Sunscreen is a topic that eludes most people even today when skin cancer is on an ever high. Most people do not know that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world today and one of the main reasons for skin cancer is exposure to sunlight.
It is crucial to protect the skin and other delicate parts of the body, such as the eyes and hair, from the harmful effects of the sun. Sunscreen is not a fancy cosmetic but a necessity. Gel based sunscreens can, in fact, protect from the full spectrum of sunlight which includes UVA, UVB and other harmful radiations.
They are also light on the skin and if chosen right, they do not leave any white cast on the skin either. There are many daily use sunscreens in the market today with a wide variety of benefits irrespective of the skin type and preferences of the customer.
Sunscreen and its Benefits
The sunlight contains many harmful radiations and particles that enter the earth through light. Only a portion of the large-sized particles and radiation are absorbed by the Ozone layer, and yet, a major portion of unfiltered sunlight enters the earth’s atmosphere.
These radiations and particles are extremely dangerous for the skin when the skin is exposed to them for long durations. Not only are they harmful to the skin but also to the eyes and hair, which are delicate too.
Sunscreen is made to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun, which includes all the radiation and the particles of sunlight that may enter the skin and cause excessive melanin production and mutations in the cell, making them cancerous.
Sunscreen helps in preventing the sun rays from entering the skin by using minerals and agents that provide a temporary shielding effect on the skin and thus prevent the sunlight from harming the skin.
Various radiations such as UVA and UVB form the major part of sunlight and cause tanning and darkening of the skin and leave behind hyperpigmentation and even cancer in skin cells. All of this can be prevented by using a UVA UVB Sunscreen with a high SPF and broad spectrum protection.
Choosing a Sunscreen
Knowing the various kinds of sunscreen is the first step to choosing the right kind of sunscreen. Most sunscreens are made in different formulations with different effects. Choosing a gel based sunscreen is the best as it has a fluid-like consistency and is lightweight.
SPF factor must always be high; a minimum of SPF 30 should be selected. Sunscreen gel SPF 40 is one of the best in the market as it is suitable for all skin types. There are other kinds of sunscreen as well, such as Cream based sunscreens and sunscreens with lower SPF factor.
Cream-based sunscreen may have a thick and heavier feel, and it also may leave a white cast which is not desirable. Choosing a sunscreen that has a lower sun protection factor is also not a good choice as it may not be able to protect the skin as well as it should.
A broad spectrum sunscreen with a PA rating is also preferred as it has higher protection and shielding in comparison to other sunscreens. Applying sunscreen every time one steps out and reapplying every couple of hours is important for the sunscreen to function effectively.