How to choose the right sunscreen for the skin of the face?

Ultraviolet rays of the sun can have a great effect on skin health as well as external aesthetics. Although most people know that sunscreen is an effective tool to protect their skin, not everyone knows how to choose the right sunscreen, especially choosing sunscreen for the face. Actually, this skin is inherently more sensitive, needs more special care, so it needs to be selected sunscreen different from the one used for the body.

Choose sunscreen with "broad spectrum" protection

Sunscreens with this label will provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays. All sunscreen products inherently protect from UVB rays, which is the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer. At the same time, UVA rays also contribute to skin cancer and premature aging. Only sunscreen products that pass certain checks can be labeled "broad spectrum". Products that do not have a broad-spectrum sun protection effect only help protect against sunburn, not even skin cancer or skin aging.

Make sure sunscreen has an SPF of 30 or higher

The SPF is the level of protection that sunscreen provides against UVB rays. A higher SPF means that users will be more protected. However, the higher the index, the smaller the difference. SPF 15 sunscreen filters about 93% UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreen filters about 97% until SPF 50 sunscreen is about 98% and SPF 100 is about 99%. Accordingly, the truth is that no sunscreen completely protects the skin.

Choose one with "waterproof" properties

This does not mean "waterproof" because no sunscreen is waterproof or "sweat-free". Meanwhile, this concept is understood to be usable when users engage in water activities such as bathing, swimming or sweating. However, for best results, reapply sunscreen at least once every 2 hours and even more often if participating in water contact activities. At the same time, sunscreen usually drifts away when wiping people dry, so it will be necessary to apply more.

Like facial moisturizers, facial sunscreens tend to be prepared differently from those for body use. Unlike general body areas, facial skin is affected by daily exposure to external environmental factors. It is also home to the most delicate areas of skin – such as the skin under the eyes. Therefore, the best modern facial sunscreens are prepared according to high standards, combining the same functions as skin care products. This will help to create a comfortable feeling when applied on the face, with a lighter texture and easier to absorb than sunscreen used for other skin areas of the body.

Thus, sunscreens for the face have differences from body sunscreens as follows:

• Lighter texture
• Non-greasy
• Acne-prone (designed not to clog pores)
• High efficiency – high SPF and wide spectrum protection
• No fragrance so it does not affect other skin care products
• There are special formulas for different skin types – dry, oily or mixed skin
• Fast permeability, suitable when used in combination underneath makeup products.

If you have ever chosen to buy sunscreen, users sometimes have difficulty facing a variety of products. Besides, although applying body sunscreen on the face is not really dangerous, applying a specialized sunscreen for this sensitive skin will bring a more comfortable feeling; at the same time, the skin is also taken care of more optimally.

The following are the instructions for choosing sunscreen suitable for the face:

Broad spectrum

Since the sunscreen's SPF only describes the sun's ability to prevent harmful UVB rays while sunscreens with a high SPF do not mean that it will block the sun's UVA rays, the choice of sunscreen must be marked as "broad spectrum" for comprehensive sun protection.

Especially when used on sensitive skin on the face, sunscreen must work to prevent rays that cause premature aging.

Non-allergenic

Compared to the skin on the body, the skin of the face is especially prone to pimples, especially in people with acne oily skin. These pimples may be caused by blocked pores on the face, which promotes the accumulation of bacteria that lead to the appearance of acne.

Sunscreens marked as "acne-free" have been prepared using special ingredients that will not clog pores.

Oil-not-only (for those with oily skin)

Similar to acne-causing products, sunscreen made from oil can clog pores and contribute to the development of acne, especially when mixed with natural oils on the skin.

In addition, many women use sunscreen applied as a foundation under their makeup. Accordingly, using sunscreen for oily faces along with makeup can make the skin feel heavy. Therefore, it is necessary to choose sunscreen for oily skin if you are a person who has the opportunity to carry this skin.

Moisturizing (for those with dry skin)

The choice of using sunscreen with moisturizing properties may be enough to take care of the skin during the day as a "two-in-one" product for people with dry skin.

No smell

Fragrance products often irritate the skin of the face which is very sensitive. Many sunscreens contain perfumes that are not specified on the packaging.

Therefore, it is important for users to try sunscreen before buying it with the permission of the retailer or find a sunscreen specially labeled as "fragrance-free".

In addition to choosing the right sunscreen and using it properly, smart users also need to follow these steps to help protect their skin from the harmful effects of the sun, minimizing the risk of premature aging and skin cancer:

Cover the skin. When it is necessary to go to the sun, wear clothes and a wide-brimmed hat to protect the skin as much as possible. Also do not forget to protect the eyes with sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV rays.

Find the shade. Limit direct exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the time when UV rays are strongest during the day.

Limit the use of sunbeds and sun lamps. These forms always carry risks that can cause skin damage from the level of microcytes that progress to severe over a long period of time. This becomes a contributing factor to skin cancer.

In summary, finding the right sunscreen in general or choosing sunscreen for the face in particular is not a challenge if equipped with certain understandings, especially when understanding the characteristics of your facial skin. In fact on the market there are many different options for the right sunscreen, based on everything from the type of skin and the circumstances of use. Therefore, each person should be smart consumers, combined with ways to cover the skin, to maintain bright and youthful skin away from the effects of the sun.

Reference sources: cancer.org, laroche-posay.co.uk, qsun.co, thehealthy.com