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Do you want to get a beautiful tan or keep an “interesting pallor”? Choose a sunscreen with the optimal SPF – we’ll show you how to do it, explain why sunscreen doesn’t exist, and present Healthy-Food’s top 10 best sunscreens.
Sun cream: types and composition
Sunscreens are the main active ingredient in sunscreens. To date, there are two types of filters that pursue the same goal (to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation), but go to it in different ways.
Sun cream provides sun protection
Physical filters
Physical (mineral) filters are crushed minerals – titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. They do not penetrate the epidermis, reflect the sun’s rays from the surface of the skin, give it a whitish tint, are well tolerated by sensitive skin, and have poor water resistance.
Chemical filters
Additional active ingredients
The formulas also include components that give the tanning cream caring properties:
minerals control oiliness;
antioxidants prevent photoaging, including wrinkles and pigmentation;
acid stimulate skin regeneration and serve to prevent inflammation;
hyaluronic acid and glycerin moisturize;
Oil soften and retain moisture.
Degree of protection SPF: what is it
Sun Protection Factor (sun protection factor) indicates the amount of UVB rays that the cream blocks. For example:
SPF 30 — 93%;
SPF 50 (+) — 98–99%.
The abbreviation PPD (PA in the Asian market) indicates the degree of protection against spectrum A rays. They do not cause burns, are not responsible for tanning, but provoke photoaging, hyperpigmentation and neoplasms on the skin. If the ratio of SPF and PPD of the product tends to 2,5 or 3, then the UVA or Broad Spectrum marking (broad spectrum of protection) appears on the package, which means that the cream provides reliable skin protection from type A rays.
No sunscreen provides XNUMX% sun protection, so there is no such thing as “sunscreen”.
How to choose the right sunscreen for your face
Determine the phototype
The defining characteristic of the skin phototype is its photosensitivity, the natural ability to protect itself from the sun, that is, to produce melanin under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. The higher this ability, the lower the risk of burns, and the chances of getting a quick and deep tan, on the contrary, increase.
Choose sun protection according to your phototype
There are six phototypes in total. To determine yours, you do not need to sit in the sun with a stopwatch and wait until the skin turns red. External parameters serve as reference points:
skin tone;
eye and hair color;
number of freckles.
| Phototype | Hair, skin, eye color | Freckles | Burns | Tan |
| I Celtic | red/blonde – milky white/pinkish – blue/green | always | no | |
| II Light-skinned European (Nordic) | blond / light brown – light / cream – gray / green | always | light, golden, honey | |
| III Black European (Central European) | dark blond / brown – ivory – gray / brown | often | dark honey or chocolate | |
| IV Mediterranean | dark brown / brunette – olive – dark brown | no | rarely | dark, chocolate |
| V Asian (Indonesian) | black – dark brown – dark brown | no | rarely | very dark |
| VI African | black hair, skin and eyes | no | no | the black |
Choice of degree of protection
The required degree of protection from the sun depends not only on the phototype, but also on the activity of the sun, which increases with the arrival of the warm season and geographical proximity to the equator.
It is obvious that representatives of phototypes V and VI, who never burn, do not formally need a tanning cream. However, even for them, dermatologists recommend using sunscreen with a medium SPF to protect the skin from the effects of UVA rays, which provoke early aging, age spots and skin diseases.
| Phototype | moderate solar activity | High | Very high |
| I | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 + |
| II | SPF 20 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| IV | SPF 15 | SPF 20 | SPF 30 |
| V | — | SPF 20 | SPF 20 |
| VI | — | SPF 20 | SPF 20 |
Regardless of the final goal: to get a good tan or protect the skin from darkening – in the first days of the holiday, use a cream with maximum protection.
Sun cream by skin type
Despite the fact that “phototype” and “skin type” are completely different, unrelated concepts, dermatologists recommend choosing a sunscreen with maximum SPFif you have oily, and even more problematic skin. Enhanced protection is also recommended for:
propensity to be allergic to the sun;
hyperpigmentation.
Focus on the texture of the product and additional functionality:
matting;
moisturizing;
optical correction;
fighting pigmentation.
Here are some examples of the best tanning creams that provide reliable protection from the sun’s rays and care for different skin types with different needs.
Face cream after sun
An after-sun product is a useful thing, especially if for some reason you have not managed to protect yourself from a burn. Gels with a cooling effect, light milk with soothing ingredients, SOS-balm will help to quickly relieve discomfort and prevent peeling.
Cream after infection soothes and moisturizes the skin
After the beach, the SPF cream should be washed off with a gentle cleanser and then applied to the face with a light moisturizer/gel or serum.
10 best face tanning creams
Consider which creams are the best, according to the editors of Healthy-Food. The review includes 7 popular brands: La Roche-Posay, Vichy, SkinCeuticals, Garnier, Kiehl’s, Lancôme, L’Oréal Paris.
For oily skin
1. Mattifying Gel Cream Anthelios XL, SPF 50+/PPD21, La Roche-Posay – A favorite of those with oily and problematic skin: with a light, non-sticky texture and non-comedogenic formula, it provides maximum sun protection and tames oily shine.
Protects against burns and allergic reactions, prevents the appearance of wrinkles and age spots with the help of a photostable filter system (Mexoplex).
The Airlicium technology is responsible for the sebum-regulating effect, thanks to which the skin remains matte throughout the day, wherever you spend it – in the city, in the mountains, on the beach.
Absorbs instantly to reduce the appearance of pores and is an excellent makeup base.
The rating of the majority of users is five points!
2. Capital Idéal Soleil Dry Touch Mattifying Face Emulsion, SPF 30, Vichy absorbs quickly and creates a powdery effect. The formula includes four types of filters (including mineral) plus vitamin E for antioxidant protection. Restrains oily sheen in conditions of high humidity in the city and on the beach, maintains the level of skin hydration due to the action of hyaluronic acid. Suitable for oily and problematic skin.
3. Mineral Radiance UV Defense Sunscreen, SPF 50, SkinCeuticals protects oily and problematic skin with a combination of chemical and mineral filters, while smoothing its surface and preventing clogging of pores due to sulfonic acid, which stimulates the exfoliation of dead cells. The formula is enriched with vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), one of the most powerful antioxidants, and shea butter, which maintains the integrity of the hydrolipid mantle and prevents dehydration.
For sensitive skin
4. Ultra-light fluid Anthelios XL, SPF 50+ / PPD 46, La Roche-Posay – for reliable protection of skin prone to allergies and redness. Does not leave marks, makes the skin soft and matte. The natural mineral perlite absorbs excess sebum without drying it out.
Additionally, antioxidants protect the skin, including selenium, which is rich in La Roche-Posay thermal water, which is part of it. Fluid can be used after aesthetic procedures.
5. Cream Ambre Solaire “Expert Protection”, SPF 50+, Garnier, protects light sensitive skin of the face and body thanks to a hypoallergenic waterproof formula, supplemented with moisturizing and softening ingredients. It is well absorbed and does not leave a greasy film feeling.
For dry skin
6. Sun lotion for face and body Activated Sun Protector, SPF 50, Kiehl’s, combines water resistance, long-term protection against broad spectrum rays and long-lasting hydration with a skin-friendly non-sticky texture. Antioxidants derived from goji berries neutralize free radicals. The formula is free of oils, fragrances, parabens and silicones.
7. Soleil Bronzer Moisturizing Sunscreen BB Cream, SPF 50, Lancôme, contains antioxidants and precious oils of argan, monoi and rosehip. Protects the skin from photoaging and dehydration caused by exposure to solar radiation. Absorbs quickly, forming a light protective film and evens out complexion due to corrective pigments.
Against pigmentation
8. Hyaluronic Acid Bi-Phase Sunscreen Moisture Mist, SPF 30, Vichy evens out the complexion, gives the skin a radiance and shade of natural tan. Protects from the sun’s rays, including UVA, preventing the formation of age spots.
9. Hyperbright Sunscreen Brightening UV Defense SPF 30, SkinCeuticals, according to users, is one of the best means for every day. It has a light texture, absorbs quickly and without a trace, effectively moisturizes and therefore serves as a good base for make-up. Not only protects the skin, but also gives it radiance, and also fights age spots. Without fragrances.
10. Sublime Sun Extra Protection Face Cream, SPF 30, L’Oréal Paris, with Mexoryl SX filters, vitamin E and jasmine extract provides skin protection from ultraviolet radiation, preventing the appearance of premature wrinkles and age spots. With a light non-greasy texture, the product is quickly absorbed, bringing the skin a feeling of comfort.