How can one choose sunscreen cosmetics correctly? How can one avoid getting lost in the terms found in the product description? Everything will become clearer this summer, since Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed new simplified standards.
What’s New in UV Protection Products?
All sunscreens will now be labeled as “water resistant”. This term replaces the terms “waterproof” and “sweatproof”. The recognizable word “sunblocks” will also disappear because, according to FDA experts, it exaggerates the effectiveness of sun protection products and misleads the consumers. Such cosmetic products can not provide immediate protection from the sun and act for more than two hours without reapplication. In addition, the “broad spectrum” marker can be applied to the label of the product only if it equally protects the skin from exposure to UVB-rays (the main reason for skin cancer) and UVA-rays that cause skin aging.
Minimum 30 SPF Is the Perfect UV Protection
Being on the street at any time of day in spring and summer, you need to apply a sunscreen every two hours. If the arms and legs are covered with clothing, the product must be applied on the face and hands. If you are on vacation, do not forget to use a cream or lotion after every bath. On cloudy days, protection is also needed because clouds do not stop ultraviolet rays.
How Much Sun Lotion Is Needed?
The rule is simple: a small glass and a spoon for the body and face respectively. That is how much sunscreen you will need to effectively protect the skin.
Lip Protection
Do we need to protect lips from the sun? Certainly! Many people forget to do it, but they should not. Most of the products for lip protection have at least sun protection factor 15. But it is best to buy a hygienic lipstick with 30 SPF and not to use lip gloss, which can become a kind of “a magnifying glass”. So, instead of protecting the lips, you will get sunburns.
Sun Protection for Oily Skin
Are sunscreens contraindicated to oily and sensitive skin? No. For oily skin, you can use mineral-based products in the form of sprays and gels. For sensitive skin, there are products with micronized titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide. They provide gentle protection and irritate the skin not so strongly, unlike chemical compounds that are used in most sun protection products.
If you use a sunscreen in the proper amount, the bottle will be enough for about a couple of weeks. Do not leave it stored for the “next vacation”, which will not take place any earlier than next year. Sun protection cosmetic products eventually lose their effect, especially if the bottle is stored in a warm room.
