7 Must Know Facts about Suncreens
People often confuse sunscreen as a product which will give complete and worry-free protection against the sun’s rays. There is also some gray area around the implication of SPF, sunscreen application and other matter surrounding the use of sunscreen. Here are 5 of the must-know facts about sunscreen.
1. Your sunscreen must have SPF 15 and above
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor in simple words is the effectiveness of the sunscreen in protecting the skin against the sun. The higher the SPF, the higher is the protection that the sunscreen offers against the sun’s radiation. Different sunscreen brands give different levels of SPF protection however the FDA recommends a minimum of SPF 15.
2. Sunscreen can interfere with production of vitamin D
Application of sunscreen is known to restrict the production of vitamin D in the skin. To counter this, you must ensure that you get adequate amounts of vitamin D from your diet. If you think that your dietary intake is not enough to give you the required amount, consult a dietitian or a medical practitioner.
3. Certain ingredients of sunscreen can cause skin reactions
Many sunscreens contain ingredients like oxybenzone and benzophenone. Apart from being known as carcinogenic substances, these ingredients my also cause various types of skin reactions including acne, dryness and itching. This may affect people who have very sensitive skin.
4. All sunscreen don’t offer protection against UVB and UVA
All sunscreens don’t have the ingredients to protect the skin against both UVB and UVA radiation. Only broad-spectrum sunscreens offer protection against both UVB and UVA rays. Unless your sunscreen product is broad-spectrum, it is likely to provide protection against only UVB, increasing the risk of skin cancer and premature ageing of skin.
