What Does Your Sunscreen Contain?
However, picking up any sunscreen off the mall counter is not the way to go.
Instead you should carefully select a sunscreen that not only caters to your skin type but also provides you maximum protection against sun damage.
Here are some important points that you should consider before buying a sunscreen: SPF SPF or the Sun Protection Factor is the prime indicator that judges the effectiveness of a sunscreen, though it's not the only one.
SPF defines the ability of the sunscreen to protect your skin from the ultraviolet radiations of the sunlight especially so from the UVB rays that is responsible for sun burns and skin cancer.
However, SPF doesn't shield against the UVA rays of the sun that causes wrinkles and is responsible to make the skin vulnerable to skin cancer.
To keep yourself guarded against the effects of these harmful rays, make sure the sunscreen contains avobenzone (Parsol-1789), Mexoryl, titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide.
Shelf Life of the Sunscreen Some sunscreens expire early, some last longer.
This is because the ultraviolet radiations of the sun cause certain ingredients of the sun to break and lose their sun shielding abilities.
Thus, for sunscreens that last long, select one that contains Mexoryl, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
These agents do not break on exposure to sunlight and so shield you throughout.
Staying Capability Some sunscreens stay while others just flow away with sweat and water.
If you swim or generally sweat a lot, then its no use applying a sunscreen that goes away at the moment you go out to work.
Therefore, choose a sunscreen that is sweat-proof and water-proof and clings on the skin for longer.
titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are two ingredients that cling o to the skin for long periods that any other agents.
But then again, they tend to leave behind a white pale hue on the skin.
To counter this, select a sunscreen that contains ultramicronized titanium or zinc that's extremely fine in texture and goes transparent in visible light but still absorbs and reflects ultraviolet radiations of the sun.
Types of Sunscreen Sunscreens are available in various forms like lotions, creams, gels, sprays and even powders.
Creams are better for people with dry skins as well as smooth skins.
This is because they often comprise of water resistant agents and that makes them stay on longer.
Swimmers or people who sweat a lot can do well using this.
Sprays and gels are good for application in hairy areas.
And powders can be of good used to just anyone.
Innovative Skincare SPF 20 Powder Sunscreen is a revolutionary powder that contains gentle physical UV blockers- 25% titanium dioxide and 20% zinc oxide in a specialized formulation.
It not only provides protection against a broad spectrum of sunlight but also its micronized mineral filters prevents sunburn and redness at the same time protecting skin against ultraviolet radiations of sunlight.
This translucent powder comes with a brush for easy application.