In recent years, along with environmental pollution and climate change, the intensity of UV radiation has gradually increased. Prolonged sun exposure can not only cause hyperpigmentation and ageing, but also increase the risk of cataracts, skin cancer, and other diseases. Strong UV radiation especially causes serious damage to the skin, such as sunburn, itchiness, blisters, and more.

Sunscreen has become an essential part of daily skin care, especially for those who frequently engage in outdoor activities or are constantly under the sun. But with so many sunscreen products available, how can you choose the one that works best for you in preventing sunburn and protecting your skin health? We will provide a complete guide on how to choose sunscreen products and when to use them.

What is UV radiation?

UV radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that has a shorter wavelength than visible light. It is divided into three categories: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC is absorbed by the atmosphere and cannot harm the human body, but UVA and UVB can penetrate through clouds and glass and directly reach our skin, causing skin damage.

How should I choose the right sunscreen products?

Sunscreen ingredients

Sunscreen can be divided into physical and chemical sunscreens. Physical sunscreen uses inorganic substances such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect UV rays. It forms a reflective film on the skin surface physically and reflects, refracts, or scatters UV rays through the sunscreen particles in the product, reducing skin damage caused by UV radiation. On the other hand, chemical sunscreen uses organic compounds such as benzophenone and octyl methoxycinnamate to absorb UV rays, which are then converted into heat energy and released, thereby reducing skin damage.

People with sensitive skin are recommended to use physical sunscreen as it is less irritating to the skin, while other individuals can choose sunscreen products based on their preferences and needs.

Moisturising ingredients

When choosing a sunscreen, it's also important to check if it contains moisturising ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and arbutin. These ingredients can help maintain skin moisture and prevent dryness and skin ageing.

Texture

Generally speaking, cream-type sunscreen is thicker and more suitable for use in dry environments, while spray-type sunscreen is lighter and more suitable for use in humid environments. You can also choose sunscreens that have both moisturising and sun protection functions.

SPF value

SPF stands for the “Sun Protection Factor” of sunscreen, which indicates how well it can protect you from UVB radiation. For example, SPF50 sunscreen can resist 98% of UVB radiation. The SPF value represents how long your skin can be protected from sunburn. Although a higher SPF value indicates a better protection effect, sunscreen products with too high SPF values also mean that they have a higher concentration of sunscreen molecules, which may clog pores and increase the risk of skin allergies. Therefore, there is no need to buy products with extremely high SPF values.

PA value

PA stands for “Protection Grade of UVA”, which indicates how well the sunscreen can resist UVA radiation. The PA value is indicated by the '+' sign, with PA+, PA++, and PA+++ representing “low”, “medium” and “strong” levels of UVA protection respectively. If you need to engage in outdoor activities, you should choose a sunscreen with PA+++ or higher.

Misconceptions of sunscreen

Although most of us know the importance of sunscreen, there are still some misconceptions about it that need to be clarified to achieve the best sun protection effect.

×Is applying sunscreen once enough?

Some people think that applying sunscreen once is enough to protect the skin. But in fact, sunscreen wears off over time and needs to be reapplied every 3 hours or more.

×Sunscreen is not needed when there is no sunshine

UV radiation exists even on cloudy or rainy days, so you need to apply sunscreen even when there is no sunshine.

×Can sunscreen replace make-up products?

Although many products on the market combine sunscreen and makeup functions, it does not mean that sunscreen can replace makeup. They have different functions and should not be confused with each other.

Choosing the right sunscreen product can effectively resist UV radiation and protect skin health. But it's also important not to overdo it, especially for those who do not get much sunlight exposure. Plus, sunscreen is just a part of the skincare routine, you should also pay attention to other aspects such as getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and not smoking to protect skin health. We hope that you can understand the importance of sunscreen and start protecting your skin.