Sunscreen 101 - Your Ultimate Sunscreen Guide!

Addiena Beauty
Jan 4, 2017
5 min read

SPF, PA, +++, UVA, UVB... @@

So much knowledge for just your everyday sunscreen.

Today, I'll be sharing the knowledge I get from my favourite Youtube Beatuy Guru, Michelle Phan. I've summarised the video for ya and reviewed on the sunscreens available from Mary Kay Beauty Consultants in Malaysia. I'm going to do this FAQ style to allow easier reading instead of paragraphs and paragraphs of explanation. More interactive, no? xD (I tried).

Q: Why do we need sunscreen?

A: Sunscreen is needed to protect us against UVA and UVB rays which are responsible for most of the skin damages, premature aging and they increase the risk of skin cancer!

Sun rays are also accountable for 90% of wrinkles formation on our skin and it actually takes 20-30 years before we see its effects on our skin! SO MUCH FOR A LITTLE TOO LATE!!

WAIT, WAIT! HOLD UP!

WHAT IS THIS UVA AND UVB? @@

Q: What is UVA and UVB?

A: UVA stands for "Ultra Violet A Rays" while UVB stands for "Ultra Violet B Rays". UVA are considered to be one of the most damaging rays to the skin cells, damaging it and activating premature aging. Let's get a little physics-ish here. So the wavelength for UVA is longer compared to UVB, even on a cloudy day UVA can still penetrate about anything, even our skin! So never think that you can skip sunscreen on a cloudy day!

UVB is the culprit for SUNBURN *inserts angry face emoji* and tanning.

It has shorter wavelength compared to UVA.

This is the obvious reasons people wear sunscreen - to avoid getting tanned and burnt!

Prolonged exposure to UVA and UVB rays can lead to skin cancer. So don't think you're safe after slabbing on sunscreen!

Q: Do I need to apply sunscreen even if I am indoors most of the time?

A: YES! Study shows that glass windows still allows 70% of sun rays to penetrate, thus leaving you susceptible to sun damage.

Q: Who should apply sunscreen?

A: Anyone of age 6 months and above! Yes, your baby needs sun protection too!

Q: So, what is SPF?

A: SPF stands for "Sun Protection Factor". A study from TIME magazine shows that only 43% of the studied population know what SPF truly stands for. SPF actually refers to the number of minutes (duration) of which the sunscreen can protect you before you are toasted. HAHA.

Eg. SPF 5 means 50 minutes of sun protection before you get burnt. Meaning to say, you'll have to reapply every 50 minutes to get optimal protection. But let's be real - ain't nobody got the time for that!

So the minimal SPF recommended for daily use is SPF 15, which has 150 minutes worth of protection = 2.5 hours

SPF 30 = 300 minutes; 5 hours of protection

... and so on. I think you get the picture, right? Just add another 0 to get the duration in minutes and then convert it to hours.

#maths

Q: Ok, so what does PA stand for? And what's with all those + signs?

A: PA stands for UVA protection. There are PA+, PA++ and PA+++ and recently, I've came across a sunscreen with PA++++. Hardcore, man. xD

Basically the more pluses, the more protection against UVA you'll get!

However, it is important to note that not all sunscreens have the PA indication as it is only used in several countries. There are yet to be a certain standard to measure the protection against UVA but you can usually gauge by observing the sunscreen's specification.

Types of sunscreen available at the market:

Chemical Sunscreen

Physical Sunscreen

Go grab your sunscreen and start determining which type is it!

Chemical Sunscreen

Function:

Absorb sun rays and waves like a sponge, instead of letting your skin absorb them

Common Ingredients:

Octylcrylene, Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone, Homosalate, Helioplex, 4-MBC, Mexoryl SX and XL, Tinosorb S and M, Uvinul T 150, Uvinul A Plus

Yay points! :)

1. Do not leave white cast (that gastly white apperance)

2. Looks more natural and photo-friendly

3. More light-weight

Nay points :(

1. Can sometimes irritate those with sensitive skin

Physical Sunscreen

Function:

Acts like a shield/barrier, deflecting/blocking the sun rays

Common Ingredients:

Titanium Dioxide

Zinc Oxide

Yay points! :)

1. More suitable for those with sensitive skin

Nay points :(

1. Leaves white cast after application

2. Looks ghastly in photos as it deflects rays

Now that you know the basics about sunscreen, let's review these Mary Kay Sun Protection Products!

1. Mary Kay Sun Protector SPF 35/PA+++

So this wonderful sunscreen is more suitable for the face. Try and identify which type of sunscreen is it based on its key ingredients:

Yup, a chemical sunscreen. It contains oxybenzone, so those of you who are sensitive or allergic to oxybenzone, you are not recommended to use this product. However, this sunscreen is tested to be:

Dermatologically tested

Suitable for sensitive skin

Clinically tested for skin irritation and allergy

Fragrance-free

Oil-free

Non-comedogenic (does not clog the pores)

Actual Product - photo taken by me

It is super light-weight as mentioned, with watery consistency. Non-greasy and non-sticky.

I swear this is taken after I applied the sunscreen evenly. Looks so natural, you can't even tell the difference!

Verdict: I just LOVE it! I can totally see myself using this on a daily basis under my foundation after layering on my morning skincare products.

2. Mary Kay Sunscreen SPF 50

This sunscreen is recommended to be used on your body as it is creamier compared to the Sun Protector mentioned above. This sunscreen is also water and sweat-resistant. However, if you're planning to go for a dive, the sun protection period will be shortened to 80 minutes.

It is also a chemical sunscreen. So same warning: if you're allergic or sensitive to oxybenzone, it is not recommended to use this product. It is suitable to be used for individuals as young as 6 months and above.

The texture is creamier and thicker for this sunscreen

But it does not have that greasy, sticky feeling after applying. The scent is pretty mild and not offensive.

After even application - no white cast! :D

Verdict: A good sunscreen to be used if you're planning for an active day out, eg. hiking, swimming, cycling or just anything outdoor-sy.

Why choose Mary Kay sunscreens?

All Mary Kay sunscreens are endorsed and recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation for optimum sun care.

To check out if your current sunscreen is under the list:

http://www.skincancer.org/products/categories

Many other Mary Kay products contain SPF protection. I will be covering on those products some other time. So stay tuned!

Want to know where to get those products mentioned? All Mary Kay products are only available through Independent Beauty Consultants (like me!) and customers are given FREE consultation as well as 90 days satisfaction guarantee. Allergic to oxybenzone? No problem, just return it to me within 90 days with 2/3 of the bottle still full, and you can get a full refund!

Interested?

Facebook PM: Dylan Choy

Whatsapp: +6018-9139481

Twitter: @misslpb_mk

Instagram: @misslpb_mk

WeChat: DylanChoy93

Here's the full video from Michelle Phan!