The most important beauty regime to slower the process of aging is the Sunscreen. The more the slathering of this beauty, the younger the skin! You must’ve wondered what SPF stands for? SPF is the abbreviation for the term Sun Protection Factor. Generally SPF is followed by a certain number on your sunscreen tube. What is this number? What does it denote?
The SPF number actually denotes the effect of protection it provides from the sun’s UVB rays. Multiply the number by 10, and that is the number of minutes this SPF will protect you from the harmful rays of the sun. For eg: A Sunscreen with an SPF 15 will help to protect your skin for upto 150 minutes. So, if you need to stay longer in the sun, you need to slather some more sunscreen from time to time. So, the higher the SPF number , the longer the time of protection.
How to apply Sunscreen?
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
- Follow it up with an alcohol-free toner
- Apply a lightweight moisturize (wait for the skin to absorb the moisture for a few minutes)
- Take a dime sized amount of sunblock on a clean palm and dot your face with it. Massage it in circular motions in an upward direction until the skin absorbs all of it.
Always remember to slather sunscreen liberally. Sunscreens work better when applied in a liberal amount. Apply sunscreen 20-25 minutes before stepping out in the sun.
If you wish to apply makeup, let the sunscreen rest for a good 15-20 minutes. Apply a mineral based makeup or any makeup foundation or compact with SPF. It is advisable to touch-up your compact from time to time. This will keep you looking fresh along with protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays which can even lead to skin cancer.
A common myth is that sunscreen should only be applied on sunny days. But you must know that UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin. These rays can be emitted through the windows, in the car, at home through the tube light, and even on a cloudy day. They cause deep pigmentation and result in an uneven skin tone , causing premature aging of the skin.
So remember to take utmost care of your skin everyday with a generous amount of sunscreen, do not forget to wear shades with UV protection glasses and wear a hat when you lay down to sun bathe!