The Big Sun Protection Q&A - The Most Important Questions and Answers
Everything around the topic of sun protection: What we should pay attention to and what we need to know in order to be able to protect our skin well from the sun.
Summer, sun, sun protection. Over and over again we hear and read how important it is to protect the skin from UV radiation: for overall health, for the health of the skin, to prevent premature skin ageing,... The list of reasons why we should never forget to apply sunscreen when we are exposed to the sun for a longer period of time is extensive. Basically, you would think that by now we would all know a lot about this topic. However, that is not really the case.
There are a few questions that many of us ask ourselves every year again as soon as summer is around the corner. Which sunscreen should I buy? What should I pay attention to? Can I still use last year's sunscreen? We have decided to answer some of the most important and most frequently asked questions - so that there are a few less question marks this year.
Q: What is the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens?
A: Light protection is distinguished by the UV filters used and how they work. Mineral filters form a film on the skin and reflect the radiation. Chemical filters, on the other hand, penetrate the skin and absorb the radiation. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. While mineral sunscreens, for example, have the advantage that they do not sink into the skin, chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, do not leave an annoying white film on the skin. Everyone has to decide for themselves which criteria are most important to them.
Q: Do you actually need different products for body and face?
A: Yes, absolutely. The skin of our body and our facial skin are very different. Among other things, facial skin is much more sensitive because it is thinner. Therefore, body skin and facial skin naturally have different needs and appropriate products should be used accordingly - so that the whole body or each patch of skin is optimally protected.
Q: Which protection factor should I use?
A: That depends on the skin type. Basically, the lighter the skin, the less self-protection it has. Light skin types should therefore definitely use protection factor SPF50, for darker skin types SPF30 can also be sufficient. But if you really want to be on the safe side, you should always go for the higher protection factor. The credo here is "the higher the better", because a high sun protection factor does not harm any skin type, but a too low one can harm the skin.
Q: Can I still get a tan despite sunscreen?
A: Definitely. However, and here comes the hard truth: getting a tan is not really good for your skin. We like to think of tanned skin as beautiful and desirable, but the truth is that there is no such thing as a "healthy tan". When the skin turns darker, it is a sign that it has been exposed to high levels of sunlight for too long. Therefore, for all fair skin types who are concerned about the long-term well-being of their skin, it is better to set your tanning goals a little lower this year and stay under the sun umbrella more often.
Q: I get impure skin from the sunscreen I use on my face. Is there anything I can do to avoid that?
A: There are two possible causes for this problem. Possible reason no. 1: For some people, the pimples are a reaction to chemical UV filters (see first question, difference chemical vs. mineral sunscreen). Possible reason no. 2: In most cases, however, it is because many sunscreens are very greasy, clogging the skin pores and thus causing blemishes. In both cases, the solution is to change your sunscreen. If you don't react well to chemical UV filters, you should switch to an alternative with mineral filters, for example. Those who tend to have oily or combination skin in summer or in general should make sure to choose a sun cream for the face with a light, non-greasy formula: such as a fluid or a cream with oil control.
"We tend to think of sunscreen as a holiday thing, but in summer we are exposed to high levels of UV radiation on a daily basis."
Q: Do I really need to apply sunscreen every day during summer?
A: A very big YES. The number one reason for skin ageing is sunlight. We tend to think about sunscreen especially when we are on holiday, but in summer we are usually exposed to high levels of UV radiation on a daily basis. That's why ultimately it's all about those days when we're not on the beach, but our skin is still exposed.
If you just can't get used to applying sunscreen every morning, you can opt for alternatives such as a CC cream, foundation or a primer with a high sun protection factor. However, be careful: We usually use very little of these make-up products and therefore do not always get the actual protection that is stated on the packaging. Foundation and other products are therefore ideal for autumn-winter-spring or for day-to-day life when you spend a lot of time in the office and are only occasionally outdoors. However, generally these products should not be seen as a substitute for sunscreen on days when you are in the sun a lot.
Q: Can I still use the sunscreen from last year?
Yes and no. In principle, a sunscreen from last summer does not necessarily have to be thrown away or it must not automatically be assumed that it has gone bad. However, it is a fact that sunscreen loses its effectiveness. For example, a face cream with SPF50 from last year may now still have (approximately) protection factor 30. Therefore, our tip: use last year's sun cream only for the morning routine in everyday life or use it up right away in spring and buy a new one for summer and your beach holiday.
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