Eight affordable sunscreens: which one is truly tan-proof?

A comprehensive review of eight affordable sunscreens. Which one truly prevents you from getting tanned? Do you know what the SPE and PA written on the bottle mean?

① What are the SPF and PA written on the bottle?

SPF is a time value that blocks ultraviolet rays. It is equivalent to delaying the time when you get sunburned. The larger the multiple, the later you will get sunburned.

For example, if a person's skin turns red after 20 minutes in the sun, and she chooses a product with SPF 15, then the amount is 20 (minutes) * 15 (SPF) = 300 minutes.

But this is only an ideal value. In reality, due to changes in people's activities and environment, the cortex will also change, sweat, and produce oil. Coupled with the wear and tear caused by the sun's own skin, the effectiveness of sunscreen products will not last as long as expected.

Now let’s talk about the + sign after PA. This represents the sun protection factor. Previously it was only up to 3, but now there are 4+. PA refers to the protection effect against UV-A. Since it is the UVA protection effect measurement method announced by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan, this expression is not used in Europe and the United States.

To be specific: PA+ delays tanning time by 2-4 times, PA++ delays tanning time by 4-8 times, and PA+++ delays tanning time by more than 8 times.

But it doesn’t mean that the higher the SPF and PA, the better! ! Especially for SPF, the sun protection effects of 50 and 100 are not much different.

Moreover, the higher the sun protection value, the greater the burden on the skin . If it is just for daily life, SPF15, PA+/++ will be enough. In the hot summer, you can use SPF30 PA++. SPF50+ and PA++++ are for use when going up the mountains and down the sea.

② It is not necessary to apply sunscreen at all times

If you stay indoors for a long time during the day, as long as you are not near the window, it depends on your mood whether to apply sunscreen! In addition, both UVA and UVB change significantly throughout the year, especially from November to March, which is the time of the year when ultraviolet rays are the weakest, so it is not the case that sun protection is more necessary in winter than in summer! !

③ How do people who wear makeup reapply sunscreen?

The so-called reapplying sunscreen every two hours means that you should stay outdoors in the sun for a long time. Normal office workers do not need to reapply sunscreen as they spend a short time outdoors. Of course, the sunscreen may be rubbed off inadvertently, so just reapply it once before going out after get off work during the day.

Girls who are outdoors and wear makeup can give priority to pure physical sunscreen or sunscreen powder with strong long-lasting sun protection ability (except for dry skin). This type of sunscreen does not need to be reapplied unless you sweat or play in the water.

④ Should I apply sunscreen or isolation first?

It depends on which of your sunscreen and isolation products does not contain colored powder . To put it simply, it has no color, such as BB foundation. Because if the order is reversed, the powder will weaken the sunscreen effect, and the pigment will easily settle in the skin, so in general, sunscreen should be applied first and then isolation!

Some sunscreens now have built-in primer/isolation effects. In this case, I think just one is enough.

⑤ Several particularly important points! !

Sunscreen is only effective if you apply a certain amount, usually the size of a coin! Don’t spray sunscreen directly on your face! You can spray it on your hands first and then rub it on your face!

Seriously holding up an anti-UV umbrella is the most cost-effective way to protect yourself from the sun when going out! (Not suitable for people like me who are too lazy to bring more than one thing)