To protect your skin from the sun, it’s essential to understand the different types of sun protection. There are two forms of sun protection: sunscreen and sunblock. Sunscreen is a cream or lotion applied to the skin and protects against UV radiation.
Clothing provides physical protection by blocking the sun’s rays from reaching the skin, and spending time in the shade minimises UV exposure. If you are in full sun, sunscreen and sunblock can help. This article will give you the difference between sunblock and sunscreen.
What is sunscreen?
Sunscreen is a topical product that contains ingredients that absorb, reflect, or scatter sunlight. The active ingredients in sunscreen work to protect the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to the naked eye but can be harmful to the skin. There are two UV radiations: UVA and UVB.
UVA rays are more extended than UVB rays and can penetrate deeper into the skin, and they are responsible for premature skin aging, wrinkles, and sunspots.
UVB rays are shorter than UVA rays and only penetrate the top layer of skin. They are responsible for causing sunburns.
When choosing a sunscreen, it’s essential to look for one that offers broad-spectrum protection, which means that the sunscreen will protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
How to apply sunscreen?
Now that you know what sunscreen is and how it works let’s take a look at how to apply it correctly.
When applying sunscreen, it’s essential to use enough to cover the entire area of skin that will be exposed to the sun. Most people only use 25-50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen, which significantly reduces its effectiveness.
It’s also vital to reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you’re sweating or swimming. If you’re using a spray-on sunscreen, hold the can 6-8 inches away from your skin and apply it evenly. When applying sunscreen to your face, avoiding the delicate eye area is essential. Instead, apply sunscreen to the rest of your face and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before going outside, and this allows the sunscreen to bind to the skin and provides the best protection against the sun.
What is sunblock?
Sunblock is a type of sunscreen that contains physical blockers, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients work by reflecting and scattering the sun’s rays away from the skin. Sunblock is typically used for people who have sensitive skin or are allergic to chemical sunscreens.
When applying sunblock, it’s essential to use enough to cover the entire area of skin that will be exposed to the sun. Most people only use 25-50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen, which significantly reduces its effectiveness.
It’s vital to reapply sunblock every two hours or more if you’re sweating or swimming. If you’re using a spray-on sunblock, hold the can 6-8 inches away from your skin and apply it evenly. When applying sunblock to your face, avoiding the delicate eye area is essential. Instead, apply sunscreen to the rest of your face and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Sunblock should be applied 20 minutes before going outside, and this allows the sunblock to bind to the skin and provides the best protection against the sun.
Which is better?
There is no definitive answer to this question, depending on your individual needs and preferences.
If you have sensitive skin or are allergic to chemical sunscreens, sunblock is a good option. Sunblock is also a good choice if you spend extended periods in the sun, such as at the beach or on a long hike.
If you don’t have sensitive skin and are not allergic to chemical sunscreens, sunscreen might be a better option. It is because sunscreen typically offers more broad-spectrum protection than sunblock.
No matter the type of sun protection you choose, applying it correctly and reapplying it every two hours (or more often if you’re sweating or swimming) is essential.
The benefits of using sun protection?
There are many benefits to using sun protection, including:
The main benefit of sun protection is that it helps prevent skin cancer. It’s the most common cancer in the United States, and sun exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer.
Sun protection also helps to prevent premature aging of the skin. Exposure to UV radiation can damage the collagen and elastin in the skin, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
Sun protection can also help prevent other skin problems, such as sunburns, actinic keratoses (pre-cancerous growths), and melasma (a condition that causes brown patches on the skin).
In conclusion
There are two main types of sun protection: sunscreen and sunblock. Sunscreen contains chemical ingredients that absorb UV radiation, while sunblock contains physical ingredients that reflect and scatter UV radiation away from the skin. The best type of sun protection for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.
