As the summer is here, sunscreens become increasingly important to have as a part of your skin care routine. While SPFs should be a year-round thing to protect against harmful UV rays, the summer months in particular come with a higher UV index, so need the most attention.
Keep in mind the following SPF DOs and DON’Ts for this hot season in Pakistan.
DO use minimum SPF 50
This is higher than most other recommendations (of 30). Why? Because the sun in Pakistan is typically harder and harsher than other countries, where such guides are written. SPF 30 is still fine, only for intermittent exposure, or indoor use!
DON’T skimp on quantity
You need to use enough SPF that it applies a thin layer of coverage over the given skin. This doesn’t mean it has to be a lot, but it should at least be sufficient. Different sunscreens have different “spreadability” and can affect how much is needed.
DO use SPF if you use retinols / vitamin C
Retinols and Vitamin C, when combined with sun exposure, increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays. This means that, without the proper precautions, they can cause your skin to age prematurely and expose you to serious health risks. Incorporating sunscreen into your morning routine will ensure the effectiveness of your anti-aging products and will give you peace of mind knowing that your skin is protected from harmful UV rays.
DO check the expiry of your SPFs
Sunscreen is vital for protecting your skin and physical health. Using expired sunscreen may reduce its efficiency. Expired SPFs (specially chemical ones) can also increase your risk of burns and may otherwise irritate your skin. Keep in mind that unlike many other skincare products, SPFs products have an expiry by law, and any SPF product without an expiry is likely fake.
DON’T apply SPF just once a day
You should ideally reapply SPF every few hours to maintain optimal protection. This isn’t always great for makeup wearers, but we always say at MerryDerma – function over form! Some liquid sunscreens may be more useful in such cases, since they’re easier to blend.