Sunscreens

A broad spectrum sunscreen protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays, and when used as directed (along with other sun protection measures), a daily-use facial sunscreen can help prevent the sun damage that contributes to premature signs of aging, as well as skin cancer. All sunscreens are not created equal, which is why it’s especially important to choose a broad spectrum sunscreen.

UVA rays are responsible for the appearance of skin wrinkling, discoloration, and loss of elasticity. These rays are consistently strong throughout the year and can penetrate clouds, glass, and the upper layers of skin causing damage to valuable proteins like collagen and elastin that give the skin its volume and structure. UVA damage is a threat to the skin year-round, even on overcast days, when you are driving, or when you are indoors near a window.

UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and can contribute to skin cancer as well. UVB rays are especially strong in summer and while they do not penetrate skin as deeply as UVA rays, they are still dangerous to the skin’s health.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to finish your morning skincare routine with a nickel-sized amount of face sunscreen. However, it’s important to know that even if you're using a broad spectrum sunscreen for the face, all sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours (especially during extended periods of sun exposure and at times, more frequently after swimming, sweating, or towel-drying) to maintain their effectiveness.

The best SkinCeuticals sunscreen for dry skin is Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30. This sunblock is specifically designed to not only protect your skin but also hydrate it.

First and foremost, look for a broad spectrum sunscreen so you know your skin is shielded from both UVA and UVB rays. From there, make sure the facial sunscreens you’re considering are appropriate for your skin type. It’s also best to opt for the highest level of SPF protection, and SkinCeuticals offers several SPF 50 sunscreens that are both highly effective and “cosmetically elegant.” This means they integrate seamlessly into your skincare routine without leaving your skin with a white cast or interfering with your makeup.

The two types of sunscreens are mineral (also known as physical) and chemical. Mineral-based (or physical) sunscreen filters include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that provide broad spectrum sunscreen protection against damage caused by UVA and UVB rays (especially when used with other sun-protection measures). Sunscreens formulated with these physical filters work by creating a barrier on the skin’s surface that helps reflect the sun’s rays away from the skin.

Chemical sunscreens contain synthetic ingredients that penetrate the uppermost layers of the skin to absorb UVA and UVB rays before they can cause sunburn or other damage to the skin. Chemical-based UV filters found in facial sunscreen products include avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene.

Although mineral-based sunscreens may be a better choice for sensitive or compromised skin, dermatologists often recommend using sunscreens that contain a combination of mineral and chemical UV filters. SkinCeuticals offers both mineral and chemical sunscreens. All of SkinCeuticals’ face sunscreens provide broad spectrum sunscreen protection (and our chemical-based Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 30 offers extra hydration and improvement in uneven skin tone over time).

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, a rating that measures how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays. A higher SPF translates to more time before your skin will burn while exposed to the sun. To ensure your skin is protected from UVA (or “aging” rays) it’s essential to choose a facial sunscreen that offers broad spectrum sunscreen protection—and states this benefit clearly on the tube or bottle.

Facial sunscreen is an essential step in every daily morning skincare routine, and broad spectrum sunscreen protection is key for preventing the UV damage that contributes to premature signs of aging as well as skin cancer. Yet sunscreens alone don’t shield the skin from all harmful free radicals generated by other environmental aggressors such as infrared rays and pollution. Using a daily topical antioxidant serum in conjunction with a broad spectrum sunscreen provides an optimal level of skin protection that helps maintain skin health and prevent other unwanted skin changes.

It is generally recommended to stay between SPF 30 and SPF 50 for sunblock.