The arrival of summer is a challenge for the whole body. This year, the first heat waves have already hit us. When it is hot and muggy, remember to drink plenty of water! It is worth taking care of your headgear to protect you from strokes, and protect your skin with a sunscreen. There are many of them on the market. What to look for to choose the best one for you?
Labels on sunscreen products
UVA and UVB
The first thing we should look at when choosing a sunscreen product is UVA and UVB protection. These are two types of radiation that affect our skin differently.
UVA accounts for 95% of the radiation reaching the Earth. It does not change regardless of the season. It is the main reason why we should apply sun protection all year round. Unlike UVB, UVA does not produce immediately visible effects on our skin. It causes much more damage by penetrating through the epidermis all the way to the dermis. It destroys the cells that produce collagen and elastin. By not protecting our skin, we can be sure that the signs of aging like sagging and grayness, will appear much sooner than they should.
UVB is the biggest problem in summer. UVB is responsible for tanning, but also for erythema and burns. During the summer season, it is recommended to avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 3 pm.
SPF - what does it mean?
SPF - or Sun Protect Factor tells consumers how long we can safely be in the sun before unwanted erythema appears. We recommend using high SPF protection, although there are three grades available on the market:
Low protection: SPF 6-10
Medium protection: SPF 15-25
High: SPF 30-50+
SPF50+ is the highest level of protection that can be achieved with a cream. If you find a cosmetic product promising 100% protection... we advise you to think twice about it.
Fun fact
The material of the jeans has a protection factor of 80. If the material of the jeans does not provide full protection, how could the cream achieve such a result? It is impossible.
Blue Light
When choosing a sunscreen, we recommend going for products that offer protection against all types of radiation. A few years ago, protection against UVA and UVB was enough to call a product effective. Today we know that the blue light emitted by the screens of electrical devices (smart phones, laptops, televisions) is even more dangerous than UVA and UVB. It penetrates deeper than UVA and wreaks even more havoc on tissues.
Mineral or chemical filters?
Mineral filters are considered to be more gentle both for our skin and in their protective effect. They have a more natural composition, but unfortunately this often results in a weaker and shorter effect. They focus mainly on reflecting the sun's rays, absorbing them and turning them into heat.
Chemical sunscreens provide more effective protection. They work longer, but it is recommended to wait about half an hour after applying the cream before going out in the sun. During this time, the cream will be absorbed and the active ingredients contained in it will begin to work.
Caution
When deciding on a chemical sunscreen, pay attention to whether it contains oxybenzone or octinoxate. These are common ingredients in chemical filters with a high risk of toxicity.
#dottoreadvices
City SUN is a cream for everyday use, created for people living fast. Thanks to its light texture, the cream is quickly absorbed and does not leave white marks, and is a perfect base for makeup. It provides protection against UVA, UVB and Blue Light. Due to its moisturizing properties, it can also replace a day cream.
