Skincare || Sunscreen 101

Assalamualaikum.

Hello there!

You would probably know what I wanted to review based on the title. So, I am gonna talk about sun screen or some might call it sun block. I am applying sunscreen as day routine for almost a year now. And I do have my favourite sunscreen. *of course*. I will be telling you guys all about this amazing product. And sunscreen will help you to prevent wrinkles and ageing skin.

Image by Mr. Google

First thing first, Why do you need sunscreen as your daily skincare?

This days, our skin is exposed to direct sun as the ozone layer is thinning. The sun have two types of ray which are UVA - Ultra Violet Alpha ray and UVB - Ultra Violet Beta ray. 


What do UVA and UVB do to our skin??

UVA will penetrate deep into the skin although you stay in your house because it can pass through everything including walls and windows. *that is scary!* UVA will activate a type of hormone that will cause skin cancer. You can only get the effect after 20 - 30 years from now. *that is scarier!!* 

Whereas UVB will cause you getting sunburn, redness, or even darkening. *depends on your skin type*.

Here is a simple diagram for you to understand better. *please ignore my ugly sketching. I do not know how to draw. -,- *

How to choose the ideal sunscreen??

There are three factors that you have to consider before you buy a sunscreen. Let me guide you through it.


a) SPF

Here is the thing, SPF will only protect you with UVB rays. It will help you to not get sunburn and redness.

How to do choose which SPF suits you?

1 SPF = 10 minutes of protection from the rays

this means that you have to re-apply your sunscreen every 10 minutes. I know we are all lazy in reapplying anything on our face except make-up. HAHA

so, 15 SPF = 150 minutes / 2 hours and 30 minutes of protection

30 SPF = 300 minutes o/ 5 hours of protection

and, 60 SPF = 600 minutes / 10 hours of protection

Thus, calculate your estimate hours of exposing your skin to the sun babe!



b) Broad-spectrum

Broad-spectrum is basically a sunscreen that protects both UVA and UVB. Some sunscreen write 'Broad-spectrum' on the packaging and some writes 'protection from UVA and UVB'. Some others only protects your skin from UVB.

Hence, you might want to look at the descriptions on the box and read carefully. You do want a full protection from the rays right?



c) PA

PA gives you protections from UVA ray. *the one that will cause you skin cancer*

How do you define the PA system?

PA + = the lowest protection
PA++ = the medium protection
PA+++ = The highest protection

Did you know that there are 2 types of sunscreen? We have chemical sunscreen and physical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreen will absorb the rays *act like a sponge* while physical sunscreen will reflect / block the rays.



These are the common ingredients in the sunscreen:

Physical sunscreen - titanium dioxide, zinc oxide. ( Physical sunscreen will leave you a white cast and normally only protect UVB. Nomally physical sunscreen have a creamy texture)

Chemical sunscreen - octylcylene, avobenzone, octinonate, octisalate, oxybenzone, homosalate, helioplex, 4-MBC, mexoryl SX & XL, tinosorb S & M, uvinul T - 150, uvinul A plus. ( Chemical sunscreen blend in your skin. It is great to be apply on face and normally have a watery texture)



In a nutshell, I would say the fairer your skin tone / the easier you get burn, 
the higher SPF and PA you need.



Thanks for reading.
Good luck.




Find me on Instagram @alyarazali