Secrets of daily suncare

Sunscreens with an SPF of 12 through 29 give moderate protection. Those with an SPF of 30 or higher give high protection against sunburn.
How does the enviroment affects your skin?
Sun: The rays of the sun have more potential to change the look of your skin than any other environmental factor. A sunburn or even a tan indicates your skin has been damaged, and sun damage causes your skin to age before it’s time. Ultraviolet light from the sun breaks down collagen and elastin, the building blocks of your skin, causing wrinkling and sagging. The sun’s rays also make skin rough and can over stimulate pigment cells, causing brown spots. To protect your skin, doctors recommend the daily use of a sunscreen or foundation with an SPF 15.
Winter and summer: Your skin is pliable and soft, and tends to look its best in humid climates. That’s because skin actually draws the moisture from the air into its top layers.
 Meanwhile, dry air will sap moisture from the skin, leaving it flaky, tight and rough. Eventually your skin adjusts — even if you were to move to Alaska from the tropics, your skin wouldn’t stay dry forever. In the meantime, a good moisturiser (and drinking lots of water) will help with the symptoms of dry skin.
Pollution: Pollution is a troublemaker in a couple of important ways. Dust can clog pores and increase bacteria on the face, both of which cause acne. Invisible chemical pollutants in the air can interfere with your skin’s natural protection system. Studies show that pollution can actually cause reactions in the skin that inhibit the way skin builds and repairs itself.
How to use a sunscreen
For optimal protection, generously apply a generous amount of sunscreen over all parts of your body that will be exposed to the sun – the mistake many people make is not applying enough. Let it absorb for at least 15 minutes before going outdoors.
Keep in mind that some people are allergic to certain ingredients found in some sunscreens, so it’s a good idea to test the product first on a small portion of your skin. (It’s not advisable to test it on your face.)
Although some sunscreens claim to be water-repellent or waterproof, you should still reapply every two hours.
If you go into the water or participate in any activity that causes you to sweat excessively, you should reapply sunscreen immediately after drying off.
Nowadays, many makeup foundations contain a sunscreen of SPF 15; this can protect you during the day.
Lips also need to be protected from the sun; many lip balms have an SPF of 15 or higher.
The best protection from the sun is to stay out of it. But there are ways to protect yourself when you can’t avoid exposure. Sunscreens must be part of your daily regimen.
They’re available under a bevy of cosmetic labels and offered in the form of lotions, creams, gels, sprays and oils. A good sunscreen absorbs and/or blocks ultraviolet rays; make sure the one you choose is effective against both UVB and UVA. (Look for the ingredients parsol 1789 or zinc oxide).
UVB rays that caused skin cancer, but they now know that UVA rays are, in fact, more dangerous. At present, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated only that sunscreens protect against UVB rays, but experts say that in the near future, the FDA will require protection against UVA as well.
When choosing a sunscreen or sunblock you’ll notice an SPF (sun protection factor) number. The SPF indicates the amount of exposure your skin can handle from UVB rays before turning red. Dermatologists recommend an SPF of at least 15 for all skin types. To figure out how long it will take you to develop sunburn, multiply the SPF number by 10; for example, with SPF 15 you should be able to stay outside for 150 minutes before burning.
Even with a protective sunscreen, you need to use common sense about how long you stay in the sun. Improved sunscreens have encouraged people to stay out in the sun for greater periods of time, but dermatologists stress that no matter what strength sunscreen you use, you’ll still get some exposure. And if the product you’ve selected has only UVB protection, you’re at risk for the most serious kinds of skin damage, including skin cancer. In fact, in recent years there seems to have been an increased incidence of skin cancers; doctors theorise it’s because more people are using UVB protection only and remaining in the sun longer.
The right SPF for you
Here’s an idea of what level of protection you should use, according to skin type:
lFair or light-skinned, have freckles, never tan, burn easily and are sensitive to the sun — SPF 25
lMedium skin, olive complexioned, of Mediterranean origin, such as Italian  and tan easily — SPF 15
lDark skin, Arab, Asian or African American and tan very easily,  start with SPF 15, but can taper down to SPF 6 after tan develops
The sun is the strongest between 10am and 3pm , and even stronger in the summer and closer to the equator. Remember, you don’t have to be at the beach to wind up with sunburn — any exposure to the sun makes you vulnerable.
Note: The best way to completely block the sun is to wear a wide-brimmed hat, clothing and sunglasses.

– To be continued next week.