Find the right spf moisturizer for your skin type
You know that you need to use SPF to prevent your skin from getting sunburned. You’re also aware how crucial sunscreen is to protect yourself from skin cancer. Even if you know that SPF should play a big role in your skin care routine, do you know the ins and outs of what SPF can do for your skin? What exactly does the SPF number mean? How often and how much should you be applying? We’ll answer all of these questions below. Keep Reading.
What Does Sunscreen Do?
Sunscreens are products that protect skin from UV rays which are both UVA and UVB. UVB rays are more likely to cause sunburns while UVA is associated with premature aging, sagging and dark spots. Sunscreens can protect you from both of these types of rays provided you buy products that read “broad spectrum” and have a high enough SPF count to protect your skin.
What Does The SPF Number Stand For?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and it is a measure of how long the sunblock can prolong your skin’s natural sense of protection. For example, if you can naturally stay in the sun for 15 minutes before your skin starts to burn then applying a sunscreen with SPF 15 will prolong this 15 times as long (225 minutes.).
Another way to look at SPF is to assess what percentage of sunrays are filtered out with SPF. A sunscreen with an SPF 15 filters out 93 percent of UVB rays, SPF 30 filters out 97 percent, SPF 50 blocks 98 percent and SPF 100 blocks 99 percent of UVB rays.[i]
How Do You Match A Moisturizing Sunscreen With Your Skin Type?
Sensitive skin: Use a moisturizer with SPF that is low or free of preservatives and fragrances as both of those might irritate your skin
Dry skin: Use a cream-based moisturizer with SPF that contains oils or humectants.
Oily and Acne-Prone Skin: Buy moisturizing products with an SPF that say “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic” so they won’t clog your pores.
Combination skin: Use a moisturizer with SPF that is both oil-fee and non-comedogenic, but you can also use a product that has hydrating elements, so your cheeks and other dry areas stay moisturized.
Make sure to protect your face, neck and hands from sun exposure on a daily basis. When your whole body is in the sun you should be using the equivalent of a shot glass of broad spectrum SPF on your entire body[ii]. It sounds like a lot but that’s how much your skin needs to be protected from sun damage and premature aging.
[i] Source EWG
[ii] Source Skin Cancer Foundation
