What you need to know about sunscreen?

For most people, probably the most pleasant time of the year is approaching. Holidays mean long summer nights, warm evenings, unforgettable adventures and burning sun. The first three elements listed above are definitely the nicest features of summer holiday. However, when it comes to sunlight, we must remember to protect our skin. The first thing that comes to your minds when talking about protection against harmful UV radiation, are probably creams with SPF. Are we educated enough to distinguish which ones are better than the others and how to use them correctly?

The specification of sunlight protection

UV protection is an extremely crucial matter especially in the middle of summer. Sunscreens are such cosmetics which activity is based on protective chemicals. Their job is to protect the skin against harmful sunlight. It is advisable to chose those products that fulfil all your requirements connected with sun protection. There are other cosmetics responsible for other features such as hydrating, nourishing or emphasizing tan. Sunscreen should be their supplement.

Different types of sunscreen

When it comes to hair and skin care, everyone knows that it can be carried out in many different ways. Each time though, we reach for a sunscreen with an appropriate SPF content, depending on the situation. There are two type of sunscreen that provide different kinds of protection.

1. Chemical UV filters – are associated with the epidermis and absorb solar radiation.
2. Physical UV filters – form a barrier on the skin and diffuse light falling on it.

The market is full of different kinds of mixtures of those two UV filters. In order to provide the best protection, the producers combine the two types together.

The secret of UV filters

UV filters are the first line of defence against harmful UV radiation. Apart from the absorbing and scattering light components, we can also find other substances. Many products are enriched with the ability to interrupt the photochemical chain reactions caused by radiation that is able to go through the protective barrier. It sounds complicated but it is all about the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances.

Chemical vs physical UV filters

Physical filters are less likely to cause skin irritations because they do not engage in any reaction with the skin. Chemical filters on the other hand, have different advantages. Their components are to weak to appear on their own in a ready made product. With their help, you can achieve a very low coefficient of SPF. All in all, better protection is definitely provided by chemical sunscreens.