We cannot escape the hot sun during the day this January. Not to worry though, there a variety of sunscreen in the market and here is a few tips on how to chose the best.
1. Morning routine - Always apply sunscreen in the morning or when about to leave the house, even on a cloudy day. Make sure your sunscreen is within its proper expiration date otherwise it will be of little use to you. Remember your nose - the skin on our noses is thinner so these areas are more prone to burn.
2. Daytime - Avoid extended exposure to sun between 10am and 4pm when the sun’s rays are most intense. If you must be outdoors, wear a hat or look for shaded areas and protect your eyes with sunglasses. When outdoors, remember to pack your sunscreen with you and keep reapplying every two hours. There is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen, despite labelling claims. If you or your little ones get in the water, reapply immediately once you get out.
3. Tanning - Avoid tanning/suntans - a tan is actually damaged skin. If you do tan, use skin products that contain vitamin C or antioxidants as they will help repair your skin.
4. Types - Use an SPF of at least 15 for dark skin and 30 for light skin as this filters at least 97 per cent of UVB rays. Choose creams over sprays as they are more effective. Sprays have a higher alcohol content, which means they are not as photo-stable as creams and lotions making them less effective.
Look for the word ‘photo-stable’ when buying sunscreen. However, a sunscreen spray is better than nothing at all. Products should indicate both UVB and UVA protection - The word SPF indicates that the sunscreen shields you from UVB rays. To provide UVA protection against cancer and premature aging, look for the word ‘broad spectrum’ or ‘high UVA protection’.
5. Sensitive skin - If you are allergic to sunscreen or react to it, try coconut oil, and other natural alternatives such as carrot seed oil.
6. Night-time routine - Do not sleep with sunscreen - your skin needs to breathe so wash off this barrier and apply a light night cream or natural oil to help your skin recover.
Remember that children need extra protection from the sun’s potentially dangerous rays and it’s never too late to adopt safe sun practices. Enjoy your time in the sun!