Whether the sun is out or not, sunscreen is an essential part of every skincare regimen throughout the year. Dermatologists recommend applying a generous amount of sunscreen every single day, whether you are stepping out of the house or staying indoors. But, have you wondered what makes sunscreen an unskippable skincare routine?
What Is Sunscreen?
Sunscreen is a topical product that helps protect your skin against harmful UV rays. It blocks the UV radiation from being absorbed by your skin. However, no sunscreen provides 100% protection against UV rays, which is why it is essential to reapply sunscreen every few hours. Doing this allows you to stay outdoors for longer hours without your skin getting redder and warmer.
What Does SPF Stand For?
SPF, an acronym for Sun Protection Factor, measures the protection sunscreen offers from harmful UV rays. Different SPF levels provide a different level of protection. According to UCI Health, SPF 15 offers 93% protection, SPF 30 offers 97% protection and SPF 50 offers 98% protection. Experts recommend using sunscreen between protection levels 30 and 50, to get the most out of it.
PA+ Sunscreen Rating
Some sunscreens come with a PA+ rating on its packaging. It stands for Protection Grade of UVA followed by some plus signs like PA+, PA++, PA+++ and PA++++. Here each rating signifies
- PA+ : some protection against UVA rays
- PA ++ : moderate protection against UVA rays
- PA +++ : high protection against UVA rays
- PA ++++ : extremely high protection against UVA rays
How Often Should You Use Sunscreen In A Day?
Once applied, most sunscreens remain effective for up to two hours and less, if you sweat too much. It is essential to re-apply sunscreen once every two hours, for as long as you are outdoors and the sun is out.
How To Apply Sunscreen?
- Start with a clean face. Once done with your regular morning skincare routine, apply an adequate amount of sunscreen after the moisturiser. For your face, neck and ears, a teaspoon of sunscreen is needed.
- Dot the sunscreen on these exposed areas and thoroughly massage it to ensure that it is blended well. Make sure to apply sunscreen at least 15 to 30 minutes before stepping out of the house.
- It is essential to apply sunscreen to the exposed parts of your body as well, including arms, legs and feet. Furthermore, do not neglect your lips. You can use a lip balm with some amount of SPF in it to prevent your lips from getting tanned.
Wrapping Up
If you are wondering whether you need sunscreen every day of the year, the answer is always yes. The sun is always out, even on cloudy days, so you use sunscreen throughout the year and reapply it for optimum effectiveness!
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