How to Choose a Sunscreen Cream?

The most important point to consider when choosing a sunscreen cream is skin type differences. It should not be forgotten that everyone has different sensitivity to sun rays, for this the cream you choose should be completely specific to your skin characteristic. The geographical region we live in, skin and race differences are the most important factors that reveal these details. In general, those living in the northern regions are more sensitive to the sun. Those living in the southern regions have skin types that are less or not affected by the sun. Very very light-skinned should choose extreme protection, very light-skinned should choose high protection, -wheat skins should prefer medium protection, dark skins should prefer lower factor sun protection.

As with daily creams, different products for face and body should be preferred in the selection of sunscreen. Skin type differences should also be considered in the selection of sunscreen for the face. For example, those with sensitive, dry or light-colored skin should use products in the form of creams that provide more intense moisture. Those with oily and normal skin types can use products in gel form. Those with acne-prone skin can still use gel-form products, but they should also prefer higher protection.

For a healthy sun protection, which features should we look for in a product and which ingredients should we pay attention to?

The most important point is that sunscreen contains both UVB and UVA protection. Because in the absence of one, it is not possible to talk about full sun protection. To summarize: UVB rays provide tanning, but when we are so much exposed to UVB rays, it damages the top layer of the skin, which we call the epidermis. It causes redness, edema, irritation, pain, burning sensation and sunstroke. It harms the immunity of the skin.

It is effective in the formation of skin spots and cancer. UVA rays are effective all year round. Since the wavelength is longer than UVB, it also passes through windows or car windows. Again, since the wavelength is long, it goes down to the dermis layer, which is a lower layer of the skin. It damages photo-aging, skin spots, skin’s immune system and DNA. It is effective in the formation of skin cancer. Therefore, it is very important to choose a product that provides protection against both rays. In summary, we can collect the main task of a solar product under 4 headings:

• Maintaining the Immunity of the Skin
• Protecting the DNA structure of the skin
• Protect against photo-aging
• Protecting against free radicals

The combination of these four features are important points that we should pay attention to in protecting your skin against the harmful rays of the sun.

What are the misconceptions we know about sunscreen?

High-factor sunscreens are thought to prevent tanning, whereas sunscreens protect your skin against the sun’s rays, prolonging the time you stay in the sun. Another misconception is that our need for vitamin D is blocked by sunscreens. Vitamin D synthesis occurs by UVB rays.

10-15 minutes of sunbathing at the midday is the ideal time for vitamin D. UVB rays are not effective in the morning and afternoon hours. But since UVA is effective all day and in all seasons, not using sunscreen during these hours causes photo-aging. In summary, the need for vitamin D can be met by sunbathing for 10-15 minutes with a good protection product at the midday.

How to use sunscreen most effectively?

Sun products should be applied half an hour before going out in the sun, and should be repeated every 3 hours throughout the day. Cream should not be applied less, it should be plentiful and cover the area we are cream up. When the amount is much, the sun protection factor adjusts the height protection, which is important for protection. The active ingredients of sunscreens and the physical and chemical filters that do not whiten in harmony with each other are as important as the galenic formulation, its application to the skin, its compatibility and its homogeneous distribution. Choosing products that are easy to use for you will increase the comfort of use.

Is it possible to both get brown and provide sun protection?

As we mentioned above, sunscreens do not prevent your suntanning, on the contrary, they provide protection from the harmful rays of the sun and contribute to your healthy suntanning.

Is there a way to protect the areas where we cannot use sunscreen, such as hair, palms, behind the ears? Do we have to protect these areas?

Umbrellas, hats, glasses, white and light colored t-shirts that we use to protect us from the sun protect us against the sun to some extent. It is possible to protect our hair with UV-protected hair nourishing moisturizers and oils. However, it is not possible to say that all these provide 100% protection. That’s why I recommend using products in capsule form that provide sun protection from the inside, not just with sunscreen.