🦴😷 We all know that sunbathing is good for our health! Exposure to the sun brings numerous benefits, including the production of vitamin D, which is essential for bone health, as well as influencing mental health. However, it is very important to be aware of the risks associated with high exposure, such as premature skin ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma!

🧴And that’s why every year we’re bombarded with information from all sides about applying sunscreen, as it’s the only cosmetic product that allows us to sunbathe safely, especially at the hottest times of the day!

🤔 When we go to the supermarket or pharmacy to buy sunscreen, we come across several packages of the product with different numbers. But what do they mean? These numbers indicate the Sun Protection Factor (SPF), with the most common ranging from 30 to 50+.

⛱️ In practice, this value indicates the level of protection against UVB radiation, which is the main agent causing sunburn. A higher SPF means that there is greater protection against these rays.

🥵 For example, if your skin normally starts to turn red after 10 minutes of exposure, a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 allows you to stay in the sun for approximately 500 minutes (that’s 50 times longer) without your skin turning red!

🕑 However, it’s worth remembering that for effective protection it’s crucial to apply the sunscreen correctly, in the right amounts, as well as reapplying regularly (about every 2 hours), especially after going in the water!

🧍‍♂️ So, the recommended amount of sunscreen is around 2 mg/cm2, which for an adult of average height is roughly 35g for the body area, plus 2-3g for the face.

💆‍♀️ Remember to apply the sunscreen 15 minutes before exposure so that it has time to absorb into the skin, as well as choosing the one that best suits your needs!

🤓 Here are the different types of sunscreen available:
▪️ Physical or Mineral Sunscreens: They create a barrier that reflects UV rays and are effective even indoors. They are formulated with zinc oxide and titanium oxide and are recommended for sensitive skin.
▪️ Chemical Sunscreens: These contain UV filters that absorb the rays before they reach the skin. They include ingredients such as Benzophenone(s), Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, among others. They usually combine several ingredients to protect against UVA and UVB rays.
▪️ Hybrid sunscreens: Combine chemical and physical filters to optimize sun protection.

😬 Remember that all cosmetic products have an expiry date and that, most likely, the sunscreens you used last summer will no longer have the same effect this year! Check out our post on the shelf life of cosmetic products at the following link: https://buff.ly/45qry89

Now that you have all the information you need about sunscreens, Cosmetek wishes you a happy vacation with lots of sunscreen! 🧴☀️🐚