What is SPF? How to choose face sunscreen

The sun's rays tickle your nose and your mood immediately gets perfect! You want to walk more, spend time outside and catch the sun ☀️

But if you don't protect your skin from harmful UV radiation, you'll end up with photoaging, age spots, dry and dull skin. Do you really need it?

We don’t think so.

The skin should be radiant, healthy, full of strength and wrinkle-free 👍

For this purpose, wonderful products with the abbreviation SPF were invented, and let's figure out what it is and how to choose a face sunscreen for you, sister.

What is SPF and why are these letters on a cream bottle

The letters SPF stand for sun protection factor, i.e. the factor of protection from the sun, namely from UV rays.

Please note there are two types of radiation in sunlight:

1. UVA radiation. This type does not cause burns, but it is precisely these rays that cause photoaging and can be the cause of cancer. All wrinkles, pigmentation, and creases on the skin are due to UVA. And the worst part is that this type of radiation is not blocked by glass, clouds, or even cold winter air.
2. UVB rays. This is the culprit of redness, peeling and other troubles that occur on the skin during prolonged exposure to the sun. The most powerful effect of UVB radiation is from 10 am till 4 pm, during this time UVB rays have a strong effect on the outer layer of the dermis.

You should choose a broad-spectrum facial SPF which will protect you from the negative effects of both types of radiation 💪

Have you figured it out?

Let's move on.

Protection levels: what are they

There are numbers on the sunscreen packaging next to the letters SPF. This indicator pointed out how effectively the product protects against UV radiation. For example:

• SPF15 - blocks 93% of the rays and allows you to stay in the sun 15 times longer than you could without SPF15;
• SPF30 - blocks 97% of radiation and increases the time spent in the sun by 30 times;
• SPF50 - maximum sun protection for the face with 98% of the rays blocked. It is the SPF with this level of protection that our sisters advise using before going for a walk ☝️

Please note that no cream will protect your skin 100%. But you are not going to be in the open sun all summer, right?

So let our sisters help you figure out which sunscreen is best for you. If you want to do this, you should read the product's composition (yes, you should read it and know what to look for).

Chemical filters in SPF

All the components that make up SPF protection for the face are conditionally divided into two groups:

• organic or chemical spf filters;
• mineral SPF filters.

Chemical SPF filters include components which do not reflect but absorb harmful UV radiation. The next-generation of chemical filters are effective in combating both UVA and UVB rays, so look for the following ingredients in a face cream with spf: Avobenzone, Octocrylene, Octinoxate, Tinosorb. Or you can get a selection of sunscreens with chemical filters from sisters:

Sunscreen with mineral filters

Sunscreen with mineral filters contains Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. These two components are responsible for a denser texture and can leave slight white marks (thus giving the effect of whitening the skin), which usually disappear quickly.

SPF with mineral filters seems to reflect or scatter ultraviolet radiation, but there is one big drawback: mineral filters have a short lifespan, which is why you need to reapply the face cream from time to time! We suggest you pay attention to the following SPF with mineral filters:

Our girls (well, okay, the world's leading cosmetologists, but our girls too) believe that the perfect sunscreen should contain both mineral and chemical filters. So that you don't waste your time searching for what kind of SPF it is, go to catalog Sunscreen ☀️ and choose the filters you need: mineral, chemical, chemical - next generation or mixed ☝️

Choose the sunscreen due to your skin

In order to choose sunscreen for your skin, it would be great to visit a beautician 🙋

But you're an independent girl and you want to figure it out on your own, right? (If you've read this far, you're right!).

So, what should you pay attention to?

1. Choose SPF protection of at least 30. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, our sisters advise you to choose a cream with SPF 50.
2. It is best to have a broad spectrum action sunscreen. Pay attention to the fact that the chosen sunscreen protects against both UVB and UVA rays.
3. Consider your skin type. For oily and rash-prone skin, it is better to choose light sunscreen formulas, products for dry skin should have an additional moisturizing function, and for sensitive skin, you should choose SPF creams with mineral filters, as chemical components in the sunscreen can cause discomfort and irritation.

And don't forget about additional facial skin care 👌

There are a large number of sunscreens which, in addition to the main function, give your skin moisturizing, additional nutrition, have an anti-aging effect or antioxidant protection. Such products are ideal for reducing the number of steps in your daily skincare routine.

By the way, a life hack: for a perfect tan, you can start with maximum protection at the beginning of your vacation and gradually reduce the protective cream factor. But gradually and use it anyway!   

How to use face cream with SPF correctly

We've told you about the main nuances of how to choose a sunscreen ✔️

All that's left is to remind you the best way to use an SPF face cream.

Just a few facts:

• apply the product as you would a regular face cream - slowly, without pressing, along the massage lines;
• don't skimp on the amount of cream - spread the product along the length of your two fingers and rub it into your face to protect your skin.
• SPF protection takes time, so apply the product at least 20-25 minutes before going out in the sun.

And finally: don't forget to renew your SPF face cream every two hours or more often ⏰

Love your skin the way we love you 💖

Take care of it and protect it from negative influences. Let the sun bring only joy and vitamin D!