Saules Aizsardzībai

Attractive skin with good tanning and sun protection

We are increasingly concerned about presenting a fresh and natural look during the summer, but it is often difficult to really know how to tan and take care of our skin from the sun without first having suffered from a sunburn or two. To avoid these problems and take better care of ourselves, the most important thing is to know which solar products we can use and how useful they are to us. This is as important as taking care of our body or our diet, in fact experts say that direct exposure to the sun, without any protection, is the main cause of cancer skin diseases among others.

In spite of its dangerousness, a balanced tan is one of the best options to take care of our skin, because the moderate solar radiation of UVB rays improves our vitamin D, and is beneficial to prevent possible skin diseases. That's why Perfume's Club wants to help you find out which sunscreens, face and body protectors are right for you.

What does "phototype" mean and which of them matches the characteristics of your skin?

When we look at the types of sunscreens or sunscreens that best suit us, the first thing we need to determine is what phototype we have. Phototype means each of the colors that exist in the different types of skin, and are determined by the pigments that constitute our skin. These pigments are determined by our genetic and racial heritage. Some of the simplest aspects that we can observe to identify our phototype are: the appearance of freckles in summer, the color of our skin during winter, the color we acquire when tanning, etc. With this in mind, we can place six different phototypes, and what is the recommended sun protection factor (SPF) for each one:

• Phototype I: People with very white and pale skin. They usually have green, blue or very light eyes and blond or red hair. They hardly ever tan and are very prone to sunburn. They need maximum sun protection with SPF 50+.
• Phototype II: People with light or white skin. They usually have green, blue and light brown eyes and light hair as well. They tan very slowly and their tan does not last, they are more likely to suffer burns than to get tanned skin. They need very high sun protection with SPF 50.
• Phototype III: People with light skin in winter and tanned in summer. Their eyes are usually green or brown and their hair brown or dark blonde. They tan easily but can be burned by long exposures to the sun. They need medium-high protection with SPF between 30 and 50.
• Phototype IV: People with brown skin. They usually have brown eyes and brown hair. They tan fairly easily and maintain it all year round. Burns may occur but only with long sun exposure and at peak times. They need medium protection with SPF between 20 and 30.
• Phototype V: People with dark skin. They usually have brown or black eyes and dark brown or very dark hair. They tan very easily and always stay tanned. Burns may occur rarely. They need sunscreen with SPF between 15 and 30.
• Phototype VI: People with very dark or black skin. Their eyes are usually dark brown or black like their hair. They always remain tanned, but may rarely suffer burns. They need sunscreen with SPF between 10 and 20.

This gives you a basic idea of how to be protected during the summer or in any situation where you are going to be exposed to the sun for long hours. It is also a good idea to make sure that the cream has filters to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays.

 Which are the sun products you can find?

Once you have determined what your phototype is, we'll go on to detail the types of sunscreen products you can apply and the different functions of these. There are three clearly differentiated types:

• Photoprotectors: also known as "sunscreens". They absorb the radiation, while they give way to the pigmenting action.
• Tanning products: they are products that accelerate skin pigmentation or tanning. There are two types: the one you apply for sunbathing, or the one you apply without the need for sun (pigmenting make-up). Depending on the type of skin you can apply several versions:
  
  • On dry skin: tanning cream or mousse will be better. They mix very well and are good moisturizers.
  • Oily skin: powder or compact versions. They last longer and absorb sebum.
  • For sensitive skin: hypoallergenic, organic or mineral tanning products.
  • On combination skin: those that best suit you, liquid or oily versions, depending on what we need.
• Products to be applied after sunbathing or "after sun": to refresh and soothe the skin after prolonged exposure to the sun. Restores the skin's pH balance, nourishes and repairs it. You can use them in cream, gel, fluids, spray or mask. You will need to consider which one to choose depending on your skin type.

If you know the types of products and your skin type, you will already have a clear idea of which sunscreen products are of interest to you in each specific situation. It is important that you consult your dermatologist about your skin type, since if you know it beforehand you will have a better follow-up for its care.

Ways to apply our sunscreen

The actual usefulness of your solar products is determined by how you use them. For this reason, it will be very important that you know the basic procedural guidelines that these products have to ensure maximum effectiveness. This way, we will give you some advice on its application:

• First, use sunscreens or suntan lotions that are suitable for your particular skin phototype, and that contain UVA and UVB filters.
• You should use a sufficient amount and cover the entire body surface. Not to mention areas such as ears or scalp in case of babies or baldness.
• It is important to always apply the products with completely dry skin. If we do so when it is wet, the drops act as a magnifying glass in the sun, and increase the risk of burns.
• Make the first application at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun, so that the skin absorbs it and creates the epidermal barrier that will protect you.
• If you are at the beach or pool, you should apply the sunscreen after every bath that lasts more than 20 minutes, but every two hours. You'll benefit from using water-resistant protectors to avoid being so attentive.
• Last but not least, after sun must always be present in our sun protection products. We do not usually give it the importance it deserves, and the truth is that whenever we are exposed to the sun for a certain period of time, our skin suffers, loses elasticity and shows signs of aging. Therefore, using a good facial or body after sun will help us to recover these characteristics and keep our skin nourished. Its main benefits are: to refresh and decongest the skin; to nourish, moisturize and restore our natural collagen; to help the tan settle and become more durable and shiny; to preserve the skin's youth. For all these reasons, after sun will be your greatest ally.

If you follow these simple tips, you'll be able to take advantage of your tan efficiently, or you'll be able to protect yourself from the sun better and for more hours. Since this is a delicate subject, take a good look at these guidelines to see if you want to look your best without taking any kind of skin risk.