Sunscreen, SPF or suncream is a lotion, spray, gel, foam, stick or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet radiation and therefore helps us protect against sunburn and skin damage. You need to wear sunscreen every day to protect against the harmful rays from the sun. Adding sunscreen to your day takes minutes and saves your skin from unnecessary damage.
Before we get into all the details and common questions on SPF, I want to tell you about my favorite sunsceen brand in the world. I am really prone to burning so need to be so careful in the sun. I wear Unseen Sunscreen from Supergoop daily and also use this product to spray the top of my hair so my scalp doesn’t burn. The products glide on and are so easy to use. Unseen sunscreen is a best seller at Sephora and can be used as a primer under makeup. Any of the Supergoop products that I have tried have been absolutely amazing.
Some commonly asked questions on sunscreen/spf:
What is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and it shows how long it will take for UVB rays to redden the skin. UVB rays are what reddens the skin. For example, SPF 15 means it will take 15 times longer for skin to redden with the product on than without it.
What is the best SPF?
Hands down the best SPF that I have ever tried is Unseen Sunscreen by Supergoop as I mentioned above. I need to reapply a lot and be very careful so I need something that glides on, leaves no white marks and doesn’t cause spots. I cannot recommend it enough. Shop HERE.
How do I know what SPF to use?
Use sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against UVB rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes.
What's the difference between SPF 30 and 50?
SPF 30 is most commonly used. I personally use factor 40 on my face and SPF 50 on my body. No sunscreen can block all UV rays, but research has shown that SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays and SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays.
Is it enough if my foundation includes SPF 15?
I think it’s best to ensure that you have adequate sunscreen on your face and use minimum SPF 30. You need to ensure you are really using enough foundation to ensure full SPF coverage. I use Unseen Sunscreen every day as my primer and it has SPF 40.
Is it bad to wear sunscreen every day?
No, it is good to wear sunscreen everyday. You protect your skin from harmful rays each day that you wear sunscreen. I always exfoliate my face twice per week and don’t suffer from breakouts.
Should you apply sunscreen before or after moisturizer?
Apply sunscreen as the last step in your skincare routine after your moisturizer. You should not skip face moisturizer when using an SPF unless the SPF is built into your moisturizer.
Do I need to re-apply sunscreen?
Yes, every two hours and more often if you are swimming, in water or sweating a lot.
Does SPF prevent wrinkles?
Yes, SPF prevents wrinkles as you use SPF to protect your skin against harmful rays that cause skin damage and wrinkles.
Sunscreen is like moisturizer for me. I put it on every day without thinking.
Can I leave sunscreen on overnight?
Always wash sunscreen off before going to bed. This will ensure that you have clear skin.
What ways can I add sunscreen to protect my skin?
There are different ways to wear sunscreen especially to the face. These are my favorite and the best SPFs: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen which can be used as a primer also, the Supergoop setting powder, the Supergoop daily moisturizer. For body SPF, this is my favorite Supergoop product.
Which sunscreen is not sticky?
Sunscreen has come a long way since we were all children. You can find a lot of sunscreens which no longer stain clothes, leave white streaks and make you extra sweaty. My favorites and the best sunscreens for face and body are mentioned and linked above.
What is the highest SPF that I should wear?
The highest SPF that you need is SPF 50. After this, there is little evidence that any higher than SPF 50 is more effective.
Are there ingredients to avoid in sunscreen?
Yes, never buy a sunscreen with Oxybenzone or Octinoctate. These are harmful ingredients and are used as fillers in sunscreen.
Which sunscreen is good for acne?
Mineral sunscreen is better for acne skin as it sits on the skin and reflect the rays rather than absorbing into the skin. I recommend this Supergoop sunscreen for any one with oil or acne prone skin.
Which sunscreen is the best for playing sports?
If you are playing sports or sweat a lot choose a chemical based sunscreen e.g. Zinc sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens are not necessarily bad once you trust the brand and know that they are carefully formulated. This is the best sunscreen for playing sports while ensuring your using top quality clean products.
Do I need to wait to go in the sun after applying sunscreen?
If you are using mineral sunscreen, simply apply the SPF and you are ready to go and protected against the sun. Chemical sunscreen needs 15 minutes to absorb into your skin before you go out into the sunshine.
Do I need SPF when driving in the car or sitting in the sunshine beside a window?
Yes, you need SPF inside too if you are sitting beside a window or driving while the sun beams down. You will never get tanned through these rays, however your skin will still get damaged through these rays. The light emitted from our phones, laptops and tablets is also damaging. Supergoop is formulated to protect your skin from this light.
What is the lowest SPF I should wear?
Products with SPF 15 and under cannot claim that they reduce the risk of skin cancer. Always wear above SPF 15. I recommend SPF 30 at a minimum especially on your face.
Can I mix sunscreen with my moisturizer?
Only mix sunscreen with moisturizer if there is SPF in the moisturizer. Otherwise, it dilutes the SPF and is not as effective in making sure that you are safe and protected against sun damage.
Hope you enjoyed reading about the best sunscreen and SPF products and that you know all you need to know about protecting your skin from sun damage.
*This post contains affiliate links meaning I can make a small % commission if sales are made as a result of this post. It does not affect the price of the item
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