This is a really good question ... maybe when sitting out in the sun?. It wont be very often so its ok not to ... right? It looks white and paste on my face and
body ... weird.
Besides, Its way to hard to decide on what number to get and too many to choose from ... all natural? ... oh look Organic!... that has to be the best, for sure. I think??
What is it with everyone and the hype on sunscreens... in my day, we just sat out enjoying the warmth of the rays and turning from a lobster to a deep brown tan. We never worried about its effects ... nowa days, its don't go out, stay inside, protect your skin, keep covered up, always wear sunscreen, keep the rays off you as they are toxic and cancerous.
And what's with this SPF .... 15, 30,50? What does this mean? ... im so confused.
Lets see if we can clear up some myths about sunscreen, SPF and its numbers. Oh and that pasty white mess as well.
First of all, you should always wear sunscreen even if you aren't leaving the house... the rays get in and can cause damage to your skin which is the main external cause of aging.
Sunlight and the skin exposed to UV Radiation ... sunlight is energy. Both UVA and UVB wavelength are absorbed, scattered and reflected by the skin. UVA penetrates deeper than UVB into the skin. UVB is shorter and has more energy. UVA affects the dermis, collagen and elastin. Loss of collagen and elastin results in advanced premature aging process showing as lines and wrinkles. You may also experience hyperpigmentation (dark spots of colour) or hypopigmentation
(white like patches), broken capillaries.
Next is SPF ... sun protection factor is the ability of a product to delay sun-induced erythema(redness), the visible sign of aging. SPF is based on the UVB protection not UVA. The estimated SPF is based on more than exposure time as well as skin type, the sun's intensity, product application.
The numbers on the bottle ... lets see if this helps clarify all those numbers. SPF 2 blocks 50% allowing you to stay in the sun twice as long. Increase the number to 15 and now you can block the damaging rays up'to 93% ... how about SPF 30? Well now it blocks 96.9%. So SPF 50 only increases a bit more. Although doubling the number should suggest double protection but it doesn't. Most sunscreens combine ingredients to target both UVA and UVB radiation.
So now you can choose your protection with confidence. Remember to apply sunscreen by patting it onto the skin. Do not rub it in. It looses its effect. The whiteness will absorb. If you perspire, swim or exert yourself re-apply the sunscreen often.
Protect yourself always ... always use sunscreen