Welcome to NJC! In this blog post, we delve into the world of sunscreen, combining scientific knowledge with skincare expertise. Discover the importance of sunscreen, learn how it works, and explore our top recommendations for the best sunscreens currently available in the market. Get ready to elevate your sun protection game and keep your skin healthy, radiant, and beautifully shielded.
What is SPF?
SPF is a numerical value assigned to sunscreen products, indicating their ability to prevent sunburn caused by UVB rays. The SPF number represents the level of protection the sunscreen provides.Protection against UVB rays: UVB rays are a type of ultraviolet radiation from the sun that causes sunburn and plays a significant role in the development of skin cancer. SPF specifically measures the sunscreen’s effectiveness in blocking UVB rays.
SPF rating and UVB protection: The SPF rating corresponds to the degree of UVB protection offered by the sunscreen. For example, a sunscreen with SPF 30 provides approximately 97% protection against UVB rays, while SPF 50 provides around 98% protection. Higher SPF values offer slightly increased protection, but the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is relatively small. Time and sunburn prevention: SPF indicates how much longer you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned compared to not wearing any sunscreen. For example, if it typically takes 10 minutes for your skin to start turning red in the sun, an SPF 30 sunscreen would extend that time by 30 times (10 minutes x SPF 30 = 300 minutes) before sunburn occurs. In next part let’s see what are types of sunscreen.
Types of Sunscreen
- Physical (Mineral) Sunscreens:
- Physical sunscreens contain active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which form a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, reflecting and scattering UV rays.
- These sunscreens are generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin and offer immediate protection upon application.
- Chemical Sunscreens:
- Chemical sunscreens use active ingredients like avobenzone and homosalate, which absorb UV rays and convert them into heat.
- They tend to have a lightweight texture and can be easier to blend into the skin, making them popular for everyday use.
Some of the most effective sunscreen are here, I have used these personally and they have worked very well for me
- Elta MD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46: Zinc oxide based ( Physical sunscreen )Really like the texture as this absorbs quickly and has no white cast.
- BLUE LIZARD Sensitive Face Mineral Sunscreen Lotion with Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, SPF 30+ : Due to Hyaluronic acid this sunscreen really has a light texture and works well on dry skin.
- Supergoop !Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++ : light weight, no white cast sunscreen works really well with Makeup
- CeraVe Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30 : Moisturizing Lotion with broad-spectrum SPF 30, With ceramides ,niacinamide and hyaluronic acid
NJC 