The Importance of Sunscreen for Sun Protection
The simplest way to protect your skin each & every day is to start with sunscreen. Rain or shine, if you can see the sun the sun can see you. Founded by a skin cancer survivor, Cabana Life is on a mission to help you understand sun safety and how to protect you and your family.
How does sunscreen work?
Sunscreen helps protects your skin by preventing the sun’s UV radiation from reaching it. Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.There are two types of sunscreen:
- Physical sunscreen ingredients (including the minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) block and scatter the rays before they penetrate your skin.
- Chemical sunscreen ingredients (like avobenzone and octisalate) absorb UV rays before they can damage your skin.
No sunscreen is waterproof, but some are water-resistant, used for swimming or more intense exercise. According to Skin Cancer Foundation, sunscreens labeled water resistant are tested to be effective for up to 40 minutes of swimming, while very water resistant sunscreens stay effective for up to 80 minutes in the water.
Why is sunscreen important?
Wearing sunscreen every day decreases your risk of skin damage, cancers and precancers. Regular daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen can lower your melanoma risk by 50% according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Additionally, sunscreen helps prevents skin aging caused by the sun, which includes wrinkles, sagging and age spots.
What does SPF mean on sunscreen?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The number on sunscreen tells you how long the sun’s UVB rays would take to redden your skin if you apply the sunscreen exactly as directed compared with the amount of time without sunscreen. So, if you use an SPF 30 product properly, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you used no sunscreen. Remember, SPF only accounts for UVB rays unless specifically stated as a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
What SPF sunscreen should I use?
The best way to make sure your skin is sufficiently protected from the sun is to start by applying an ample amount of sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 15. It should also be broad-spectrum, which means that it can block both UVA and UVB rays. SPF 15 is recommended for every day, occasional exposure, like walking your dog, or driving to work.
When going outdoors, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends SPF 30 or higher water-resistant sunscreen. Sunscreen should be worn every day and applied 30 minutes prior to going outdoors.
After allowing the sunscreen to absorb into the skin, apply a foundation or tinted moisturizer, also with an SPF of 15 or more. Again, for these to offer the protection you need, they must be used with sunscreen. Finally, following up with a compressed powder not only offers additional sun protection but also sets your sunscreen and moisturizer. Learn more about SPF makeup.
As a sun safe brand, it's important for us to share ways to protect your skin in addition to sun protective clothing. Another sun protective brand, Coloresciecne, uses clinically tested ingredients for products that go way beyond UV. Their makeup and sunscreen shields skin from pollution, blue (HEV) light and infrared radiation.
Colorescience's Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Collection is powered by EnviroScreen™ Technology and is comprised of 100% mineral sunscreen products. This collection ranges from sunscreen sticks, lip balms, body and face creams and setting powders.
How long does sunscreen last?
Sunscreen breaks down and fades over time so you should reapply every two hours. Additionally, if you are touching your face this could remove or wipe it off.
One of our favorite setting powders is the Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Brush on Sheild SPF 50 from Colorescience. Powered by EnviroScreen® Technology, this all-powerful, all-mineral skin shield provides complete protection in one convenient, on-the-go application—alone or over makeup. It's SPF 50 and a Broad Spectrum (UVA/UVB) Sunscreen that is water-resistant up to 80 minutes. It has the highest protection UVA rating to protect against these “aging” rays.
Photo provided by @carcar62
How else can I stay sun safe?
Sunscreen is not enough. Incorporate UV-blocking sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats and UPF 50+ clothing to keep sun safe during everyday life.
Now you may be wondering, "what's SPF vs UPF?" As we went over before, SPF is the standard that measures the effectiveness of sunscreen while UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) is used to measure the effectiveness of sun protective fabrics.
Think about all the time you spend in the sun. Even when driving in the car or under the shade, the sun shines through windows and reflects and jumps off surfaces. It's important to cover up in sun block clothing that has UPF. The best part about sun protective clothing? You don't have to reapply it!
The Skin Cancer Foundation considers a UPF rating of 30-49 to offer very good protection and 50+ excellent protection. A UPF rating measures against the amount of UVA and UVB radiation that penetrates the fabric, thereby making its way through to the skin. So, if you wear a shirt with UPF 50, you're letting just 1/50th of the sun's UV radiation reach the skin. Not too shabby!
Photo provided by @beyondfitmom
Are you looking to stay sun-safe without sacrificing style? Visit our website to browse our collection of sun protective clothing. With fashionable pieces for men, women, and kids, Cabana Life has something for every member of your family.