How to protect your skin from the scorching summer sun in Dubai?
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Alluring Auras
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As we move into the warmer months of the year and given the widespread misconceptions around best practices to maintain healthy skin. Here are the few best tips on how to prevent skin damage and continue healthy habits when protecting the face & body from the scorching summer. Maintaining healthy and radiant skin goes beyond just cleansing and moisturizing. One crucial step often overlooked in skincare routines is incorporating Sunscreen step in skincare. Sunblock for body & face plays a vital role in shielding our skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, including premature aging, sunburns, and an increased risk of skin cancer. In this blog, we will explore the importance of incorporating sunscreen into your daily skincare routine and provide a step-by-step guide on how to effectively include SPF in your skincare routine:
When choosing a Sunscreen, you need to look for two things
- Does it protect against UVA and UVB rays?
- What is the sun protection factor (SPF)?
Choosing a sunscreen is largely down to personal choice. Sunscreens are divided into mineral and chemical sunscreens, depending on their mode of action and the chemicals they contain.
UVA and UVB?
The sun emits two wavelengths of light that penetrate the earth’s atmosphere: ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B. Sunscreens are rated on their level of UVA and UVB protection. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with UVB and UVA protection is recommended. Because UV rays damage the skin in different ways, a sunscreen which only protects you from one type or the other isn’t going to give you full protection.
UVA rays have longer wavelengths at lower energy levels. They penetrate deeper into the skin, damaging the collagen and leading to the formation of wrinkles and skin ageing.
UVB rays are shorter wavelengths with higher energy. They damage the DNA in the outer layer of the skin and excess exposure increases the risk of skin cancers developing.
Every time your skin gets damaged by the sun it can cause mutations in your cells, which can lead to malignant tumors. That’s why it’s so important you ensure you’re protected from both forms of UV rays.
What About SPF?
SPF stands for sun protection factor; an SPF sunscreen should be used 365 days of the year. Sun exposure affects your skin’s barrier and healthy cells, causing concerns such as pigmentation and ageing. It’s super important that you use an SPF to protect your skin.
If you’re one of those people who thinks one application of SPF15 is enough for an entire day outside, it’s time to rethink. SPF15 is the lowest SPF recommended by doctors and so offers the least protection.
The longer you’re in the sun, the more you need to apply sunscreen – it’s recommended you reapply every two hours, or after swimming or heavy exercise.
On top of the SPF rating, you should also look for the ‘star rating’. This reflects how well it protects against UVA rays compared to UVB.
The SPF rating indicates the level of ultraviolet B (UVB) protection and is rated on a scale from 2 to 50+, whilst the star rating refers to the ultraviolet A (UVA) protection with a scale from 1 to 5.
A rating of one star suggests the sunscreen doesn’t protect well from UVA rays, so it’s best to find one that has a 5-star rating.
An SPF of 15 confers a protection of 93%, then 97% with SPF 30 and 98% with SPF 50. Therefore, the recommendation is application of SPF of 30+, 30 minutes prior to going outside, with reapplication every 2 hours or immediately after sweating or swimming to help reduce the risk of sunburn. UVA penetrates clouds and glass, thus a 4-star or 5-star rating for optimum protection is advised.
Can people with darker skin skip SPF?
Your skin color can play a role in your natural sun protection, but it doesn’t mean you can skip sunscreen when spending time in the sun.
Although individuals with darker skin color have greater natural protection, skin cancers can still arise, and similar precautions should be taken.
Research suggests that black skin has a natural SPF of 13.4 in comparison to 3.4 seen with white skin. Therefore, a sunscreen with an SPF of 15-30 may be sufficient for those with darker skin.
How to Choose the Right Sunscreen Products?
The starting point in selecting the right Sunscreen is understanding your skin type. Skin can generally be classified into four categories: oily, dry, combination, and sensitive. Give yourself a moment to observe and understand how your skin behaves throughout the day. Does it tend to be oily, especially in the T-zone? Is it prone to dryness and flakiness? Knowing your skin type can be very good to choosing the best sunscreen products that address specific concerns.
- Oily Skin –Choose Sunscreen that are oil-free and non-comedogenic to prevent having clogged pores. Opt for ingredients like salicylic acid which helps control excess oil.
- Dry Skin –Opt for hydrating Sunscreen product with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. And before applying the sunscreen, a Cream-based cleansers and moisturizers provide much-needed nourishment.
- Combination Skin –You need a balanced approach to move ahead with choosing the best sunscreen product for this type of skin.
- Sensitive Skin –Choose Sunscreen lotion with minimal ingredients and avoid those with fragrances or harsh chemicals. Look for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free options to prevent irritation.
Patch Test of your New Sunscreen Product
Before adding a new Sunscreen to your routine, make sure you perform a patch test to ensure it doesn’t cause adverse reactions. Apply a small amount of the product to a discreet area, like the inner forearm, and monitor for any signs of irritation or allergy over 24-48 hours.
Here is the list of our top picks for Sunscreen for the year 2024
Coverderm Filteray After Sun Care for Body Cream Gel – 100ML
Coverderm Filteray Face Plus Normal SPF 50 Tinted – 50ML
Coverderm Filteray Face Plus Oily/ Acneic SPF 30 Tinted – 50ml
Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Age Defense Spf 30 50ml Face Cream
Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Age Defense Spf 50 + 50ml Face Cream
Shiseido Sports BB SPF 50 + Very Dark (W) 30Mml Face Cream
Now that you understand the importance of SPF in your skincare routine, let’s take a look at the steps you should follow to properly apply the Sunscreen to your skin:
- Cleanse Your Face: Begin by cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and impurities. Choose a cleanser that suits your skin type and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Apply Toner (Optional): If you typically use a toner as part of your skincare routine, now is the time to apply it. Toners help balance the skin’s pH levels and prepare the skin for better absorption of subsequent products.
- Moisturize: Next, apply your moisturizer. Look for a moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type and contains hydrating and nourishing ingredients. Gently massage the moisturizer into your skin, focusing on areas that tend to be drier.
- Sunscreen Application: After allowing your moisturizer to absorb into the skin for a few minutes, it’s time for sunscreen routine.
- Incorporate Right SPF in skincare routine: Select a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Look for a sunscreen that suits your skin type, whether it’s cream-based, gel-based, or mineral-based.
- Take an Adequate Amount: Dispense an adequate amount of sunscreen onto your fingertips. This ensures you apply enough product to cover your face and neck adequately.
- Dot it on Your Skin: Begin by dotting the sunscreen on different areas of your face, including the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Be sure to extend the application to your neck and any exposed areas of your body.
- Blend and Massage: Include blending the sunscreen into your skin using upward and outward motions in your sunscreen routine. Ensure even coverage by massaging the product into your skin until it is fully absorbed.
- Reapply as Needed: It’s important to reapply sunscreen every two hours or more frequently if you are sweating heavily or exposed to water. If you’re wearing makeup, consider using a powder or spray sunscreen for convenient reapplication throughout the day.
Conclusion
As we conclude this extended exploration into Alluring Auras’s top-rated Sunscreen products symphony of radiant & protective skin continues. Alluring Auras invites you to become the conductor of your skincare composition.
With Alluring Auras, the journey towards radiant and healthy skin becomes a self-love!
