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1. Are chemical sunscreens better than physical sunscreens?
Chemical sunscreens use organic absorber to absorb UV rays and invalid the damage of UV achieving a full blockage of a broad spectrum UV rays, with some even reported to retain their efficacy on human skin for up to 8 hours. However, you need to take note that components in chemical sunscreens, which include oxybenzone, avobenzone (Parsol 1789) may be detrimental in certain instances and the fact that avobenzone degrades about thirty minutes after application. If you want good chemical sunscreens, choose those European brands with Mexoryl and Tinosorb as they offer superior protection according to this study.
2. Is a sunscreen with higher SPF better?
I have addressed this before and indicated that studies have shown that products with a SPF over 50 do not provide any significantly better protection than one over 30 because when applied properly, an SPF 15 filters out 93 percent of UVB, SPF 30 filters 97 percent and SPF 50 filters 98 percent. Thus for daily usage when you do come into contact with some amount of sun exposure, an SPF 30 formula is good enough.
However, there is an advantage of picking a higher SPF sunscreen because most people are likely getting a significantly lower SPF level because they’re usually not applying enough (see next tip for application amount). But please note that a 15 SPF facial moisturizer plus a 15 SPF facial sunscreen does not equal 30 SPF. It’s still just 15 SPF.
3. How much sunscreen should I apply on my face and my body?
1/4 to 1/3 of a tsp of sunscreen is apparently adequate for our face, as I have examined here. For the rest of our body, I understand it is 1/2 tsp to each arm, 1/2 tsp each to the front and back of our torso, and 1 tsp to each leg.
4. Do I need to apply moisturizer before my sunscreen?
Check your sunscreen formulation. Unless your skin is very dry, some of the formulations are pretty emollient and it may not be necessary to apply a moisturizer before applying your sunscreen.
In addition, note that a chemical sunscreen should go on clean, bare skin first and you need to give it time to be absorbed, because in order to be effective, it must interact with skin cells. On the other hand, a sunscreen with a physical block like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide can be applied last, after a serum or moisturizer.
5. Do moisturizers or mineral makeup with SPF provide adequate UV protection if used on their own?
Yes, if you use the required dosage of 1/4 to 1/3 tsp on your face. But this isn’t feasible as it would mean your makeup would be too thick. So, it is still better to use a sunscreen. Also consider the compatibility of your sunscreen with your makeup and it is best not to layer non-micronized mineral makeup with an avobenzone containing chemical sunscreen.
6. How long should I wait to apply foundation or makeup over my sunscreen?
Technically, it is best to wait 20 minutes after applying a chemical sunscreen before putting on your foundation or makeup because it takes that length of time for sunscreens to optimally distribute themselves within the stratum corneum (horny outer layer of the epidermis). However, in reality, this may not be feasible especially in the mornings when we’re rushing for time. So do some time management if you wish to optimize your sunscreen. Otherwise, use a physical sunscreen because they are effective immediately upon application.
7. How frequent do we need to reapply sunscreen on a normal day-to-day basis?
Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours to remain effective, especially when you’re exposed to strong sun rays. But on a normal daily basis, my dermatologist has recommended that we should all try to re-apply at least once in the midday. For those of us wearing makeup, I suppose using one with SPF and reapplying often would be helpful in this case.
8. Do I need sunscreen even though I stay indoors most of the time and if so, what SPF do I use?
UVA rays can penetrate the windows so it’s important to wear a sunscreen even if you’re indoors and wearing one with at least an SPF 15 should give you sufficient protection.
9. Do I need to apply sunscreen even when it’s cloudy, raining or snowing?
Yes, wear your sunscreen rain or shine and even during winter because UV rays can penetrate clouds, mist and fog as well as get reflected on snow by up to 80%.
10. What’s the difference between a sunscreen that is water resistant and a sunscreen that is waterproof?
According to the FDA, sunscreens labelled as water resistant must maintain their SPFs after 40 minutes of being submerged in water while sunscreens labelled as waterproof must maintain their SPFs after 80 minutes.