Sunscreens

Sunscreens and sun cream

Sunscreen has become an essential step in any skincare routine. Not only does it prevent sunburn, but it also acts as a fundamental barrier against premature photoaging and other serious skin conditions, such as skin cancer.

Over time, products have been developed that offer good sun protection and other added benefits. Even more specific products have been created for each area of the body, such as facial sunscreens , lip sunscreens , body sunscreens , and hair sunscreens .

Continue reading to discover the best products, their benefits, and which sunscreen is best for you.

The best sunscreens

Selecting a good sunscreen goes beyond the SPF. In addition to containing broad-spectrum sunscreens, which protect against UVA and UVB rays, this product should contain other nourishing, moisturizing, and antioxidant ingredients that protect skin cells from free radicals. It should also be water and sweat resistant for greater effectiveness. Some brands that meet these requirements include:

• Avène sunscreen : These sunscreens are ideal for sensitive skin thanks to their soothing thermal water.
• Ecran sunscreen : With its innovative Cellular Defense technology, it protects and moisturizes the skin while preventing oxidative stress. Ecran sunscreen stands out for its high effectiveness and for including soothing ingredients in its formulas, making it ideal even for sensitive skin.
• Eucerin sunscreen : Eucerin sunscreens help prevent premature aging as well as hyperpigmentation.
• ISDIN sunscreen : They offer advanced formulas and lightweight textures, perfect for oily or sensitive skin. ISDIN sunscreen features advanced dermatological technology and a lightweight application that adapts to the needs of all skin types.
• La Roche-Posay sunscreen : La Roche-Posay's Anthelios range is the best sunscreen according to dermatologists , ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
• SVR sunscreen : innovative textures and high tolerance for reactive skin.

Tinted sunscreen

If you like multifunctional products, tinted sunscreen is perfect for you.

This cosmetic has become a must-have in any makeup bag, as it protects the skin from UV rays while evening out skin tone, creating a beautifying effect. Many users consider it a light, natural-looking alternative to foundation; it can even replace conventional makeup.

Its versatility allows your skin to feel fresh, protected, and radiant without the need for multiple products, saving you time and money. Some specialized brands also add moisturizing and antioxidant active ingredients, as well as fluid, light, creamy, or compact textures, adapting to all needs and skin types.

Mineral sunscreen

The latest innovations in sun protection not only seek the well-being of each user, but also respect for nature and the environment. This is the origin of the idea for mineral sunscreen , formulated primarily with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which acts as a protective shield without compromising health.

Conventional sunscreens, on the other hand, are made with chemical filters capable of absorbing sunlight, but they carry the risk of causing skin reactivity.

Although mineral sunscreens initially had a thick texture, leaving a whitish residue in their wake, science has evolved by leaps and bounds, developing lighter solutions that are easily absorbed and leave no residue or particles.

Physical filters vs. chemical filters

Sunscreens contain a key ingredient called filters that help us block the action of the sun's rays and their radiation.

Physical sunscreens are mineral powders that do not penetrate the skin and create an outer layer that acts like a mirror, reflecting the sun's rays and preventing them from penetrating the skin. They are usually thick creams that leave a slight white sheen for the first few minutes after application. With constant development, these types of sunscreens are improving, but their main drawback is that they are dehydrating and severely dry out the skin. In addition to being effective, they are safe and respectful of our skin's health.

Chemical filters are based on carbon compounds and are capable of absorbing solar radiation into heat, preventing skin damage. These types of filters are highly cosmetic; they don't dehydrate or leave white marks on the skin, but they penetrate completely and can cause skin intolerances or allergies.

Currently, the best sunscreen products usually combine both sunscreen filters, as this is more effective, provides higher protection, and remains cosmetic.

Protection factor

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a laboratory measure of how effectively a sunscreen protects our skin. SPF is the amount of ultraviolet radiation needed to cause sunburn on the skin with the sunscreen applied. Therefore, when using a sunscreen with SPF 50, the skin will not burn until it has been exposed to 50 times the amount of solar energy that would normally cause a burn.

To choose the right protection factor for your skin, it's important to know the amount and frequency of sunscreen you'll be applying, the time of day you'll be exposed to the sun, and your skin type, based on its tone and the sunscreen's absorption capacity.

Depending on the filtering levels of the SPF index, sunscreen products can be classified as: low sun protection (up to SPF 10), medium sun protection (from SPF 10 to SPF 30), medium-high sun protection (SPF 30), high sun protection (from SPF 40 to SPF 50), and very high sun protection (more than SPF 50). It's important to keep in mind that sun protection indexes are always guidelines, and their performance depends on several factors.

Recommendations for sun exposure

To take perfect care of our skin and body when exposed to the sun's rays, we must follow a series of guidelines to avoid sunburn:

• Avoid direct exposure during the middle of the day, as the sun's rays have a greater vertical impact and the skin takes less time to burn.
• Apply a generous layer of sunscreen (2 g/cm² recommended) about 30 minutes before going outdoors on dry skin and reapply every two hours.
• Avoid tanning oils and sunscreens with a low filter or tanning effect.
• Protect children with appropriate clothing and sunscreen (high SPF), as their skin is much more sensitive.
• Use a high protection factor.
• Physical sunscreens, in addition to being gentler on your skin, often provide very effective protection. Using a quality, natural sunscreen can be doubly beneficial for your health.
• If you're going to swim or be in contact with water, we recommend using waterproof protectors, since contact with water can cause the protector to be lost.
• Cover your body, as much as possible, to avoid sun exposure.
• When returning from sun exposure, remove the product to avoid clogging pores and apply moisturizers to help skin regenerate.
• Use sunscreen in winter, too. Even if we can't see the sun directly because of clouds, the sun's rays can pass through them and hit our skin directly.
• We recommend using cosmetics with SPF, as often when we apply a cosmetic, we don't apply sunscreen. If the cosmetic itself contains SPF, it will also help protect our skin.
• Take care of your diet with products that produce melatonin and foods rich in vitamins B and E.