Your definitive guide to choosing the best sunscreen

Who doesn’t like to spend time outdoors? But staying outdoors for a prolonged time can leave your skin vulnerable to the harmful rays of the sun. You must protect your skin whether you roam outside or vacation at a beach. For this reason, you must purchase the right sunscreen with sun protection options. You can look for different zinc-based sunscreens from brands like Key Sun Zinke. But you must know how to pick the best one. After all, when you choose the best, it can make all the difference. Additionally, it can protect you from physical issues such as sunburn, wrinkles, skin damage and skin cancer, which occurs due to continuous ultraviolet radiation exposure. Read on to know about sunscreens and choose the best one.

How do sunscreens work?

Sunscreens block and absorb UV rays through different physical and chemical particles. The physical particles like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide reflect UV radiation from the skin, whereas the chemical ingredients react with the radiation before penetrating the skin. They absorb the sun’s rays and release them in the form of heat.

How to choose the best sunscreen?

It is crucial to pick a sunscreen that you are not allergic to. Also, you have to make sure it doesn’t disrupt your hormonal balance. Below stated are the points in picking the best.

1. Consider SPF: One of the essential factors to consider is the Sun Protection Factor or SPF. You will require sunscreens with an SPF of 15 to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. However, it is recommended to utilise SPF of at least 30 to block 97 per cent of the UVB rays since SPF 15 can block only 93 per cent. Applying a sufficient amount of sunscreen can lower the risk of skin damage, especially when outdoors.
2. Search for the active ingredients: You can look for active ingredients such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and avobenzone. Since vitamin A or retinyl palmitate increases the rate of skin tumours, you must make sure you avoid this ingredient.
3. Choose a broad spectrum SPF: You can choose a sunscreen that provides SPF 30 to 50 and broad-spectrum coverage. It prevents UVA radiation and protects your skin from sunburn and sun damage.
4. Sunscreen formulation: Sunscreen formulation refers to the delivery format of sunscreen. You can obtain three common sunscreen formulations in the market. If utilised properly, they have a lot of benefits. Given below are the three forms.

• Sprays: You can apply sunscreen spray if you have a lot of body hair and to the hard-to-reach places in the body. You must ensure that you don’t inhale the spray while applying it to your body.
• Lotions: The lotions can be obtained in multiple variants for different skin types.
• Sticks: You can apply the sunscreen sticks by rubbing them into the skin. Since they are convenient, you can carry them on your travels.

5. Consider the sun exposure levels: You have to consider the level of sun exposure when choosing the best sunscreen. How long are you going to be exposed to the sun? What activities are you performing in the sun? You have to keep them in mind before sunscreen shopping. When it comes to the strength of the sun, it is measured by the UV index. This index ranges from 1 to 11+ in which one is the lowest and 11+ is the highest. Since the UV rays are strong between 10 am to 4 pm, the UV index is eight and above. Unprotected skin can burn within minutes. If you are spending time outdoors for a prolonged time, make sure you purchase an SPF 30 or higher from brands like Key Sun Zinke. For sports activity or swimming, pick a water-resistant or sweat-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. Remember to reapply them every 40 to 60 minutes. On regular days, ensure that you wear sunscreen with at least SPF 15.