Finally winter is over! Now, it is time to pack away our winter coats and start preparing our skin for warm weather. In the last article, we learned about different types of exfoliations; this time, we will learn how to prevent our skin from excessive aging and diseases, such as skin cancer, especially since spring and summer are knocking on our doors. It is not possible to stay away from sun exposure, especially for those who are involved in a lot of outdoor activities including driving in cars, where the concentration of UVA/UVB rays is very high. But whether you are fair skin or dark skin, let’s be smart and follow the old adage: “prevention is better than cure.” Though dark-skinned individuals naturally have more protection from the sun’s harmful rays than those of a lighter complexion, they still need to protect their skin. For people with dark skin can experience early aging and get skin cancer, too, so let us all do our best to protect our skin by using sun blocks or sunscreens.
These days, we have so many products available on the market and a well-developed technology for the production of therapeutic products.
Now we need to be smart and opt for the best possible combination to take care of our skin. Very often, a product that is applied the wrong way, even if it is expensive, won’t do any good for you. So you have to be very careful when choosing a therapeutic cosmetic product, and if possible, be sure to consult with a dermatologist and aesthetician. It is very important to understand how damaging excessive sun exposure can be to the skin. We may be young but, because of our lack of knowledge about the importance of specific products (like sunblock) or the dangers of sun exposure and tanning beds, our skin may actually be 10 years older than we are!
However, protection is simple — use creams and just avoid the sun between 11a.m. and 3p.m. as much as possible. That is the first step in prevention against excessive aging and skin cancer.
Types of Sun blocks
Avoiding the sun is the best sunblock. Unfortunately, that is definitely not an option for some people, so they’ll need to choose cosmeceuticals — a sunblock that has both chemical and mechanical properties. Due to our various skin types, we choose different sun blocks that are suited for different skin types. The type of sunscreen you choose is really a matter of personal choice. You need to find one that is going to feel best on your skin. They come in many different forms — gel, lotions, spray powder, and so on — but you need to find the one that suits you the best, that is easiest to put on, and most importantly one that is easy to reapply without any discomfort. Some people complain that certain types of sunscreens make them break out, are too oily, cause allergic reactions, dry their skin out, or are full of harmful chemicals. Over the last few years, the advancements in many new types of sunscreen have eliminated most of these problems. So, let’s review different skin types and different sunblocks that may help you choose the right one.
Different Skin Types and Sun blocks
- If your skin is sensitive, try to go with something that is mild, natural, paraben-free, and hypoallergenic.
- If you have dry skin, lotions and creams with extra hydrating ingredients like aloe or glycerin would be great for you. Avoid sprays and sunscreen with alcohol.
- For oily skin that is prone to breakouts, try to find something light that contains chemicals like avobenzone and oxybenzone. Chemicals are not going to clog your pores. If you looking for all-organic sunscreen, try to find chemical-free products that contain herbs, minerals, and plants only.
The key to finding the best types of sunscreens for you is to shop around. If you don’t like one product, try another until you find the one you like. Remember, protect your skin!
