Sun protection is not a summer topic anymore, but it's an everyday men’s essential for maintaining a healthy-looking complexion. Whether you're lounging on a beach or strolling down a city street, you come in contact with the sun – a major culprit for skin ageing that can yet be addressed by sunscreen products. Questions that first-time sunscreen users have in mind include: What is SPF? What SPF do I need? Do I need sunscreen daily? Read on to debunk these myths to protect your skin all year round!
What is SPF?
SPF, also termed Sun Protection Factor, measures the level of protection a sunscreen product provides against UVB rays – the type of radiation that gives you sunburn and skin cancer.
There is a common misconception that SPF correlates to the time of sun exposure. For instance, if you are likely to get sunburnt in 10 minutes, many believe that an SPF 15 sunscreen will allow you to stay in the sun for 15 times longer (i.e., 150 minutes) without burning. This is untrue since SPF has more to do with the amount of sun exposure than the time of exposure. You are likely to get more sunburn standing outdoors in the mid-noon compared to the same standing time in the early morning, say, 10 am when the sun intensity differs across a day.
The higher the SPF, the better the sun protection. An SPF 15 sunscreen blocks 93% of UVB radiation, whereas an SPF 30 blocks 97% and an SPF 50 blocks 98%. Another way of looking at the Sun Protection Factor is that an SPF 30 sunscreen provides 4% more protection than SPF 15 sunscreen.
Why Do You Need To Apply Sunscreen Daily?
Sunscreen isn't just for holidays. Whether it's sunny or cloudy on a day, the sun emits harmful UV rays, and such daily exposure can cause a range of skin problems over time, such as premature ageing and skin cancer.
The 2 types of solar radiation are UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and are responsible for skin ageing and wrinkles. UVB rays damage the skin's outermost layers and result in sunburn. Hence, applying sunscreen is the key to avoiding sun-damaged skin. Sunscreens with high SPF and broad-spectrum protection protect you from UVA and UVB rays, helping to prevent sunburn, skin cancer, as well as the premature formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
What SPF Should I Use?
Everyone's skin is different, including how it responds to the sun. To ensure adequate sun protection, a minimum SPF of 15 is recommended for people with a darker skin colour, whereas for those with very fair skin, a family history of skin cancer, or conditions like lupus that induce sun sensitivity, we recommend using a higher SPF.
Don't get gulled into a false sense of security by high SPF sunscreens. Regardless of the SPF, reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours is crucial, and do so even more frequently if you're swimming or sweating a lot because the sunscreen may be washed away.
Physical vs Chemical Sunscreens: Which One Is Right for Me?
Sunscreens can be divided into 2 main types: physical and chemical. Chemical sunscreen absorbs UV rays and converts them into heat before releasing them from your skin. In contrast, physical sunscreen does not absorb UV radiation but reflects it. The active ingredients sit atop your skin to form a physical barrier against harmful sun rays.
Physical sunscreens are gently gentler and less likely to irritate sensitive skin, offering instant sun protection immediately upon application. The fact that it isn't absorbed by the skin also makes it an ideal choice for those who are concerned about the absorption of chemical sunscreen ingredients. At Cary, our combines hydration and sun protection in one comedy, containing an SPF 15 physical screen to shield men’s skin against daily sun exposure. The same SPF is also found in our best-selling Under Eye Correction Tinted Eye Cream, which brightens the fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles for a natural, healthy-looking complexion.
Discover Lasting SPF & Sun Protection at Cary
An essential step in high-performance skincare rituals, the daily use of sunscreen is pivotal. From men’s tinted moisturiser to under eye correction tinted eye cream, our premium skincare products are incorporated with an SPF to care for your skin year-round. Follow our Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for more product updates and the ultimate sun protection tips!
