Is it defending your pores and skin?

By On Sep 7, 2021

Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It is the outermost layer and protects all other organs from danger.

Some types of makeup can protect you from sun damage, so people often forego other types of protection like sunscreen. But when it comes to ultraviolet (UV) rays, you can never be sure.

What are UV rays?

Sunlight contains UV radiation. UV rays provide your body with vitamin D, an essential nutrient that supports your immune system, bone health, and more.

UV rays can also be risky. Overexposure can lead to:

sunburn
Skin aging
Skin damage
Skin cancer

UV rays are created naturally from the sun. However, you can expose solariums, stadium lighting and some lasers to artificial UV radiation.

What is the UV index?

The Ultraviolet (UV) index is how weather services display the sun’s UV radiation intensity. The rating serves as a guide on how to protect yourself from overexposure.

Even with the lowest UV index rating, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests protection like sunglasses and sunscreen. At the highest rating, protection from sun damage is a necessity.

What’s the deal with SPF?

Make-up, sunscreen and other cosmetics have a sun protection factor (SPF). Cosmetics with an SPF label protect your skin from sun damage.

SPF measures the amount of UV radiation that causes sunburn. The higher a product’s sun protection factor, the more UV radiation you can handle before you get sunburned. Sun cream with a sun protection factor of 15, for example, offers sufficient protection, but a sun protection factor of 30 or 50 protects even more.

Is make-up with sun protection factor enough?

Make-up with sun protection factor is appealing. You can cut down on your morning routine, protect your skin, and look your best with fewer steps. But unfortunately, it may not be enough to protect you from sun damage.

Think of it logically. A SPF cosmetic protects the skin it covers. SPF makeup protects areas like your lips and cheeks.

Now what about your hands, neck, chest, arms and other exposed areas? Your SPF makeup won’t protect these areas from sun damage.

Makeup with added sunscreen may be enough to protect your face (if you use it all over your face). A safe and recommended routine is using sunscreen along with your SPF makeup. The sunscreen protects what your make-up cannot achieve.

continuation

Other ways to protect yourself from UV rays

Even if your makeup may not provide enough protection from the sun, there are several ways you can protect your skin.

Avoid peak hours. You should limit the amount of time you spend in direct sunlight during the day. The rays of the sun are more dangerous from 10:00 to 14:00. Avoiding them during this time can help prevent sun damage.

Find shade. You don’t have to stay indoors to avoid UV rays. Lazing under an umbrella, sitting under a tree, and relaxing in a gazebo keep you out of the sun’s rays. But of course you should still use sunscreen and wear protective clothing.

Cover with clothing. It may be uncomfortable at first, but covering your skin with clothing will protect it from UV rays. Clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and pants are gentle on your skin. Simple accessories such as sunglasses and hats also help.

Hats will help when you have little to no hair. The top of your head is vulnerable to the sun. Without hair to protect the scalp, you are exposed to strong UV radiation.

Sunglasses also protect your eyeballs, not just the skin of your eyelids. Sun damage can damage the skin of your eyes. The UV rays can also damage your eyes and lead to cataracts.

Avoid bright surroundings.
Snow, sand and light-colored concrete reflect the sunlight. This reflection makes the UV rays more intense and can double your exposure.

Use sunscreen as recommended. Expired sunscreen offers less protection from UV rays. Also, apply sunscreen outdoors every two hours. Use it more often when you sweat or swim.

Familiarize yourself with your local UV index trends. Your location has its UV index trends. If you know what UV radiation is like, you’ll know what precautions to take.

Who is at risk?

All skin tones can suffer sun damage when exposed to UV rays. Extreme care should be taken for those with naturally pale skin and light hair.

People being treated for skin cancer or having family members with skin cancer should also be careful. They could be at risk from exposure to UV rays.

sources

SOURCES:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Sun Safety”.

Cleveland Clinic: “Is the Sunscreen Enough in Your Makeup?”

US Environmental Protection Agency: “UV Index Description.”

US Food & Drug Administration: “Tips for Staying Safe in the Sun: From Sunscreen to Sunglasses.”

Skin Research and Technology: Official Journal of the International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of the Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI): “The application of sunscreen products with facial make-up increases the sun protection factor under real application conditions.”