We’re entering sunscreen season, and while you’re opening those fresh bottles or peeling off the packaging from spray cans, there are a lot of myths about sunscreen that it’s time to let go. In the end, be prepared to face some situations that you never thought of.
There are important questions to be answered about which sunscreen will be good for your skin, how much and how often you should use sunscreen! No sunscreen can completely “block” the sun’s rays, and therefore the FDA has divided such products into two classes, sunscreen and sunscreen, based on their ingredients.
HOW MUCH SUN CREAM SHOULD APPLY FOR EFFECTIVE PROTECTION?
Do you know that the appropriate amount of sunscreen to use should be around 50 grams? It may seem like a lot at first glance. However, this number is calculated so that your entire body is equivalent to two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin. So why?
This is the amount used in the SPF test. Because it is difficult for scientists to consistently apply a thinner layer in experiments. So this amount was chosen for ease of testing, not because people had to “apply” so much. In reality, no one actually applies that much sunscreen. But you can protect your skin by applying it as much as possible.
WHAT IS THIS SPF?
SPF abbreviation stands for Sun Protection Factor. SPF, which is the Turkish equivalent of the Sun Protection Factor, indicates the degree of protection of the cosmetic products used. High SPF really protects you better.
SUNSCREEN LEGEND
As with every product, there are various myths about sunscreens. One group claims that sunscreens are more dangerous than the sun’s rays itself. According to scientific studies, this claim is not true. It should not be forgotten that the sun’s rays cause millions of people to get skin cancer every year.
CAN YOU MAKE YOUR OWN SUN CREAM?
Among the alternatives to sunscreen, there is a belief that it can be made at home with herbal, essential oils. We have bad news for you: don’t expect it to protect you from the sun by mixing the active ingredients used in sunscreen evenly with natural oils. There’s a science to formulating sunscreen. Natural oils can be nourishing and protective, but their effect is controversial.
IS IT ENOUGH TO APPLY SUN CREAM ONCE A DAY?
No! You should definitely apply the sunscreen over and over again, especially if you are outside during the day when the sun is at its peak.
EVERY YEAR YOU MUST BUY A NEW SUN CREAM
If your sunscreen bottle doesn’t have an expiration date, you can use it for three years if you’re sure it’s been stored properly. If you bought two sunscreens on sale last summer and have kept them properly since then, you can use them. On the other hand, sunscreen that’s been rolling on the floor of your car for a year has probably deteriorated in the heat.
ARE SUN CREAM EFFECTIVE AGAINST WATER?
Just as no sunscreen can completely block the sun, no sunscreen can be truly waterproof. If you plan to swim in the sea after applying sunscreen, you should choose creams that are written as water resistant. However, when buying a water-resistant sunscreen, check how water-resistant the product is on the back of the product.