What are the Benefits of Sunscreen | How to use Sunscreen | What is the Best SPF for Sunscreen | What is Sunscreen- Who is it for | Benefits of Sunscreen- Frequently Asked Questions
The sweltering summer has arrived. The humidity is at its peak, and the sun is shining in all its glory. Along with gallons of water, fresh fruits, ice creams and air conditioners, there’s one more solution that can protect you from the sun this summer: sunscreen.
The benefits of sunscreen are too good to be ignored: it forms a layer on your skin to shield it from the harsh ultraviolet rays and keeps your skin healthy. Sunscreen helps prevent skin pigmentation, delays the signs of ageing, such as wrinkles and lines and gives your skin a much-needed additional layer of protection.
But what is sunscreen? Sunscreen comes in the form of cream, lotion or spray and contains active ingredients which offer protection from the sun. One of the major benefits of sunscreen is that with regular use, you can eliminate the chance of getting sunburn, which contributes to skin cancer.
Most of us lather ourselves with sunscreen when we’re outdoors during the summer, but sunscreen, in fact, should be a part of your daily skincare routine, irrespective of the weather. All the devices we use, such as laptops and phones, emit blue light, which can harm the skin. Sunscreen forms a shield to keep the skin healthy and wards off the effects of blue light emissions.
The use of sunscreen plays a key role in skin nutrition and offers some much-required protection from the sun. There are two main types of sunscreen that you should know about, physical sunscreen and chemical sunscreen. Physical sunscreen blocks the UV light while the latter absorbs and filters the UV light.
You’d have also noticed the term SPF when buying a sunscreen tube. So what is SPF? SPF or sun protection factor helps you measure the amount of protection from UVB exposure you will receive from the sunscreen.
Now if you’re wondering ‘What is the best SPF for sunscreen?, then the answer is that the most commonly preferred SPF level for sunscreen is 15 and above.
Let’s take a more detailed look at the uses and benefits of sunscreen.
What are the Benefits of Sunscreen?
The importance of sunscreen is immense in your skincare routine. It not only offers protection from the sun but also keeps your skin hydrated, prevents pigmentation and arrests the signs of ageing. Here are some of the major benefits of sunscreen:
1. Protects Skin from Sunburn
You might want to work on your tan this summer, but sunbathing or going outdoors without a coat of sunscreen could end up with you suffering from sunburn. And boy, sunburn is anything but easy to deal with. Make sure you apply a generous layer of sunscreen on all the parts of your body that are likely to be exposed to the sun. If you’re planning on being outdoors for long periods, try to apply sunscreen every two hours for optimal protection.
2. Delays Signs of Ageing
Sunscreen is a powerful tool to reduce the signs of ageing. Long hours of exposure to sunlight can damage the collagen beneath the skin, which would cause your skin to become loose and develop wrinkles. Sunscreen will not only provide nourishment for skin but will also protect you from the above.
3. Reduces Pigmentation
Exposure to the ultraviolet rays from the sun could cause pigmentation on the skin and make you look older than you actually are. Sunscreen offers protection from the sun and also ensures your skin is evenly protected from the sun so that there is no room for discolouration.
4. Lower Risk of Skin Cancer
One of the main uses of sunscreen is to prevent skin cancer. Make it a point to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or above to protect your skin from sun damage and keep yourself safe from the sun’s ultraviolet rays and the blue lights emitted by our devices.
All of these factors highlight the importance of sunscreen and why it must be a part of our daily lives.
You might also be interested to know about Your Skincare Bible!
How to Use Sunscreen?
Think of sunscreen as a moisturizer that you would use every day. This would in turn ensure you make sunscreen a staple in your daily skincare routine and not use it only when you step out of the house and help you reap the benefits of sunscreen.
Sunscreen is a vital part of everyday skincare routine because it also protects you from the blue lights coming from devices at home such as laptops, TVs and phones, which can also damage the skin. Other than that, sunscreen is an absolute must when you head outdoors.
The tendency to forget sunscreen before going out is quite common, but you will not have to worry about that if you simply integrate it into your routine akin to how you use body lotion.
Now let’s look at how to use sunscreen: squeeze out a generous amount from the tube and spread it on the areas of your body that are most likely to be directly exposed to the sun. You can apply a slightly thicker layer to your face, neck and hands but do not overdo it because that’ll just leave you feeling sticky and uncomfortable. The same method of application applies to sunscreen sprays as well, where you can directly spray the solution onto your body and then massage it onto your skin.
If you’re going swimming or are planning to remain outdoors for long hours, then make it a point to use at least a handful of sunscreen to cover your entire body, including your back and shoulders, and apply it again after two hours to ensure your skin is properly protected.
However, if you don’t feel comfortable using sunscreen as part of your routine, then you can apply it 30 minutes before heading outdoors. This will give your skin enough time to absorb the sunscreen and will also see to it that you do not sweat it all out within minutes of being exposed to the sun.
Looking to buy your first sunscreen spray? There’s no better place to get started than at The Co Being! Our sunscreen spray is packed with natural ingredients to keep your skin safe from the harsh effects of UV rays.
What is the Best SPF for Sunscreen?
If you’re wondering ‘What is SPF?’…it stands for sun protection factor. It basically gives you a rough idea of how long it would take for the sun’s ultraviolet rays to damage your skin with sunscreen and how long the same would take without sunscreen.
For example: if the sunscreen bottle says SPF 30, then it means it will take 30 times the duration for your skin to face the brunt of the sun’s ultraviolet rays with sunscreen as opposed to without it. So let’s say your skin normally turns red or begins to burn within 5 minutes of being in the sun.
If you use sunscreen with SPF 30, then you’ll be able to stay out in the sun for 30 times longer, which is 150 minutes, without facing skin damage. The higher the SPF level, the longer the sunscreen can protect you from the sun.
Now we know what SPF is and your next question ought to be ‘What is the best SPF for sunscreen?’ You should choose a sunscreen that has at least SPF 30 for basic protection and go upward depending on your usage. If you’re someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, then you can opt for a sunscreen with an SPF level of 30 and above.
What is Sunscreen- Who is it for?
Sunscreen is for virtually everybody. From children to adults, anyone who is exposed to the sun can use sunscreen as it provides nourishment for skin. Since sunscreen is only externally applied, it does not lead to any internal complications. And if you ever feel discomfort or irritation on the skin, you can always switch your sunscreen for a different one or maybe try a sunscreen gel or spray for a different application. You can use either of the two types of sunscreen, but ensure you do it daily.
The sunscreen benefits for skin are manifold and we’ve discussed them in detail above. Your perspective towards sunscreen will change if you consider it like a moisturizer that you would use every day for healthy skin.
Whether it’s your school sports day, a picnic with friends, a trip to the beach or a day of working outdoors, sunscreen is your best friend to protect your skin from the sun and prevent any chance of sunburn or skin damage.
Sunscreen can also smell amazing! Check out The Co Being’s Seize The Day sunscreen which is made up of licorice, Blackcurrant bud, Mulberry and bearberry extracts. It not only protects your skin but also has a wonderful fragrance.
Benefits of sunscreen: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is sunscreen?
A: Sunscreen is a lotion/cream/spray which contains active ingredients that form a shield on your skin to protect it from the sun.
Q: When should I apply sunscreen?
A: Sunscreen is a very important aspect of skin nutrition and can be a part of your daily skincare routine. You can either apply sunscreen when you do your usual skin routine or use it about 30 minutes before going outdoors.
Q: Who should apply sunscreen?
A: Everyone! Sunscreen is for everyone, from infants to adults. Everyone is exposed to the sun at some point in the day and the blue light that comes from the many devices we use and it’s best practice to apply sunscreen at least once a day.
Q: What is SPF? What SPF level do I look for when choosing sunscreen?
A: SPF stands for sun protection factor, which is an indication of how long it will take for your skin to get damaged with sunscreen as opposed to the duration it would take without using sunscreen. A widely-preferred choice of sunscreen would be one with an SPF level of 15 and above.
Q: What are the benefits of using sunscreen?
A: There benefits of sunscreen are wide-ranging - sunscreen protects your skin from the harsh ultraviolet rays of the sun, prevents sunburn, reduces the onset of signs of ageing such as wrinkles and lines and also reduces the risk of skin pigmentation.
Q: What is PA+++ in sunscreen?
A: While all sunscreens have an SPF rating on the packaging, sunscreens in Asia also have a PA+ rating. PA is a short form of Protection Grade of UVA and is used to measure the strength of a sunscreen, similar to an SPF rating. PA+++ in sunscreen means the product offers extremely high UVA protection.
Q: Can I use this sunscreen on my face and under the eye area? Will it cause any side-effects?
A: The Co Being On-the-Go Sunscreen Spray is made with natural ingredients like tulsi and somaraj that not only help protect your skin against the harsh UV rays but also have anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe your skin, hence making it safe for usage.
Q: How to use sunscreen on face?
A: Start with washing and moisturising your face. Once done, apply the sunscreen over the face, neck, and hands. Gently spread until it gets rightly absorbed. Throughout the day, re-apply as necessary.
Q: How to choose sunscreen?
A: Before selecting one, it is important to know how to choose sunscreen and the various factors to consider. Two of the main factors to consider include the SPF of the sunscreen and the active ingredients present. Additionally, also look for a broad spectrum sunscreen that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays.