How to choose the right sunscreen

Cream with built-in special filters protects the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. The need to use such a tool arises before going on vacation and other situations that a person needs to be in the open sun for a long time. In order to protect the skin, not to get burns and age spots, it is necessary to choose a sunscreen correctly. To do this, pay attention to the important aspects below.

Composition, features, types of sunscreen

Modern manufacturing companies have already flooded the market with new-fangled body care cosmetics. There are several types of creams for protection from the sun. The first includes physical (i.e. natural) filters, the second includes chemical ones. Which one is better is hard to say.

The main difference between the varieties lies in the interaction with ultraviolet. The natural filter reflects the rays, the chemical absorbs them. The product of physical origin is called "Sanskrin", chemical - "Sunblock".

Chemicals absorb the most dangerous class A and B ultraviolet rays, but not every manufacturing company can provide a guarantee. Therefore, you need to buy funds from leading manufacturers.

Physical Filter Cream

The physical filter is also called mineral, natural, natural. The cream protects the skin through the inclusion of zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and iron oxide. The listed mineral compounds do not penetrate deep into the dermis, they act directly on the surface of the skin after application. Minerals act as reflective particles, glare in the sun.

Zinc oxide is an inorganic type of compound that has a beneficial effect on the skin and prevents the influence of free radicals. Titanium dioxide has the ability to reflect UV rays.

The difference between a physical and a chemical filter lies in the absolute safety of the former. Creams with natural ingredients do not cause allergies, do not color the skin, and do not contribute to the development of dermatitis. The particle size of a natural filter is measured in nano units.

The main negative characteristic of natural filters is the appearance of a whitish coating after using such cosmetics.

Cream with a chemical filter

The chemicals that make up cosmetics protect the human body from ultraviolet radiation by creating a thin film on the skin. The cream penetrates the subcutaneous layer, after which it is transformed into a photoisomer. As a result of this, a reaction occurs that releases invisible long waves that protect the epidermis.

The tool based on a chemical filter does not work immediately, you need to wait about 30-40 minutes. That is why such cosmetics are applied in advance before going to the scorching sun.

The filter owes its properties to the composition. It includes mexoril, cinnamate, oxybenzone, benzophenone, parsol, octoprene, avobenzone, camphor and others. Research by scientists on this list of substances is mixed. Some prove the harmful transformation of these compounds into free radicals, while others assure absolute safety. You decide.

There is reliable evidence that benzophenone, which is part of the composition, leads to a deterioration in reproductive activity in men and women. The product is absorbed into the skin and spreads by the bloodstream throughout the body, negatively affecting the human reproductive system. Danger is also seen in Avobenzon.

Important!
Regardless of which cream you prefer, you should know that the composition of the product includes elements that are extremely valuable to the skin. Among them, zinc, calcium, olive oil, almond oil, squeeze from wheat germ, coke extract are distinguished. Vitamin complexes are sometimes included, for example, retinol (vitamin A) and tocopherol (vitamin E). All these components lead to a smooth tan without spots and burns. The secret of a quality cream lies in its gentle handling of the skin.

Selection of cream taking into account the phototype

Type No. 1. This category includes fair-haired people with light skin and eyes (preferably blue). A person with such a phototype is explicit blond, red-haired or light-haired. The skin in this case tans extremely quickly, so you need to choose products with maximum UV protection - a factor of 50 or more.

Type No. 2. The eyes are gray or brown, the hair is light (blond, blond). There is a risk of proper sunburn under the scorching sun, but it is reduced by 30% than type No. 1. In the very heat, you need to buy a cream with a factor of 30-45, on ordinary summer days, SPF-20 is suitable.

Type No. 3. On the expanses of our homeland and the surrounding regions, people of this type are more than all the rest. The Caucasoid race is a middle or fair-skinned people with medium and dark blond, chestnut strands. The eyes are brown, green, gray. If you are of this type, buy a cream with an SPF of 15-20 units.

Type No. 4. This category includes categories of citizens with dark hair and moderately dark skin. The risk of burning is minimal, so you need to buy a cream with a low index. The main thing is that he does not pass ultraviolet. A tool with an indicator of 10 units is suitable.

Type No. 5. This segment includes citizens living in the vastness of North Africa. People with very dark skin can spend hours under the scorching sun without risking sunburn. But in order to protect it is still worth using a tool with a minimum protection factor.

Sunscreen selection

Suitable SPF Filter

1. A suitable sunscreen with a filter should be selected based on the characteristics of the skin type and the duration of exposure to ultraviolet rays. For the normal type and skin tone (European), it is customary to use a composition with an index of 20-30 units.
2. The product with a protective filter protects the skin from the aggressive effects of the sun and allows you to get a uniform tan. If you have recently done peeling or you have minor burns, allergies, it is better to choose a cream with an index of 50. The product is perfect for pigmented skin.

Care products

1. Direct sunlight negatively affects the condition of the skin. Therefore, this phenomenon can be considered a full test without protective equipment.
2. Experts recommend purchasing creams not only with the function of protection against ultraviolet rays, but also with the ability to nourish skin cells with necessary enzymes.
3. A suitable tool in this case is the presence of panthenol, vegetable oils and soothing extracts in the composition.

Product quality

1. Most little-known companies produce sun protection with an overestimated filter rate.
2. Therefore, try to purchase sunscreens of eminent manufacturers. Such products are subject to stringent controls. The package indicates the declared level of SPF.

Allergy Cream Check

1. If you suffer from any allergic reaction, the remedy must be selected especially carefully. Study the composition of sunscreen, it may contain components that trigger allergies.
2. Some people are sensitive to certain minerals. These include compounds of "Sanskrins." If you have hypersensitive skin, the “sun blocks” can provoke an unpleasant reaction.

Cream water resistance

1. If you are going to take sun baths near a pond, you need to select a product on a waterproof basis.
2. Please note that in any case, after bathing, it is recommended to reapply the composition. The cream will help protect the dermis while swimming.

SPF index

1. When choosing a cream, it is important to consider your own age. The older the person, the higher should be the index protection index.
2. In adulthood, the skin requires proper care and stronger protection against the aggressive effects of ultraviolet radiation. The natural functions of the age-related epidermis are greatly reduced.

Practical recommendations

1. When choosing protective cosmetics, be sure to consider the features of the skin. If you are going on vacation near water bodies, give preference to moisture-resistant compounds. Such creams are not washed off with water and remain on the skin for a long time.
2. Prefer protective creams with the ability to care for the skin. Such products should include mild nutritional components. The composition will provide protection, prevent redness and dehydration of cells.
3. If you are the owner of sensitive skin, in the first days of rest in the open sun, give preference to sunscreen with maximum protection from ultraviolet rays.
4. To protect the skin of the face from the aggressive sun, you need to use individual cosmetics with directed exposure. You can use sunscreen under makeup. The main condition remains that the product should be well absorbed and not leave a shine.
5. Keep in mind that a thick sunscreen protects against ultraviolet radiation much better than any spray. If you intend to apply the cream daily, give preference to an agent with SPF protection. As a rule, it can be a usual BB cream or tonic.
6. When purchasing a composition, always pay attention to the expiration date. The cream should have a uniform consistency. It is also recommended to buy funds issued this year, despite the fact that last year did not expire.

The subtleties of using sun cream

Many people simply do not know how to use sunscreen, how much to apply.

1. Composition with a chemical filter is distributed 30-40 minutes before reaching the scorching sun. If we are talking about a physical filter, it can be distributed on the skin a quarter of an hour before sunbathing.
2. If you do not bathe, then the cream will last and will last for 2 hours. After the specified period, it must be reapplied. If you swim in the sea, the composition is used immediately after leaving the water.
3. The recommendations of experts say that the amount of cream should be comparable to a tennis ball. But no one uses this amount, but you should not regret the cream, apply it in large quantities.
4. If you are going on vacation, it is better to stock up on several types of products with different protection factors. In the first money, apply the composition with SPF-50, then gradually switch to SPF-30, 20.

It is easy to choose a high-quality sunscreen, taking into account some of the nuances and features of the skin. Be careful when choosing a remedy if you have allergic reactions. Get a quality composition from a famous brand.

Video: how to choose a sunscreen