SPF not only in summer. Why you should protect your skin all year round

Table of contents

1. Effects of UV rays on the skin

2. SPF - what is it?

3. SPF - what does it mean in practice?

4. SPF 50 - what does it mean? Through the filter to the skin

5. SPF 20 - what does it mean for skin after swimming?

6. UVB protection is one thing. But what about UVA?

Effects of UV rays on the skin

UVB radiation is responsible for the not-so-pleasant vacation experience - burns, erythema and blisters. It also contributes to tanning, which is...a defensive reaction of the skin. And while it is the desire to avoid redness or tanning in summer that prompts the use of sunscreen, it is not UVB radiation that is most problematic. UVA rays, which affect the skin year-round, reach the deep layers of the skin and wreak real havoc. It is indicated that they are responsible for photoaging of the skin, damage to collagen fibers or general disruption of the hydrolipid barrier. The sun's rays, then, are not just a beautiful tan or a burn when you sit outside too long in the summer. It's also the damage that occurs throughout the year when you don't take proper care of your skin.

SPF - what is it?

So before you start choosing a facial sunscreen to help protect you from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays, it's worth finding out what all that SPF is about. What does it mean, and why do you see different markings on some creams? Let's start with the basics! SPF - what does it mean? It's an abbreviation for Sun Protection Factor, which is an indicator of protection from the sun, and by implication from sunlight. Here, however, we're talking about UVB radiation, and therefore the one responsible for sunburn and hyperpigmentation. The higher the SPF, the longer the possible exposure to radiation without the risk of skin problems. That's the theory, however. And what is the practice?

SPF - what does it mean in practice?

The SPF index is a signal to you. It tells you how long your skin is protected from UVB rays. The best way to show this is with an example. If you can spend 15 minutes outside on a sunny day before you get a sunburn on your skin, after using a sunscreen with SPF 20, the protection increases by 20 times. So in theory, after applying the right amount of Embryolisse BB cream, you could spend 300 minutes, or 5 hours, outside. Is this the case in reality? Not really. SPF protection is calculated under laboratory conditions. And these do not prevail outside - even on a pleasant, sunny day. Sweat, wiping and even sunlight itself affect the filter and make it less effective. That's why even despite the high rate, it is recommended to apply the cream every 2-3 hours.

SPF 50 - what does it mean? Through the filter to the skin

Each sunscreen has an indicator that tells you how long the protection lasts. But that's not the only thing about it. What else does the SPF 15 indicator, for example, tell you about? What does it mean in terms of the level of protection? The European Commission divides SPF preparations into four levels:

Low - SPF 6 and 10
Medium - SPF 15, 20 and 25
High - SPF 30 and 50
Very high - SPF 50+

What this means. Low level protects for a certain amount of time at about 90%. Medium level protects at 93%, 95% and 96%. High is 97% and 98%, and very high even 99%.

SPF 20 - what does it mean for skin after swimming?

No matter what sunscreen is on your skin, it doesn't mean much after a bath, or even a towel wipe or sweat. That's why it's so important not only to apply SPF cream in the morning, but also to reapply it. Re-application of the cosmetic should take place 2-3 hours after the first use and immediately after bathing, wiping with a towel or with increased sweating. And how to apply the cream? It is indicated that the product should be applied at a rate of 2 mg/cm2 of skin. What does this mean in practice? That's about 1.1-1.2 grams of cream for the entire face.

UVB protection is one thing. But what about UVA?

Comprehensive sun protection - the one that should be used all year round, not just in summer - must ensure that the skin is also protected against UVA rays. Therefore, it is important to choose those preparations that provide photoprotection. How to choose them? Check additional labels such as:

PPD
UVA-PE
PA (PA+, PA++, PA+++)
UVA (writing surrounded by a circle)
IPD

You will find such markings on Basiclab's protective products, among others. Only such creams protect not only against sunburn, but also against photoaging of the skin, discoloration and damage to collagen fibers.

Is it worth having a sunscreen cream in your cosmetics bag? Yes, and not only in summer, when the sun burns the hardest. The sun, even when it disappears behind the clouds, can still harm the skin. Remember this - UV protection should get into your blood just as much as daily moisturizing or cleansing.