Sunscreen for face and body. Which tool is better to buy?

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The summer months are simply unthinkable without a beautiful tan. Sun exposure can sometimes cause redness, dryness, burns and blisters, and prolonged exposure can cause premature aging and can lead to skin cancer. To protect your skin, experts suggest using sunscreens that will get rid of unpleasant consequences and protect the skin from the effects of ultraviolet rays.

What you need to know about sun protection

Sunlight, penetrating through the atmosphere, carries rays of different spectra, they differ in physical characteristics (wavelength) and their effect on the human body:

UVA spectrum, although the weakest type of rays, but it is most difficult to hide from it, you cannot protect yourself from it with clouds, thin clothes and glass. It penetrates into the deep layers of the skin, destroys collagen and elastin fibers. This type of radiation enhances photoaging, causes the appearance, and can lead to oncological diseases.
UVB- radiation is most active from 10 to 16 hours of the day. It is this type of spectrum that gives the skin a beautiful tan, but in addition it can provoke sunstroke, the appearance of redness and burns, and causes skin neoplasms. Glass and clothing fabrics save from UVB rays.
UVC- the rays from which the atmosphere of the planet protects us.

But one should not think that the sun's rays bring only a negative effect. They are necessary for the normal functioning of the body: vitamin D is produced, mood improves, blood circulation improves and, of course, a beautiful chocolate skin tone appears. To minimize the harm from the sun's rays, it is proposed to use physical (clothes, umbrellas, awnings) and chemical (sun protection creams) filters.

There are two types of sunscreen for the skin:

Reflective radiation. The main component of the product is zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are used as screens. These filters create a film on the skin that excludes UVB rays. The main disadvantage of such products is the fragility of protection - they are easily washed off with water and washed when interacting with a fabric (clothing, towel). Therefore, they have to be updated frequently. But they are suitable even for owners of sensitive skin.
blocking beams. These filters protect against the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays. These products penetrate deep into the skin, they do not need to be constantly updated - they act for a long time, they have a light consistency that does not bring discomfort and sticky feeling. But, before using such products, it is necessary to test for allergies, the cream can cause a histamine reaction of the skin.

Types of sun creams

Sunscreen has its own characteristics and, like any skin care product, it is divided into several types. Products differ in their texture and density (creams, emulsions, milks, oils, lotions, etc.) and their purpose. Let's take a closer look at the classification:

Body sun creams universal, not recommended for use on the face.
Sunscreen facial products It has a light texture, absorbs quickly and can be used as a make-up agent. There are special sunscreens for the face with a tinting effect. They also protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation, and even out the complexion.
Waterproof products, not recommended for use on the face, but it is very convenient to use them on a beach holiday, with frequent swims in the water. But the cream will still need to be renewed after 2-3 baths.
Sunscreen cosmetics for children has a delicate composition, it is recommended for use by children from 3 years old or people with sensitive skin. For babies from 6 months, special products are sold in pharmacies.

Main Components

To choose the best sun protection product, you need to pay attention to the composition, because the cream must contain not only SPF filters, but also other necessary components that soften, moisturize the skin, and stimulate the appearance of a tan:

SPF(sun protection factor). One of the most important criteria when choosing a cream, it protects against sunburn. There are many different products with a value of this factor from 5 to 100, the figure is indicated on the packaging and indicates the degree of protection from solar activity. That is, stay under the rays can be extended without harm in the specified number of times, depending on the type of skin. But for this it is necessary to apply the product again, when interacting with water, a towel or clothes.
PPD- Protects the skin from UVA rays. This is a relatively new component that must be present in sunscreen. It prevents photoaging and the development of skin cancers.
Various vitamins for the beauty and radiance of the skin;
calcium and zinc restore the epidermis;
coenzymes prevent premature aging;
Various oils moisturize and nourish, and also provide the skin with antioxidants that protect it from the effects of free radicals.

How to choose a quality sunscreen

A quality sunscreen should have the following properties:

Fight UVA-UVB rays as effectively as possible;
Have a small degree of penetration into the epidermis;
Should be suitable for sensitive skin, avoid irritation and allergies;
Be resistant to light or temperature effects.

There are several factors to consider when choosing the perfect sun protection product:

skin phototype;
skin type;
What is the cream for?

So, first of all, you need to decide on skin phototype. There are four of them, each of them has its own characteristics.

First phototype unites light-skinned people prone to freckles, with blond hair, blue or green eyes. In owners of this phototype, the skin burns very quickly, the tan practically does not lie down. It is recommended to use products with an SPF factor of 40-50 in the first days of exposure to active sun, and in the future you can choose a cream with SPF. Suntan oils can not be used, it can cause burns, inflammation and irritation.
Co. second phototype include people with fair skin, brown or blue eyes, blond or red hair, freckles are acceptable. Owners of such skin are recommended to protect the skin first with a cream with an SPF30 factor, and then lower it to 15-20. On the beach, be sure to use waterproof sunscreen.
Third phototype very common in Russia, its main features are blond or brown hair, dark eyes. The skin is light, but quickly tans, redness and irritation rarely appear on it. You can use products with a protection level of 20 SPF, then go down to a lower value of 10-15 SPF.
Fourth phototype- These are people with dark skin, dark hair and eyes. They do not burn out in the sun, but their skin still needs hydration and at least minimal protection. For those lucky ones, sunscreens are offered that are labeled "for dark skin."

After you have decided on the phototype, it's time choose according to skin type. What are they?

If you have sensitive skin prone to allergic reactions and redness, it is recommended to choose a cosmetic product with a light texture: milk or emulsion. Be sure to check the composition, there should not be components that you are allergic to. Also, these products should be marked "for sensitive skin."
Dry skin becomes even drier under the influence of ultraviolet light, so choose a product with moisturizing ingredients in the composition, but alcohol should not be in it. It is recommended to choose milk (light texture) or oil (more nourishing texture) for tanning.
Oily or combination skin needs to regulate the work of the sebaceous glands, which, under the rays of the sun, increase the production of sebum. Try using lotions or emulsions. They do not clog pores, mattify the skin, preventing the appearance of oily sheen. It is very important that the composition does not contain mineral oils (mineraloil), they provoke blockage of the sebaceous glands, which can cause acne, blackheads and blackheads.

Well, the third, no less important. This is the purpose for which the tool is purchased. If you are going to the sea, then you need a product with maximum protection (-60), and if you decide to protect your skin in an urban environment, then cosmetics with 10-20 SPF protection (for whites up to 30 SPF) will do.

Rules for the use of sunscreens

Experts recommend applying sunscreen about 30-40 minutes before going outside, so that the product has time to absorb and prepare the skin for the effects of sunlight. Stay in direct sunlight is better to dose, first, the duration of sunbathing should be 15-20 minutes.

The cream must be reapplied periodically, approximately every 2-3 hours of sun exposure, or after each bath, even if the cream is marked "waterproof".

Be sure to consider the expiration date of the product. Almost all creams have only enough properties for one season, if you did not have time to use the product to the end, then it is recommended to throw it away and purchase a new one.

And of course, it is very important not only to use sun protection products, but also to follow the recommendations of experts. Wear dark glasses, scarves, protect yourself from active radiation with clothing. And it is best to sunbathe in the interval from early morning to 11 o'clock or after 16 o'clock, because it is during this period that the maximum solar activity occurs, which can cause sunstroke and burns.

The Best Sunscreens

Every year, new tanning products appear on the market, they have different prices, they are produced by numerous manufacturers and they all have some differences. But there are several products that buyers choose from year to year and the popularity of these products is only growing. Let's consider some of them.

Sunscreen LAROCHE-POSAY ANTHELIOS XL SPF 50

The French brand of cosmetics helps owners of even very sensitive skin to escape from the scorching sun. The product protects against premature aging, the appearance of age spots and skin neoplasms thanks to filters from UVA, UVB rays.

LA ROCHE-POSAY ANTHELIOS XL SPF 50 is suitable for dry to normal skin, lasts well throughout the day and is waterproof. The product is used for the face, has a light, melting texture, does not clog pores and allows the skin to breathe.