When it comes to skincare, sunscreen is one such product that you can never miss out on. Besides protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, sunscreen also plays a pivotal role in enhancing your skin texture, preventing skin ageing, and protecting your skin from a host of skin problems that come along with sun exposure.
Without a protective layer on your skin, harmful UVA and UVB rays can infiltrate deeper into your skin, disrupting your cells and causing DNA mutation. Additionally, it is also crucial to choose the right sunscreen with SPF that suits your skin type and helps retain existing and potential skin problems that arise due to sun exposure.
Let's understand the importance of SPF in sunscreens and how it can do wonders in your skincare routine.
What is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protecting Factors that are present in sunscreen. The SPF levels generally indicate the level of protection a sunscreen offers against the sun and harmful UV rays. The greater the SPF levels, the longer the sun protection will last on your skin. However, a common misconception that most people have is that a greater SPF level can offer double protection than sunscreens with lower SPF levels.
Contrary to popular belief, SPF levels only indicate the amount of time the sunscreen protects you from UV rays. So, even if you choose to apply 25 or 30 SPF sunscreen when you walk out of your house, your skin is still protected from the sun. However, ensure to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day as most sunscreen tends to wear off after 2-3 hours of sun exposure.
Importance Of SPF In Sunscreen
Sunscreen offers incredible benefits to your skin. Here are some prominent reasons why applying sunscreen daily on your skin is important:
1. Protection from sunburn:
Prolonged exposure to UV rays can result in sunburn. Sunburn can cause skin irritation and burning sensations which can be quite a taxing experience. By simply applying sunscreen daily on your skin, you can prevent harmful UVA and UVB rays from penetrating deeper into the layers of your skin, causing sunburn and sun damage.
2. Prevention from skin ageing:
One of the significant benefits of using sunscreen is the prevention of premature ageing. If you are someone looking for skincare products that help tackle premature skin ageing, applying sunscreen daily can help avoid premature ageing and contribute to nourishing your skin. Opt for a sunscreen with active agents such as niacinamide that can complement other skin care products, offering lasting positive effects on your skin.
3. Reduced skin inflammation:
For people who have developed sensitivity to the sun, skin inflammation can be one of the most common issues they experience on a daily basis. Applying a sufficient amount of sunscreen before exposing your body to UV rays can help significantly reduce skin inflammation issues. Look for sunscreens with gentle ingredients such as zinc that are effective in providing sun protection without causing irritation or redness on your skin.
4. Improved Skin Texture:
Sun damage can make your skin appear dull, uneven, and rough. This is because spending excessive time in the sun can break down the collagen molecules in your skin, resulting in several skin issues. Wearing sunscreen daily can help make your skin look smoother and more even-toned, and promote balancing the pH levels of your skin.
5. Reduced Dark Spots:
Exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays can lead to issues such as hyperpigmentation or dark spots In this situation, you might observe particular areas of your skin being more affected by the sun compared to those that are not exposed. It is important to understand hyperpigmentation is different from sun tanning and can take a lot of time to cure completely. Apply your sunscreen daily, offering the care and nourishment your skin deserves.
Understanding SPF Ratings
Now that you have understood what SPF in sunscreen is and the importance of regularly applying sunscreen, let us now focus on understanding SPF ratings that you usually see on sunscreen packaging.
1. SPF 15: Generally, SPF 15 blocks about 93% of harmful UV rays. The application can protect your skin 15 times the skin's natural protection against sunburn compared to not wearing sunscreen at all. Sunscreen with SPF 15 is most suitable on days when you are not directly exposed to sun rays and still want to wear a protective layer on your skin.
2. SPF 30: A sunscreen with SPF 30 can block up to 97% of UVB rays from infiltrating your skin. For best results, try POND'S Sun Miracle SPF 35 Gel sunscreen for oily skin type and POND'S Serum Boost Sunscreen Cream with SPF 35 for normal to dry skin type, formulated with the goodness of Niacinamide-C.
3. SPF 50 and beyond: Lastly, sunscreens with SPF 50 or beyond can block approximately 98% of UVB rays. If you are looking for gel-based sunscreens with the goodness of Hyaluronic acid, our POND'S Sun Miracle SPF 50 Gel Sunscreen is the best solution for you. Furthermore, our POND'S Serum Boost Sunscreen cream SPF 55 with the goodness of Niacinamide-C is the perfect option for normal to dry skin types.
Conclusion
Choosing the right skincare product can make a lot of difference in your skincare routine. With several options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to identify the right product for your skin type. Skincare is a long journey, but worth all the effort you put in. Hence, spend some time understanding your skin time, stay consistent with your routine, and don't forget to regularly apply sunscreen to restore and lock the youthful appearance of your skin.
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