What to look for in a suncream & how to find one that suits your skin
With so much choice on the market, you can feel bombarded with sun creams and difficult to decipher which are actually providing your skin with an adequate degree of protection. Here’s our summary of what you should look for and what would suit you.
SPF over 30
SPF measures the amount of protection a sunscreen can provide you against the sun's UVB rays. It is rated on a scale from two to 50+. The higher the SPF number, the stronger the protection you'll have.
Therefore, if you would normally start burning within 30 minutes without sun protection, then a sunscreen with SPF 30 would theoretically provide you with 30 times more protection, which equates to 15 hours of protection. The NHS recommends reapplying sunscreen at least every two hours, suggesting that children and adults use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30.
Broad Spectrum
The sun emits several types of ultraviolet light, so it’s important you protect against all of them. Arguably the two most important things to look for on the label are ‘broad spectrum,’ which indicates the sunscreen protects against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) and the SPF rating, which indicates how well it protects against UVB.
The vast majority of sunscreens are formulated with more than one sunscreen filter to cover a broader range of wavelengths so look for a broad-spectrum sun cream which covers both UVB rays and a significant portion of the UVA spectrum.
Chemical vs. Physical
Sunscreens are made with either chemical sun blockers or physical ones. Each works differently to do the same thing. A chemical block is a sunblock with several different chemicals in it and they work by absorbing UV rays into the tissue, and when ultraviolet rays pass into the skin, they change the rays into a longer wavelength which is less harmful so that it’s not so damaging.
Physical or mineral sunscreens sit on the skin to reflect light away from the skin. Only two types of physical sunscreens have been approved; Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. If you have more sensitive skin, a mineral sunscreen may be a better choice because it is less likely to cause skin reactions compared to chemical sunscreens.
Antioxidants
The sun depletes your skin’s antioxidants, so it is ideal if you can replace those healthy molecules while you protect against the sun’s rays. Look for one that contains the potent antioxidant vitamin E, which helps protect against environmental damage.
In Summary, we can recommend a very good Sun Cream: SOS SPF 50.
SPF 50
Broad-Spectrum
Mineral based filters & so delivers ultimate UVA and UVB protection
Infused with antioxidants