Sunscreen is, without doubt, essential when it comes to skincare. You probably are aware of its vast benefits but there are also widespread misconceptions about the product even to date. In order to get the most out of sunscreen, it is important to know the truth about its usage and what affects its effectiveness.
Some of the popular ideas that people know to be true about sunscreen are simply misconceptions. Here are the top three.
- Sunscreen is only necessary on sunny days
This one is probably the most popular myth of sunscreens. The aim of the product is to protect your skin against the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
What you might not be aware of is that the UV radiation still reaches the earth with a good percentage even on a cloudy day. So whether it is cloudy, if you are stepping out, do your skin the favor and apply the sunscreen.
- A higher value of SPF in sunscreen means it will last all day
It is important to note that the SPF (sun protection factor) as indicated on the sunscreen is a measure of the sunscreen’s ability to protect the skin against damage caused by UVB rays.
Regardless of the strength of the sunscreen, none is capable of lasting the whole day. The average expected protection duration is two hours. The number value of the SPF might be looked at from the perspective of the percentage or degree of protection.
- You won’t get skin cancer as long as you use sunscreen
No matter the number value of the SPF, no sunscreen can guarantee 100% shielding against the UVA and UVB rays.
It is, therefore, crucial to keep off the sun during peak hours which is usually between 10am and 2pm and also wear other protective gear such as sunglasses and light hats when exposed to the sun. Sunscreen is basically a portion of the skin protection program.