At a Glance
- What is it? Sunscreen is an essential photo topical substance and the most commonly used skin protection against the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.
- Who should use it? Everyone under the sun—literally.
- When should I use it? Every day, even during days spent indoors. The recommended application when going outdoors is 30 minutes before stepping outside.
- Where should I use it? On all exposed skin—from the face to the neck to the back of the ears. Even the tops of your feet—sandal season, anyone?
- Remedy’s Recommendation: Frezyderm Sunscreen
It’s been repeatedly said by beauty gurus, dermatologists, skincare junkies, and a whole assortment of beauty blogs and articles. Still, it’s true—sunscreen is a non-negotiable part of your skincare routine. Regardless of age, skin type, lifestyle, or weather, religiously applying SPF is probably the best thing you can do for your skin health.
In summer, the ‘s’ is supposed to stand for surf, sun, and sand (okay, maybe a bit of sweat)—sun damage isn’t welcome here. With the rising temperatures and increasing number of beach trips that come with the season, if sunscreen still isn’t a regular part of your skincare routine, then now’s as good a time as any to start reaching for it. Trust us, your skin will be reaping the healthy, dewy, glowy benefits in the long run.
A 101 on SPF
You’ve spotted it on bottles of sunscreen, of course, but nowadays, a ton of skin and beauty products, from moisturizers to foundations, have begun incorporating SPF into their formulas. What does it mean, and what does it do?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a number that measures how well your sunscreen of choice will protect your skin from UVB rays—the kind of radiation that causes sunburns and all sorts of skin damage. Essentially, the SPF figure tells you how long you can stay under the sun without getting burned while wearing that particular sunscreen. We recommend at least SPF 30 that protects from 97% of the sun’s rays and even going up to 50% for 98% protection. To get the most bang for your buck, go for sunscreen that’s water resistant and “broad spectrum” or “full spectrum” to combat both UVB and UVA rays—the kind of radiation that ages and wrinkles the skin.
However, remember that no sunscreen can promise 100% protection so pair your go-to product with a brimmed hat, UV-protective clothing, and if you’re heading for the beach, a nice spot in the shade to enjoy warm waters, clear skies, and sunny days minus the sun damage.
Finding the perfect match
Sunscreen comes in all shapes and forms from the common creams, the sticks surfers tend to frequent, and even sprays meant for quick and even application. Many formulations also incorporate herbal ingredients, vitamins, and minerals to hydrate, mattify, soothe, and more. But to prevent an hour at the drugstore spent staring at the sunscreen aisle, there are two general types of sunscreen, and it all comes down to the ingredients.
Physical Sunscreen
Physical sunscreens block UV rays through mineral ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These key ingredients deflect and scatter the sun’s rays before penetrating the skin. Most physical sunscreens are great for sensitive skin due to their gentle, safe, and non-irritating properties. However, they usually come in a thick, opaque lotion or cream that leaves the infamous white cast. So, take your time with the application and rub it in well.
Chemical Sunscreen
Chemical sunscreen uses active ingredients like avobenzone and oxybenzone to prevent sun damage by absorbing UV rays. The runny texture eliminates the risk of a white cast, and hey, they’re even great to wear under makeup. Chemical sunscreens may contain ingredients that irritate sensitive skin, so check in with your skin’s history or consult your dermatologist before purchase.
Which is better?
Either! Both types of sunscreen have undergone tons of testing and have been deemed safe and effective. It’s all a matter of determining what formulations will work best for your skin and have you reaching for it day in and out.
It’s all in the application
Let’s say you’ve found the sunscreen for you. Great! Let’s not reduce its effectiveness by using less than the recommended amount. Plotting tiny dots of product on your face may make for a cute visual, but if we’re talking about getting the most out of your product, tiny dabs just won’t do.
For the face and neck, use up to half a teaspoon’s worth of product and scale up to two tablespoons for the entire body. If you’re spending long days at the beach, going through ¼ of your sunscreen bottle is perfectly normal—expected even. Don’t stop there! Reapply every 2 hours or as needed, especially if you’re swimming or sweating a lot.
If you’re going to outdoor functions that require putting on makeup, apply sunscreen after your moisturizer and before any sort of foundation or powder. If oily skin is a worry, look for oil-free or non-comedogenic formulas to prevent your base makeup slipping and sliding throughout the day. For reapplication, powder sunscreens are your best friend.
Reaping the benefits
Aside from the much-needed UV protection during beach days, sunscreen’s benefits are worth reaping year-round.
For one, it’s a great preventative move against skin cancers like Melanoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), and sunspots. UV rays are also infamous for aging the skin, so a regular sunscreen routine reduces the formation of wrinkles, freckles, small blood vessels, and hyperpigmented areas.
At Remedy, we believe that maintaining healthy skin is a lifelong process that’ll require commitment and dedication. All the benefits of incorporating sunscreen into your daily routine are worth every single minute spent during application.
When in doubt, reach out! If you’re still struggling to find a product that won’t break you out, leave you with greasy skin, or flaky makeup, we offer online consultations that’ll connect you to our dermatologists to assess your needs and assist with matching you to the perfect pick.
Book an appointment today! Contact us at +63 917 873 6339 / +63 2 7975 7984, Instagram (@remedy.ph), Facebook (@remedyph), and www.remedy.ph.
