May is the month that gives us a taste of the summer season. Longer days, abundant sunshine, budding trees, blooming flowers, and the list goes on, all encourage us to spend more time outdoors. During this time, many people, in their excitement, often forget to use sunscreen face cream, which should be a fundamental part of our daily routine.
Let's take a look at some important questions that may arise when selecting the right sunscreen cosmetic product:
What exactly does the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) value, displayed on sunscreen cosmetics, mean?
The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is essentially a measure of the effectiveness of sun protection. SPF is just a multiplier that indicates how much longer you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned when using a particular sunscreen product. To make the most of this, you need to know your skin type because everyone's skin has a different defence system. For example, a very light-skinned person can get sunburned in as little as 3 minutes, so with an SPF 10 sunscreen, they can only spend 30 minutes in the sun safely (3 minutes x 10 SPF = 30 minutes). On the other hand, darker, more melanin-rich skin offers more natural protection.
So, don't assume that choosing a high SPF sunscreen (SPF 50) means you are fully protected and can sunbathe all day at the beach without consequences.
Is it better to get a physical or chemical sunscreen cream?
The fundamental difference lies in their mechanism of action: physical sunscreens reflect and scatter UV rays and begin to work immediately after application. They contain natural mineral filters such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which provide protection across the entire UV spectrum. However, they are less long-lasting and may leave a slight white, powdery residue on the skin.
On the other hand, chemical sunscreen cosmetics soak into the skin, where they absorb the sun rays. Since they contain a combination of various chemical compounds (oxybenzone, octocrylene, avobenzone, retinyl palmitate, and octinoxate), they are more long-lasting but can be more likely to cause allergies.
Is gradual exposure important? What are the other ways to protect ourselves from harmful sun rays?
Consistently, starting from early spring, we should acclimate our skin to sunlight. By doing so, we can activate our skin's natural defence system to achieve the desired tan. Fashionable summer accessories also provide physical protection for the skin: wide-brimmed straw hats, caps, UV-blocking sunglasses, scarves, umbrellas, or even a long-sleeved white shirt.
Is post-sun exposure skin care important?
The use of after-sun products is just as important as sunscreen, as they help moisturize and rejuvenate sun-exposed skin while preserving the tan. Let's not forget to drink plenty of water (to restore skin hydration) and also pay attention to lip care, as this area is particularly sensitive.
If your skin has become slightly sunburned, use after-sun body lotions or creams that contain ingredients like aloe vera, calendula, cooling mint, and other soothing, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative agents.
What rules should we follow to ensure effective protection from sun rays?
Let us introduce our new innovative product manufactured at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, the Solanie SPF50 Sunscreen Cream (for face and body), as well as the well-known and popular Solanie SPF30 Sunscreen Cream (for face and body), and Solanie So Fine After-Sun Soothing and Cooling Milk, which serve as the cornerstones of proper sun protection and skincare.
Solanie SPF50 sun protect cream face & body 125ml