How to choose sunscreen?

We all want to spend the long-awaited summer vacation as efficiently and SAFE as possible.

Relax, gain strength, energy, improve health, restore immunity. Of course, the seaside is perfect for this purpose.

We all know how useful a change of scenery with beautiful landscapes is for mental cleansing, and how beneficial the effect of sea air and water on immunity is, not to mention the fact that pleasant physical activity during swimming burns our extra pounds. It is, of course, difficult to overestimate how beneficial it is for our soul and body. But still there is one very important factor that we must take into account - this is solar activity.

Tan. Benefit or harm?

A lot has already been said about the dangers of excessive solar activity, whole programs are devoted to this, many scientific and popular articles are published in magazines, but still it will not be superfluous to remember the basic rules of safe exposure to the sun. Moreover, according to statistics, the number of skin cancers will melt.

In small quantities, ultraviolet rays are useful, under their influence the body produces vitamin D, which is involved in the regulation of mineral metabolism, promotes the absorption of calcium by bone tissue, strengthens the immune system.

Harm of excessive ultraviolet radiation

In high doses, ultraviolet light promotes the formation of age spots, dilated blood vessels, early wrinkles, and subsequently skin neoplasms.

Teach children to behave properly in the sun

This must be remembered from an early age and accustom your children to safe behavior in the open sun. Children's skin is many times more sensitive than an adult's, so the risk of getting a sunburn is higher for them, but the most unpleasant thing is that an excess of solar radiation has a cumulative result, so the consequences on the skin of an adult can be “from childhood”.

The basic rule of sun exposure for a modern civilized person is the use of sunscreens with SPF factor. Today this rule can be attributed to the norm of mandatory hygiene, like taking a shower, brushing your teeth.

What do sunscreen SPF numbers stand for?

SPF (Sun Protective Factor) - skin protection factor, showing how many times the safe time of exposure to the sun increases until redness (erythema) appears. For example, if a person with sensitive white skin gets their minimum erythema dose in 5 minutes, then under the action of a cream with SPF 10, the skin will turn red in 5 * 10 = 50 minutes.

Along with an increase in the indicator, its ability to protect against radiation also increases, but not infinitely: SPF30 protects against 96.7% of rays, SPF50 - from 98%. Protection above SPF 50 is unjustified. Creams with SPF >50 are prohibited by the European and Asian regulations, so as not to create the illusion of absolute protection.

What is the difference between sunscreens?

Sunscreens usually contain physical filters, chemical filters, or both.

The physical include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These are substances of mineral origin in a finely dispersed form. At the same time, titanium dioxide protects against B-type rays (UVB), and zinc oxide protects against A and B-types (UVA + UVB).

Physical filters are safer. They are non-toxic, do not accumulate in the skin, do not cause allergic reactions. They are widely used in products for sensitive skin and children's sunscreens. These filters are active immediately after application.

The disadvantage of these filters is the difficulty of introducing them into the emulsion to obtain a comfortable cream texture. White mask when applied, stickiness, inability to apply makeup products due to rolling off the protective cream - the most common phenomenon in low-quality creams with physical filters.

Chemical filters - synthesized organic compounds: cinnamates, salicylates, benzophenones. The action begins 20-30 minutes after application, due to the penetration of filters into the upper layers of the skin.

The disadvantages of these filters - they can cause allergic reactions, with prolonged use in high doses, they cause a hormone-like effect.

How to choose the right sunscreen?

So, how to choose your cream that is maximally protects the skin and allows you to keep the most pleasant memories of your summer vacation for a long time.

The first thing that will make things easier is the emphasis on the manufacturer. It is necessary to use products from well-known manufacturers of a professional or pharmacy series. Purchase creams in places where the correct storage of products is ensured, which does not allow exposure to direct sunlight, too high or low temperatures. The second step is to test the creams before purchasing. When squeezing onto your hand, evaluate its texture, it should be even, without delamination of the emulsion. Spread the cream in the required amount on the skin, and assess how easily it spreads, if there is no stickiness and a white shield after application. The more comfortable the cream you choose, the more likely you will be using it on a daily basis.

Safety rules for sunbathing

• Sun is the most aggressive from 11.00 to 16.00, it is best to come to the beach in the morning and evening
• Apply SPF cream 20 minutes before sun exposure, and do not forget to renew it every 2 hours!
• Do your best to protect your face from the sun with hats (hats, baseball caps with a visor), and your skin will thank you in the future.
• Children under 5 years old should not be in the open sun without clothes and headgear, even in the shade, apply baby protective cream to them on exposed areas of the body.
• SPF cream should be applied in summer even in cloudy weather.

But we must not forget that the sun can be active not only on the southern coast. In our temperate latitudes, in spring and summer, the solar radiation is intense enough not to use sunscreens, especially for modern women, who should have time everywhere and everywhere, while staying young and well-groomed, without the slightest signs of photoaging (age spots, blood vessels, early wrinkles) .

In addition, a number of procedures offered by modern cosmetology require the application of sunscreens in order to avoid complications: photorejuvenation, laser rejuvenation, beauty injections, microdermabrasion, acid peels, etc.

A cream with SPF 30 that is optimal in terms of protective properties and comfort of texture

PCA Skin Sunscreens for Various Skin Types

Our choice is sunscreens from PCA Skin, which are approved for everyday use by the Society for the Protection against Skin Cancer with a protection rating of SPF 30+ to 50. This is a whole series of professional sunscreens for various types and conditions of the skin:

• SPF for acne
• SPF for sensitive skin
• SPF for hyperpigmentation
• SPF with toning effect
• SPF for dry skin
• Triple Action Eye SPF
• Waterproof SPF for outdoor activities and swimming

Skin Photoaging

Don't forget about skin photoaging. These negative processes in our skin do not develop immediately and have a cumulative effect. With age, the skin is less and less effective against the ultraviolet rays of the sun and, unfortunately, all the "mistakes of youth" accumulate and appear in adulthood. For the correction and prevention of photo- and chrono-aging, we recommend the course skin photorejuvenation.

Do not abuse the sun and teach children from childhood to be careful with sunbathing. We wish you a good rest and pleasant impressions!