Sunscreen is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or blocks some of the sun’s ultraviolet(UV) radiation and helps protect against sunburn and premature ageing of the skin.
Depending on the active ingredients, sunscreens can be classified into physical sunscreens which reflect the UV light or chemical sunscreens which absorb the UV light. Sunscreens are normally labelled with a sun protection factor (SPF) that measures the fraction of sunburn-producing UVB rays that reach the skin. For example, “SPF 15” means that 1⁄15 of the burning radiation reaches the skin through the recommended thickness of sunscreen. It does not measure the protection level for the UVA rays which contribute to the development of skin cancers and skin ageing.
As many sunscreens do not provide an adequate UVA radiation protection, it is important to choose the sunscreen which is labelled “Broad spectrum” meaning covering both UVA and UVB rays.
For your knowledge, the SPF 15+ blocks 94% of rays, while SPF 30+ blocks 97% of rays, and SPF 50+ blocks 98% of rays. So, if you think you get double protection if you apply SPF 50+ and can stay in the sun much longer, you are misinformed.
We recommend the use of physical sunscreen over chemical sunscreen as they have high level of protection against UVA and UVB because their active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide act as the UV radiation blockers, have fewer chemicals in them.
The cheaper versions of physical sunblock will have just UV blockers in them, while the more expensive ones will include some anti-oxidants and moisturising formulations, giving your skin sun protection and skincare in one. Thinking long term, high quality sunblock with moisturising and anti-oxidants ingredients will save you money in doing lasers and fillers in the future and will keep your skin well protected and looking younger for longer.
Some warning about so called “Sunscreen Pills”: there is no currently a pill which protects your skin from the sun radiation and skin cancers. For more information about Sunscreen Pills please more.