Choose a sunscreen by composition

Choosing the right sunscreen is an important step in skincare, especially when it comes to protecting against the harmful effects of UV rays. However, not all sunscreens are the same, and composition is key. It's important to know what filters and ingredients are included in the cream to choose the safest and most effective product for your skin type. In this article, we'll break down how to choose a sunscreen by composition, paying attention to chemical, physical filters and natural ingredients.

1- Chemical filters in sunscreens

Chemical filters work by absorbing ultraviolet rays and converting them into heat that does not harm the skin. The composition of creams with chemical filters may contain various active ingredients such as avobenzone, oxybenzone and octocrylene.

How chemical filters in creams work

Chemical filters penetrate the top layer of the skin and absorb UV rays, thereby preventing damage. These filters effectively protect against both UVA and UVB rays, but may cause irritation in people with sensitive skin.

• Sunscreens with avobenzone and oxybenzone provide reliable protection against a wide range of UV rays. These ingredients are often found in products with SPF 30 and higher.
• Chemical filters and their safety for the skin: ingredients such as oxybenzone can cause allergic reactions, so for sensitive skin it is better to choose products with physical filters or with a combination of chemical and physical ingredients.

Chemical filters for UVA and UVB protection

Avobenzone and oxybenzone are the most common chemical filters that protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. These filters last for several hours and require reapplication to maintain protection.

• UVA and UVB chemical creams offer long-lasting protection, but it's important to choose products that are suitable for your skin type and don't cause irritation.

2. Physical filters and their features

Physical filters or mineral sunscreens work differently: they create a barrier on the surface of the skin by reflecting UV rays. The main physical filters include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Main physical filters: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are two of the most popular physical filters that do not penetrate the skin, but act on its surface. They are safe to use, especially on sensitive skin and in children's sunscreens.

• Zinc oxide creams for sensitive skin provide reliable protection without the risk of irritation. These creams do not contain chemical components that may cause allergic reactions.
• Sunscreens with titanium dioxide for kids are a great choice for children's skin, as they provide protection from UVA and UVB rays and do not cause allergies.

Benefits of physical protection from the sun

The main advantage of physical filters is that they start working as soon as they are applied and do not take time to activate like chemical filters. They are also less likely to cause irritation, making them ideal for sensitive and baby skin.

• UV protection with zinc oxide is considered one of the most reliable, as this component blocks both long-wave UVA and short-wave UVB rays.

3. natural ingredients in sunscreens

More and more people are paying attention to natural ingredients in sunscreens, preferring products that do not contain synthetic additives. Such creams may contain plant extracts, essential oils and antioxidants that not only protect the skin, but also care for it.

Natural ingredients for sun protection

Sunscreens with natural ingredients often contain plant extracts such as aloe vera, green tea and lavender to soothe the skin and prevent inflammation.

• Creams with aloe vera extract and essential oils have moisturizing and antioxidant effects, providing additional protection against free radicals.

Essential oils in sunscreens

Some sunscreens contain essential oils, such as lavender oil, tea tree oil or rosemary oil, which help soothe irritated skin and help it regenerate after sun exposure.

• Natural sunscreens with antioxidants help protect your skin from sun damage and prevent premature aging.

Plant extracts for sun protection

Plant extracts such as green tea extract have strong antioxidant properties, helping to protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by UV rays.

• Sun protection with botanical ingredients: green tea, pomegranate and chamomile extracts help reduce inflammation and soothe the skin after sun exposure.

Choosing a sunscreen by formulation is an important step in keeping your skin healthy. Chemical filters such as avobenzone and oxybenzone provide strong protection from UVA and UVB rays, but may not be suitable for people with sensitive skin. Physical filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide act as a barrier on the surface of the skin, protecting it from the sun's rays and reducing the risk of irritation. Natural ingredients such as essential oils and plant extracts also help protect the skin by providing extra care. When choosing a sunscreen, focus on your individual needs and skin characteristics to get maximum UV protection.

NW filters in NW facilities

SPF products contain special chemicals, filters, which are able to absorb or scatter UV rays. In other words, cosmetics only become sun protection (SP) when they contain SP filters. There are two types of filters - chemical and physical.

Chemical filters are capable of "absorbing" UV rays. They are divided into UVA "absorbers" (e.g. Oxybenzone and Avobenzone) and UVB "absorbers" (e.g. Octyl methoxycinnamate and Octisalate). This is very important to keep in mind when selecting SPF products.

Physical filters do not absorb, but reflect or scatter UV rays. These are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. They are capable of reflecting both UVA and UVI rays.

There are no filters of plant origin. Therefore, you should not trust advertising that promises to protect your skin with only natural cosmetics.

When choosing an SP product, it is necessary to pay attention to its composition. The safest SPFs are those that contain physical filters. Strange as it may seem, powder and foundation creams may well fulfill the role of SPFs, as they often contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. However, just not on the beach or in the open sun. In these conditions, skin protection should be more powerful.

For daily use, for short stays in the sun - powder and foundation are the best protection. Since chemical filters irritate the skin, especially if there is inflammation on the skin. It will be interesting to know how to remove expression lines from childhood.

Once again, when choosing SP products, you should first of all pay attention to the presence of SP filters in the list of ingredients. Usually they are singled out separately. If no SPF is found in the composition of cosmetics, and the manufacturers persistently say that their product is sunscreen and even has SPF designation, in this case it is better to believe your eyes, not promises.

Choosing a sunscreen by composition video