Did you know a regular moisturizer’s consistency is not as thick as that of a sunscreen, which tends to cut down on its effectiveness? Mineral-based sunscreens containing Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide are more suited and do not irritate the skin, unlike carbon-based sunscreens.
Many moisturizers also claim to protect from sun damage do not contain the requisite UVA protection and hence won’t be able to protect against UV aging and other issues pertaining to sun damage.
Dry skin is a result of the skin not retaining sufficient moisture to keep it soft and supple. This might happen as a result of frequent bathing, use of harsh soaps, or certain medical conditions. In the case of colder climates, dry skin can also stem from the cold, dry winter air.
Moisturisers, which rehydrate the top layer of the skin and seal in the water, are one of the most effective ways to treat dry skin. According to health.harvard.edu, “In general, the thicker and greasier a product, the more effectively it will moisturize your skin. Some of the most effective and least expensive are petroleum jelly and its vegetable-based alternatives, and moisturizing oils, including vegetable oils. Because they contain no water, they’re best used while the skin is still damp from bathing, to seal in the moisture. Lotions designed to moisturize your skin contain water as well as oil, in varying proportions. They usually include both humectants and emollients and can be applied to skin throughout the day.”
How to choose the right sunscreen?
A regular moisturizer’s consistency is not as thick as that of a sunscreen, which tends to cut down on its effectiveness. Many moisturizers also claim to protect from sun damage do not contain the requisite UVA protection and hence won’t be able to protect against UV aging and other issues pertaining to sun damage. UVA and UVB rays of the sun are responsible for skin issues, aging, sunburn and other issues caused by prolonged exposure to the sun without proper protection.
Matthew Gass of the British Association of Dermatologists, says in the report: “Unfortunately, moisturizer with SPF just doesn’t perform particularly well in real world situations compared to sunscreen. Although it may say factor 30 on the box, this study is just further evidence that lab testing conditions for these products don’t reflect how they are used.”
Is your skin allergic to sunscreens?
Identify if your skin is allergic to certain sunscreen types as different sunscreens have different ingredients. Test the product on your skin at the back of your ear lobe to ensure there are no skin irritants in the product. In case of sensitive skin, avoid sunscreens with aphelia ingredients, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic sunscreen.
If you have dry skin, choose a sunscreen with suitable oil-based content that moisturizes your skin but doesn’t make it overly greasy too, giving rise to zits and other ailments.
Conclusion
In case of oily skin, use a gel-based sunscreen or sun foundations that range from soufflé-based, mousse-based, water-based and other variants.
Be aware of the protection you will get from your sunscreen as a sunscreen with SPF 15 provides a 94% to 95% UVB rays coverage and SPF 28 gives you up to 96% coverage.
Ensure to purchase a sunscreen marked ‘broad-spectrum’ to shield against both UVA (ultraviolet-A) and UVB (ultraviolet-B) rays.
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Stay happy and healthy!
Team
Sunlife Pharmacy Qatar
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