The 17 types of sun creams (uses and benefits)

Just as important is sunbathing to get vitamin D as protect our skin to prevent the sun's rays from damaging it and can lead to serious damage. When we choose sunscreen it is essential that we take into account different variables to ensure that it adapts to the type of skin and achieve the desired function and effect.

Thus we will take into account the type of filter, the ingredients of the protector, the texture and format, the area of ​​​​the body that we want to protect and the level of protective factor that we need. We must make sure that the cream protects us from both UVA and UVB rays, since both are risk factors for possible effects if we do not protect ourselves against them and do not prevent their penetration into the skin.

In this article, we will talk about the usefulness and the need to apply sunscreen, as well as the different types that exist and which is the most appropriate according to the characteristics of each subject.

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Usefulness of sunscreen

As we already know, it is necessary that the sun gives us, since it is one of the sources that allows us to obtain vitamin D, necessary for the body to absorb calcium, an essential mineral for our bones. But sunbathing too much or doing it without protection is not good, since it can seriously damage our skin, it they can cause burns, stains can appear, the skin ages more quickly and can even lead to breast cancer. skin.

The sun's rays that fall on us can be divided into UVA and UVB. In the case of the former, UVA, their energy is lower but they achieve greater penetration into the skin, reaching the inner layers. The effects it can produce are: skin redness, spots, sun allergies or skin cancer.

On the other hand, UV rays are more energetic but manage to penetrate less. It is the type of ray that allows us to tan, although It can also cause burns if we do not protect ourselves. Similarly, UVA rays can also lead to skin cancer.

In this way, it will be essential that we verify that the cream protects us from both types of solar rays. How to know the protection capacity of each cream? Well, we find it indicated in the number that accompanies the SPF, which is the sun protection factor. This factor tells us how much longer each person can be exposed to the sun without damaging their skin.

For example, if it takes an average of 10 minutes for your skin to begin to be affected by the sun and notice that it begins to burn, with an SPF 30 cream you can safely last up to 300 minutes. We see how the number does not indicate the intensity of protection but the time that it protects us.

So that, if our skin is whiter, sensitive or in the case of children, we will use a sunscreen with a high protective factor. Currently the highest SPF is 50+ which is roughly equivalent to 60. Higher levels of protection factor have similar efficacy and do not fully protect us either, even factor 100 does not achieve complete protection. It is essential that we always put on cream, even on cloudy days, and if possible avoid going out in the sun between 12:00 and 4:00 p.m., when the sun's rays are more intense.

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What kinds of sunscreens are there?

Now that we know the main characteristics and functions of sunscreens, let's see the different types that exist, taking into account different variables. It will be important to choose the one that best suits our skin type. Thus we can classify the different creams according to the type of filter, according to the texture, according to the area that we want to protect or according to the SPF.

1. Filters

We can classify sunscreens according to the action they perform before the sun's rays.

1.1. chemical filters

Chemical filters act modifying the solar radiation that reaches us into a less dangerous one such as thermal radiation. We see how in this case UVA and UVB rays do penetrate the skin. It is the most common type of protection, the formula most used by the best-known brands of sun creams, since allows quick and easy absorption and its fluid texture prevents the skin from turning white, thus being more comfortable to wear. Apply.

1.2. physical filters

Physical filters are made up of mineral ingredients, such as titanium dioxide, and act as a blocking screen for both types of solar rays. not letting any penetrate the skin. In this way we see that it has greater benefits than chemical filters, since it prevents rays penetrate and the ingredients, being minerals, are more natural, therefore being safer and healthy.

Given its greater protection, this type of cream will be the most recommended, especially for children, for people with allergies to the sun, subjects who cannot use chemicals, with sensitive skin or with scars.

1. 3. Biological Filters

Biological filters do not act independently, but are presented together with one of the previous filters, physical or chemical, for greater protection. They are made up of antioxidant substances that allow a better functioning of our immune system against the sun's rays and reduces the oxidation generated by ultraviolet radiation in our body.

2. depending on the texture

Another way to classify the different sun creams is according to their texture and sales format. Each texture is linked to different characteristics, one or the other being more suitable depending on the purpose we seek.

2.1. protective oil

Protective oil is recommended above all for the body. Its oily texture creates a protective layer on top of the skin, also providing greater nutrition. There are different levels of protection.

2.2. protective cream

The cream format is also nourishing, recommended for dry skin, and easy to apply.

23. Protective emulsion

The protector in emulsion it is less dense and fatty than cream, with a lighter texture and especially suitable for combination skin, between oily and dry.

2.4. gel protector

The gel protector is less greasy, thus being recommended for subjects with acne problems. Its light texture allows it to be applied and spread easily, also achieving rapid absorption.

2.5. spray protectant

spray protectors they are applied with great ease in the form of a mist. This type of mechanism allows for a lighter texture and faster application.

2.6 Stick Protector

The stick protector has a dense and solid texture, applied directly to the skin. It usually has a high sun protection factor.

2.7. protective milk

The protective milk has a light texture and its use is recommended only as a body protector.

3. According to the area of ​​the body that we want to protect

Our entire body can be damaged if we do not apply the protector well in the different areas. Depending on which area we want to protect, we can use different types of sun protection with different properties.

3.1. Sunscreen for the face

The components used for sunscreens are different from those used for the rest of the body. The skin on our face is especially sensitive.For this reason, the protectors used are usually hypoallergenic and less harmful to our eyes or mucosa, if they come into contact. Likewise, it is common for them to contain anti-aging and moisturizing ingredients to achieve better action and greater benefits.

3.2. Sunscreen for the body

The body skin has different characteristics to those of the face, being normally drier, thus being able to use more greasy protectors. Similarly, it is common to see that body protectors contain components that regenerate and refresh the skin.

3.3. sunscreen for hair

A part of the body that we normally do not think about protecting is the hair, but just like the skin, it can also be damaged, even if its affectation is not harmful to health. We can use hair protectors with an antioxidant effect, which prevents the destruction of proteins and the loss of water, thus allowing a better appearance of our hair.

4. According to the protective factor

As we have seen, there are different levels of protective factor, requiring more intense protection when the skin is whiter or more sensitive.

4.1. Sun protection factor 15

protective factor 15 allows to increase 15 times the time that we manage to be in the sun without burning or receiving damage. This is one of the lowest levels, for this reason it is recommended to use it only when our body pigmentation is already dark or when we have already managed to get a tan.

4.2. Sun protection factor 20-30

Sun protection factors with levels close to 20 or 30 are considered to provide medium protection. They are a good choice when we have already taken some color, we have already tanned a little.

4.3. Sun protection factor 50

SPF 50 is recommended above all for white skin that tends to burn easily and have difficulty getting a tan.

4.4. Sun protection factor 50+

It is used above all in children and subjects who burn almost always, they cannot spend more than 10 minutes in the sun without burning.