Selecting the best SPF for face is really important for your health. Prolonged exposure -especially at inadvisable times- can cause a series of damages to the skin because ultraviolet (UV) rays, one of the components of solar radiation, can penetrate the skin and cause burns, premature skin aging, eye damage and certain types of cancer.
Knowing how to choose a good protector is key to avoiding blisters to certain cancers, as well as cold sores. Delve into the skincare world and learn about the best SPF for face.
Table of Contents
Why is it necessary to protect yourself from the sun?
There are three types of UV rays: A, B and C. The ones that would worry us the most are UVC because they are very aggressive, but most are absorbed in the atmosphere while UVA and UVB pass through much more. The ozone layer does not completely block UVB rays and it filters them less and less, which are more risky for the body. They are responsible for tanning, but also, secondarily, because they penetrate the deep layers of the skin, they destroy collagen, causing aging and cancer.
The skin is the natural barrier against the sun, and its effectiveness depends on what is called “phototype”. Phototype 1 is the one that never tans and always burns. Also, it is very sensitive skin that easily reddens and blisters. This is how you get to number 5, which is the one we see tanned all year round and it never has burns on its skin but instead acquires an enviable color. Finally, the range is completed with phototype 6, which describes people of color.
When exposed to the sun, the skin activates its biological defense, provided by the natural pigment melanin. So, one could say that if you tan a little, you protect yourself. But, when that happens, the skin has already been burned and damage has already occurred. To avoid this, modern sunscreens and screens for external use were developed. Its action is combined with physical barriers: the ozone layer, clothing, hats and glasses. In this sense, looking for the best SPF for face is really important because our skin is always exposed to the sun.
What is the meaning of SPF?
Sunscreens are classified according to the sun protection factor (SPF), a number that identifies the action against UV rays according to skin type. The higher the FPS, the higher the defense. In their formula, they contain filters that stop the action of UVA, which produces a quick tan, and UVB, which generates a long-lasting tan. As an approximation, the SPF is the number of times the product increases natural defense. If, when a person is exposed to the sun, erythema usually appears after 10 minutes, with a sun protection factor of 2, it would take 20 minutes. There exist four types of protection and understanding them is really important to select the best SPF for face.
- Low (SPF between 6.0 and 14.9): for skin that is not very sensitive to sunburn.
- Medium (SPF between 15.0 and 29.9): for moderately sensitive skin.
- High (SPF between 30.0 and 50): for very sensitive skin.
- Very high (SPF between 50 and 100): for extremely sensitive skin.
How to choose the best SPF for a face?
To decide what is the best SPF for face, it is important to keep in mind that there are different types of skin depending on the skin tone, hair and eyes of the person, which also determines how long we can expose ourselves to the sun and what factor we should use. Light skin needs more protection from the sun than dark skin, so each skin type requires a specific sun protection factor. So, the most suitable SPF for your skin type varies depending on the amount of time your skin can protect itself, that is, it depends on how long it can be exposed to the sun without burning.
When choosing the right product, it is recommended the one that protects against both types of radiation: UVA and UVB. Also, it is advisable to choose at least SPF 25 but for very sensitive skin using an SPF greater than 50 is the best option.
There is a very useful formula to calculate the best SPF for face and enjoy the sun wherever you are: by multiplying the time your skin can be in the sun without getting burned by the sun protection factor, you can calculate how long you will be protected from the sun. A higher sun protection factor will prolong the time you can sunbathe pleasantly and will also guarantee you a healthy tan.
What is the best travel skincare routine?
During the holidays it is very important to take care of your skin since it is usually more exposed to the sun. So, selecting the best travel skincare routine steps is crucial. With an adequate routine, several objectives are intended to be achieved, although these mainly have to do with providing the skin with good hydration, ensuring that it is free of dead cells, oxygenating it and keeping acne and other types of imperfections at bay. Ultimately, the goal is to keep the face as healthy as possible, always meeting the particular needs of each skin type. And this is something very convenient to do in the bathroom at home, where you have all your products. But what can we do in case of a trip? The basic steps of a facial care routine involved four products. Let’s see them.
- Face cleaner: one of the non-negotiables of skincare is the product responsible for deeply cleaning the skin and its pores. It is necessary to use a cleanser suitable for the skin.
- Serum: you can choose one that contains hyaluronic acid due its versatility.
- Moisturizer: don’t miss this product to keep your facial skin hydrated and protected.
- Sunscreen: it is non-negotiable. Don’t forget to select the best SPF for your face and the rest of your body.
