Summer is here! Finally time for shorts, dresses and skirts again – and sunscreen. This is a topic that is often neglected or ridiculed. The right sun protection with the right sun protection factor is extremely important to protect the skin from premature aging and sunburn .
Whether for sunbathing in the park or for your next holiday: sun protection should always be with you. But it doesn’t have to be sunscreen, many day creams now have integrated UV protection. Which sun protection factor (SPF) you need depends not only on your skin type , but also on what activity you do outdoors.
Table of Contents
The right sun protection for babies and children
The skin of babies and children is particularly sensitive to light. The sun’s rays attack and damage skin cells, as children produce very little of the pigment melanin, which colors the skin, in their first year of life. In addition to coloring the skin, it protects to a certain extent from the sun’s UV rays. However, melanin does not protect anyone from sunburn , which is why the right sun protection is crucial.
The right sun protection factor for babies and children
Cream babies and children properly
Sunscreens for adults
Adults produce more of the body’s own melanin and the skin reacts better to UV rays. Nevertheless, this is no reason not to apply enough cream.
The right sun protection factor for every skin type
Also exciting: Test yourself: Which sun protection factor do I need? >>
Proper handling of UV radiation
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In this country, most people belong to one of the following sun types :
- Type 1 is usually characterized by light blond hair, light blue eyes and a self-protection time of five minutes.
- Type 2 often has blond hair, blue or green eyes and around ten minutes of self-protection time.
- Type 3 tends to have dark blonde hair, gray or brown eyes – and has a self-protection time of around 20 minutes.
- With its dark hair and eyes, type 4 looks more Mediterranean and can stay unprotected in the sun for 40 minutes. To calculate how many minutes your sun protection is extended with a sunscreen, multiply the factor by your own protection.
Example: If type 2 applies an LSF (SPF) 20 with a self-protection time of ten minutes, he is protected from the rays for 200 minutes. In order to achieve the specified sun protection, 2 milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin are required, which is about eleven tablespoons for the entire body. New studies show that often only half is used – sunburn occurs correspondingly faster.
Bye, SPF
Do you still have an opened product from last summer? Throw it away, the filters lose their effectiveness after a year. Tip: Write the opening date on the tube with a waterproof pen.
2nd rule: the right time
Mineral sunscreen filters work from the moment they are applied – chemical filters need 30 minutes lead time and should be distributed in good time. Many cosmetics manufacturers combine both filters. If you want to use purely mineral sun protection, pay attention to information such as “100% natural” or “100% mineral sun protection”.
3rd rule: the best technique
Do not massage in the sunscreen too much, otherwise it will not work optimally. Circular movements that evenly distribute the sunscreen are better, according to the results of a British study. Incidentally, the “Bermuda Triangle”, the area between the neck and shoulder blades, is most often neglected. If neither your partner nor your girlfriend is there to put cream on this spot for you, sun protection spray, which does not have to be rubbed in, will help. And please don’t forget: In order not to unnecessarily burden the skin , shower off the sunscreen in the evening
In the city: The optimal basis for everyday life
Even if we enjoy the sun on the park bench for half an hour at midday, we have to protect our skin. Fortunately, we no longer need to resort to greasy sunscreen: Many cosmetics manufacturers now add zinc and monolaurin to their UV filters – a natural fatty acid that mattifies shiny areas and prevents impurities. Or tinted pigments that conceal redness like make-up. More and more primers contain a high level of sun protection. And special sun creams are competing with facial care by preventing early wrinkles, e.g. B. prevent with white tea. New moisturizing sprays with sun protection are practical and can be spread over make-up – or on the feet while they are in flip-flops or strappy sandals.
Don’t forget: also protect your hands, ears, neck and décolleté.
… And these creams form the optimal protective basis for everyday life.
From the left:
CHESS MAT
Avoid too much shine with zinc. “Anthelios XL 30+ Mattifying Gel-Cream 30”, La Roche-Posay , 50 ml, approx. 18 euros.
YOUTH SOURCE
Prevents wrinkles with white tea, SPF 30, “Sun Protection Face Cream” by Rituals , 50 ml, approx. 15 euros.
COLOR PROTECTION
Make-up mit 100 Prozent mineralischem LSF. “Compact Foundation LSF 30”, Eco Cosmetics, 10 g, ca. 28 Euro.
ALWAYS THERE
The moisturizing spray nourishes and protects. “Hydrabio Eau de soin SPF 30” by Bioderma , 50 ml, about 15 euros.
CLEAR THING
Reduces sebum formation with monolaurin. “Cleanance Sun SPF 50” by Avène , 50 ml, approx. 18 euros.
TOP COVER
Conceals redness with colored pigments. “Sun Creme Tinted LSF 50” from Eucerin, 50 ml, approx. 19 euros.
On the beach: sun protection for hours at the sea
If the sun is reflected by the water, it appears up to 90 percent more intense. Now we have to take special care of ourselves – and we shouldn’t fall prey to the widespread misconception that sunbathing can be extended as much as you like by applying the sun protection filter several times. The truth is that the skin needs at least twelve hours of rest once the protection provided by a UV filter has expired – only then can the sun protection work again. The reason for the misunderstanding is the advice of many sun protection manufacturers to renew the product regularly. However, this is only intended to ensure that the original protective film can work as promised – because this is e.g. B. by sweating during sports, swimming in the water or at the latest when rubbing with a towel to a large extent. Even sunscreens labeled “waterproof”, which are the first choice by the sea, should be renewed regularly over the course of a day at the beach – because they only have to prove that after two twenty minutes in the water, 50 percent of the protective film is still on the skin. Sand-repellent sunscreens with so-called wet technology, which can also be spread on damp skin, are also practical. Athletes choose extra-light textures with nylon powder or deodorant minerals that absorb sweat like a sponge. And fat-free products without synthetic fragrances, colors or preservatives protect against sun allergies. that after two twenty minutes in the water, 50 percent of the protective film is still on the skin. Sand-repellent sunscreens with so-called wet technology, which can also be spread on damp skin, are also practical. Athletes choose extra-light textures with nylon powder or deodorant minerals that absorb sweat like a sponge. And fat-free products without synthetic fragrances, colors or preservatives protect against sun allergies. that after two twenty minutes in the water, 50 percent of the protective film is still on the skin. Sand-repellent sunscreens with so-called wet technology, which can also be spread on damp skin, are also practical. Athletes choose extra-light textures with nylon powder or deodorant minerals that absorb sweat like a sponge. And fat-free products without synthetic fragrances, colors or preservatives protect against sun allergies.
… And these products prepare you for a day at the beach.
From the left:
WATER PRO
The waterproof lotion absorbs quickly, even on damp skin. “Idéal Soleil SPF 50 Ultra-Light Gel Milk” by Vichy , 200 ml, approx. 23 euros.
SUMMER FRAGRANCE
Can be spread on damp skin – and refreshes with citrus notes. “Fluide Solaire Wet or Dry Skin LSF 30” by Biotherm , 200 ml, approx. 27 euros.
GOOD
The back can also be reached with the sand-repellent sun protection spray. “Sun Sport Wet Skin LSF 50” by Lancaster , 125 ml, approx. 29 euros.
GUARDIAN ANGEL
Even sensitive skin tolerates the spray without fragrances, colorings and preservatives. “Protection & Sensitive Spray LSF 30”, Nivea , 200 ml, approx. 11 euros.
SPORT FRIEND
The spray absorbs sweat with nylon powder. “Ambre Solaire UV Sport Multi-Resistant Sun Protection Spray LSF 50” by Garnier , 200 ml, about 11 euros.
In the mountains: sun protection for hikes
The sun is most often underestimated in the mountains: Especially when a cool wind is blowing, you can hardly feel it there – the UV exposure increases by about ten percent for every thousand meters of altitude. Now we need a particularly high level of sun protection – everywhere: the lips are happy about a protective balm, the sensitive area around the eyes a mineral sun protection that does not irritate. Headgear that also protects the neck is also good. And high-quality sunglasses with a UV filter, indicated by the CE mark on the inside of the temple, for example. Caution: Without light protection, sunglasses are more likely to damage our eyes – because the darkened lenses prevent our pupils from constricting in bright daylight. This allows the UV light to penetrate unhindered.
… And these products offer optimal protection in the mountains.
From the left:
DETAIL WORK
Cares for the lips with shea butter and beeswax – and contains an SPF 20. “Sun Care Lip Stick” by Annemarie Börlind , 4.8 g, approx. 6 euros.
EVERYTHING IN VIEW
Protects the eye area with a 100% natural filter – without preservatives. “Eye SPF 30” from Ultrasun , 15 ml, approx. 25 euros.
CARE
Reliably repels the sun with high sun protection – even for sensitive skin. “Solvinea SPF 50” for the face by Dermasence ,
50 ml, approx. 22 Euro.
