Sunscreen is an indispensable part of skin care routine, but it needs to be used properly to effectively protect the skin from the sun…

1. Why use sunscreen?

Sunscreen not only helps prevent sunburn but is also a powerful tool to protect healthy skin. Sunlight can help you get vitamin D – a vitamin that is essential for a healthy body, but the effects of sunlight are not always positive, it can damage the skin.

Sunscreen must be applied sufficiently and repeatedly to all exposed skin areas to provide effective protection.

UVB rays have shorter wavelengths than UVA rays and are the cause of sunburn. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but they penetrate deeper into skin cells. Short exposure to UVA and UVB rays does not cause serious skin damage, but prolonged exposure to sunlight can damage skin cells and cause premature skin aging, even skin cancer.

2. Mistakes to avoid when using sunscreen

In the process of using sunscreen, many people still do not know how to use it properly and often make the following mistakes:

Mistake 1: The concept that the higher the SPF index, the better the sunscreen

We often see the letters on the outer packaging of sunscreen as PA and SPF. These are 2 important indicators for choosing sunscreen.

SPF is an index that shows the product’s ability to protect the skin from UV rays and has many different values, the most common being SPF15, 30 and 50.

Some sunscreens have a PA + index on the product packaging. The letters “PA” followed by a plus sign (PA +, PA ++, PA +++ and PA ++++) on the label is a rating system developed in Japan to show the product’s level of protection against UVA rays.

The higher the SPF of a sunscreen, the better the sun protection effect. However, the higher the SPF, the more concentrated the additional sunscreen, which can increase skin irritation and cause other harmful effects, so it is best to choose a sunscreen with the appropriate SPF index depending on each specific case.

For example, if you go to the beach, high mountains or outdoor activities in the summer, you can use SPF50+ and PA++++. If you only go to work and spend most of the day indoors, choose SPF30 or higher and PA++++++.

We can also evaluate the UV status based on the ultraviolet index (UVI). This index often appears in weather forecasts. The higher the value, the greater the skin damage. Sunscreen is still needed on cloudy, rainy or winter days.

Sunscreen is an essential part of any skin care routine.

Mistake 2: Not using enough

Sunscreen must be applied in sufficient quantity and repeatedly, to all areas of skin exposed to the sun to provide the most effective protection. The rule is to apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going out, then reapply every 2 hours.

Usually, about 2 milligrams of sunscreen is used per square centimeter of skin, equivalent to about 2 grams for the entire face. According to the survey results, in reality, most people do not apply enough, only about 1/3 to 1/2 of this standard amount. This will significantly reduce the sun protection ability of the products.

Mistake 3: Only applying sunscreen to the face

Using sunscreen is a way to keep your skin healthy and prevent premature aging, but it is not only for the face.

In fact, melanoma (the most serious type of skin cancer) often occurs on the lower legs of women and the upper back of men. Applying sunscreen to these areas can prevent this condition.

Mistake 4: Using expired sunscreen

Before using, check to see if the sunscreen bottle has expired. Usually, products will be labeled with an expiration date after opening. For sunscreen, the general convention is 12 months, marked with a “12M” mark. If the expiration date has passed after opening, it should not be used.

In addition, if it has been stored in high temperatures, direct sunlight or humid environments, or if the texture, taste, or color of the product has changed, do not use it.

Mistake 5: Relying solely on sunscreen for sun protection

Although sunscreen is an effective tool for protecting your skin, it is not the only thing you use to protect against the sun. Other items you should have on hand include sun-protective clothing, UV-protective sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat, along with sunscreen.

You should also try to avoid being out in the sun between 10am and 3pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest.