From sun protection factors to ingredients and cream form, there are many factors to consider to choose the most suitable sunscreen for your skin. So, let’s learn how to choose the right sunscreen for your skin through the article below.
UV rays – The silent enemy of skin waves
UV rays are an invisible form of radiation from the sun, including UVA, UVB and UVC rays. UVC rays are absorbed by the ozone layer, but UVA and UVB rays can penetrate the skin and cause many harmful effects.
Harmful effects of UV rays:
- UVA rays: Account for 95% of UV rays, have the ability to penetrate deeply into the skin, decomposing collagen and Elastin structures, leading to premature skin aging, wrinkles, melasma, and freckles.
- UVB rays: Sunburn rays, sunburn, increased risk of skin cancer.
In addition, UV rays can also cause other harmful effects such as:
- Impaired immune system
- Vitreous body
- Application environment
The importance of sun protection
Sun protection is the most effective way to protect skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. Regular sun protection brings many practical benefits to the skin such as:
- Prevent premature skin aging: UV rays are the leading cause of premature skin aging, wrinkles, melasma, and freckles. Sun protection helps protect skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, keeping skin youthful and healthy.
- Reduce the risk of skin cancer: UV rays can cause skin cancer, especially basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Sun protection helps reduce the risk of skin cancer.
- Maintain healthy, bright skin: Sun protection helps protect skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, keeping skin healthy, bright and smooth.
In addition, sun protection also brings a number of other benefits such as:
- Reduces the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration
- Improve immune system
- Helps you sleep better
The secret to choosing sunscreen to “conquer” all skin types
SPF index – “Shield” protects the skin against UVB rays
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to protect skin from UVB rays. The higher the SPF index, the better the skin protection.
How to choose the appropriate SPF index for each activity:
- SPF 30: Suitable for daily activities such as walking around, going to work,…
- SPF 50: Suitable for short-term outdoor activities such as going out, picnic,…
- SPF 70+: Suitable for long-term outdoor activities such as going to the beach, sunbathing,…
Note: You should reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, especially after swimming, sweating or drying your body.
PA index – “Weapon” against UVA rays
The PA index (Protection Grade of UVA) is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to protect the skin from UVA rays. The more plus (+) the PA index is, the better the skin protection ability.
How to choose the PA index that suits your needs:
- PA+++: Suitable for all skin types and all activities.
- PA++++: Suitable for sensitive skin, easily irritated by UV rays.
Note: You should choose a sunscreen with a PA index of +++ or higher for optimal skin protection from UVA rays.
Besides choosing the appropriate SPF and PA index, you also need to keep in mind a number of other factors when choosing sunscreen such as:
- Skin type: Choose a sunscreen suitable for your skin type (oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin,…)
- Ingredients: Choose sunscreen with ingredients that are safe and benign for the skin.
- Texture: Choose a sunscreen with a texture that suits your preference (liquid, gel, milk,…).
- Brand: Choose sunscreen from a reputable, quality brand.
Choosing the right sunscreen is important to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. Take the time to research and choose the most suitable sunscreen for yourself.
Choose the ideal sunscreen for each skin type
Choosing the right sunscreen for your skin type is very important to ensure effective skin protection and avoid irritation. Here are some things to note when choosing sunscreen for each skin type:
Sunscreen for oily skin:
- You should choose sunscreen with a gel, lotion or milk texture to avoid causing skin irritation.
- Choose a sunscreen that says “oil-free” (does not contain oil) and “non-comedogenic” (does not clog pores).
- Some good ingredients for oily skin in sunscreen include Salicylic Acid, Zinc Oxide, and Niacinamide.
Sunscreen for dry skin:
- You should choose sunscreen with a cream or milky texture to provide moisture to the skin.
- Choose a sunscreen that contains moisturizing ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Shea Butter.
- Avoid sunscreens that contain alcohol because they can dry out your skin.
Sunscreen for acne-prone skin:
- You should choose a sunscreen with a gel or lotion texture to avoid causing skin irritation.
- Choose a sunscreen that says “oil-free” (does not contain oil) and “non-comedogenic” (does not clog pores).
- Some good ingredients for acne-prone skin in sunscreen include Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Tea Tree Oil.
Sunscreen for sensitive skin:
- You should choose sunscreen with ingredients that are safe and benign for the skin.
- Choose a sunscreen that says “hypoallergenic” and “fragrance-free”.
- You should test sunscreen on a small area of skin before using it on your entire face.
Waterproof sunscreen – a companion when swimming:
- You should choose a sunscreen with a water resistance index of 80 minutes or more.
- Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before swimming.
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating.
So, we have helped you learn about how to choose sunscreen that is suitable for all skin types. Hope this article will be useful to you in your skincare process. If you still have any questions, please comment below the article for answers.
