UV rays are your worst enemy when it comes to skin care. UV radiation, while invisible, they are constantly attacking your skin when you are out in the sun, which damages the skin and can lead to sunburns and skin cancer. Sunscreen is your best protection and must be used religiously if you are going to be outside and should be reapplied every two to three hours. No matter which skincare ingredients you put on your skin and how good they are, you will not have the best results if you are not protecting your skin from UV.
There are several things to consider when considering a sunscreen to use. First, you should make sure you use the best sunscreen depending on your skin type and skin condition you have. There are two types of sunscreen – chemical and mineral sunscreen. Most people would do well with chemical sunscreens, which form the vast majority of sunscreens found in stores. But if you have skin conditions (e.g., hyperpigmentation, melasma, eczema, etc.) or have sensitive skin, it is best to use mineral sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens tend to be mostly formulated with Zinc Oxide, which is an anti-inflammatory ingredient, hence it would soothe a sensitive skin and offer anti-inflammatory benefits if you have a skin condition. It is also noteworthy that mineral sunscreens do not penetrate the skin to enter the bloodstream which happens in the case chemical sunscreen. While there isn’t enough research data on what happens when chemical sunscreen enters the blood stream, mineral sunscreens are usually recommended for pregnant mothers. Second, always wear sunscreens that are NAFE-safe (No Alcohol (denatured), Fragrance, and Essential Oils). This should ideally be the principle you use when selecting your skincare. Finally, always wear a sunscreen with broad spectrum – that is, it provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays, with at least SPF 30. If you have sensitive skin or usually suffer from melasma, hyperpigmentation, etc., always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50, which would give you the best protection against UBV rays.
One downside of mineral sunscreen that deter people (especially those with darker skin color) from using it, is it leaves a white cast on the skin. However, if you find a good mineral sunscreen and rub it in the skin well, the white cast should disappear after a while. This should also not be a problem if you are wearing makeup. There are also several tinted mineral sunscreens, which would reduce the white cast and one can use it as a primer when wearing makeup. Since Zinc Oxide is usually an expensive ingredient, most mineral sunscreens are more expensive than chemical sunscreens. This is another reason why some people lean towards chemical sunscreen.
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