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2021.06.29
Keeping away the rays☀
The season when the blazing sun heats up the skin has finally arrived. In this season, even those who usually avoid sun care products due to laziness often become quite keen to hear news about the release of new sun care products. However, even when you are in the market for a sun care product, as there are so many types and formulations, it is often difficult to decide which one to choose. The reason is that most people don’t have a sufficient understanding of what exactly sun care is. To address that, we’ve prepared an A to Z of sun care! Now, let’s learn about the basics of sun care, which you may have been too embarrassed to ask someone about previously but have still always wanted to know.
Help for answers provided by Minah Kim from Amorepacific R&D Center Clinical Research Lab
Help for answers provided by Minah Kim from Amorepacific R&D Center Clinical Research Lab
Q. What are the reasons why we should use sun care products?
A. UV rays are one of the biggest causes of skin aging. UV rays can redden the skin by causing sunburn, or they can also darken the skin by scorching it. UV rays also accelerate the aging of the skin, e.g., deepening of wrinkles, and they can also directly cause skin pigmentation, resulting in blemishes, freckles, etc. Therefore, when you go out, it is necessary to block UV rays by applying sunscreen on the areas of the skin that are exposed to UV rays. Recently, more and more people are choosing not to use sun care products for the reason that they wear face masks. However, because face masks do not 100% block UV rays, even when you intend to wear a face mask, you still need to apply sunscreen thoroughly all over your face.
Q. Why does sunscreen need to be applied on the face every two hours? If I don’t do so, does the effect go away?
A. It is recommended that sunscreen be reapplied to make up for the bit that gets washed off with sweat or water or the bit that gets removed when coming into contact with clothing or objects. In particular, in environments that are likely to lead to exposure to water or a lot of perspiration, such as outdoor swimming pools and beaches, it is recommended to use a water-resistant sunscreen and reapply it frequently.
Q. Are products with a high sun protection factor (SPF) always good?
A. The higher the content of the sun-blocking ingredients included in the sunscreen, the higher the SPF and PA, or, in other words, UV protection. It’s not that a high sun protection factor is necessary in all situations though. So you are advised to use a product with an appropriate SPF according to the UV exposure situation. When UV rays are not strong and the duration of exposure to UV rays is short as in everyday life, SPF 25/PA++ is recommended. In environments that entail exposure to strong UV rays for extended periods of time though, e.g., outdoor activities, SPF 30 or more/PA+++ is recommended.
Q. Is there any difference in UV protection capabilities between different sun care product formulation types (gel, cream, stick, serum, etc.)?
A. The UV protection capabilities of sun care products do not differ by formulation type; rather, they differ depending on the protection factors (SPF and PA). However, each formulation type has a different feel on the skin and a different level of ease of application. For instance, lotions and essence formulations are suitable if you prefer a light feel. In addition, in the case of stick and cushion formulations, they have the advantages of not getting stuck to your hands and being very convenient to reapply. Therefore, you are advised to choose the formulation that best suits you and the application situation by taking into consideration the characteristics of each formulation.
Q. What is the difference between inorganic and organic products?
A. Inorganic sunscreens are a way of physically blocking UV rays, and they prevent the absorption of UV rays into the skin by scattering and reflecting the UV rays by virtue of the raw mineral ingredients present on the skin, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. On the other hand, organic sunscreens are a way of chemically blocking UV rays, and they prevent UV rays from passing through the skin by absorbing UV rays, converting them into other forms of energy such as heat, and then dissipating them. There are also mixed sunscreens, which are a combination of inorganic and organic sunscreens.
Because these two different types of sunscreen work in different ways, it is impossible to say which type is better or worse. Therefore, it is advised that you select an appropriate sunscreen product according to the characteristics of your skin, the feel of the sunscreen on the skin, and its purpose of use.
Q. What is the difference between blocking UV rays and blocking blue light?
A. Blue light is similar to UV rays, but there are also differences. Exposure to UV rays and blue light induces erythema and blackening reactions. Ultraviolet rays are chiefly present in sunlight, so you are exposed to them a lot during outdoor activities, and you can also be exposed to them by sunlight coming indoors. Blue light is emitted from the sun as well, but it exists not only in sunlight though. It also can be found in various other l ocations indoors.
Inside, you can be exposed to blue light from LED lights, fluorescent lamps, PC monitors, tablet PCs, TVs, and smartphones.
Changes to the skin resulting from blue light are not as well-known as those caused by UV rays; blue light reduces the skin's brightness, increases redness, yellowness, melanin pigment and erythema in the skin, and decreases the skin’s transparency, moisture content and elasticity. According to the results of clinical trials, in usual indoor and outdoor activities during daily life, exposure to blue light for even as short as a week can dim the skin tone and make the skin dull and dry.Blue light and UV rays have different wavelengths. Therefore, if you use an appropriate ingredient that absorbs or reflects the wavelength, you can block each rays.
Q. What is the proper way to clean a sun care product?
A. After using sunscreen, it is important to wash it off with a cleansing foam because the sun-blocking ingredients remaining on the skin can clog pores or cause skin troubles. Particularly in the case of water-resistant products, it is more effective to wash your face twice by first lightly wiping the sunscreen off of the face with cleansing oil, water, etc., and then washing the face again with a cleansing foam.
A. Blue light is similar to UV rays, but there are also differences. Exposure to UV rays and blue light induces erythema and blackening reactions. Ultraviolet rays are chiefly present in sunlight, so you are exposed to them a lot during outdoor activities, and you can also be exposed to them by sunlight coming indoors. Blue light is emitted from the sun as well, but it exists not only in sunlight though. It also can be found in various other l ocations indoors.
Inside, you can be exposed to blue light from LED lights, fluorescent lamps, PC monitors, tablet PCs, TVs, and smartphones.
Changes to the skin resulting from blue light are not as well-known as those caused by UV rays; blue light reduces the skin's brightness, increases redness, yellowness, melanin pigment and erythema in the skin, and decreases the skin’s transparency, moisture content and elasticity. According to the results of clinical trials, in usual indoor and outdoor activities during daily life, exposure to blue light for even as short as a week can dim the skin tone and make the skin dull and dry.Blue light and UV rays have different wavelengths. Therefore, if you use an appropriate ingredient that absorbs or reflects the wavelength, you can block each rays.
Q. What is the proper way to clean a sun care product?
A. After using sunscreen, it is important to wash it off with a cleansing foam because the sun-blocking ingredients remaining on the skin can clog pores or cause skin troubles. Particularly in the case of water-resistant products, it is more effective to wash your face twice by first lightly wiping the sunscreen off of the face with cleansing oil, water, etc., and then washing the face again with a cleansing foam.
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