The Importance of Sun Protection

When I used to hear the word "sunscreen" or "sunblock" I never gave it much thought. I knew that it was something we needed to protect our skin from the sun, but I never realized the importance of it. It wasn't until I became interested in skincare that I finally understood just how important it was, and taking the Esthetics program at my school further reinforced my belief that sun protection is probably the most important skincare you need to have in your routine.

What is a sunblock?

A sunblock or a sunscreen is a cream/lotion that is applied to the skin to protect it against the damaging effects of UVA and UVB from the sun.

What is UVA and UVB?

First off, UV stands for "ultra violet" rays. The "A" in UVA stands for "aging" which targets the dermis (deeper layer of the skin" and attacks your collagen which causes wrinkles. The "B" in UVB stands for "burning" which targets the epidermis (superficial layer of the skin) and causes hyperpigmentation, sun burn, and skin cancer.

When picking out a sunblock, make sure you get one that says "broad spectrum protection". This means that the sunblock will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Also, make sure you get nothing lower than SPF 30.

What does SPF mean?

SPF simply means "sun protection factor". It measures the strength and effectiveness of the sunblock. The number of SPF goes as high as 50, and anything higher than that will be labeled SPF 50+. Personally, I go for SPF 50, and apply it every two hours. If you're concerned about reapplying over your makeup, there are now powder forms of sun protection available. You can use those as a powder touch up every two hours, and you're also keeping your skin safe from the sun! It's a win-win.

What is the difference between sunblock and sunscreen? Which one should I get?

Sunblocks are also called physical sunscreens, and they contain ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. They work by acting as a barrier, causing the harmful rays to bounce off your skin. Sunscreens are also called chemical sunscreens, and they usually contain ingredients such as avobenzone and oxybenzone. Sunscreens work by absorbing the rays and transforming them into heat energy. Although both are effective, sunblocks are a better choice because they do not absorb the chemicals into your skin, whereas sunscreens have been claimed to absorb the chemicals into the bloodstream. If you're looking to choose one, I suggest go for sunblocks, although I must say, any sun protection is better than no protection at all.

I hope this was helpful and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me my leaving a comment or emailing me!

See you all in my next post!