Facial Sunblock

Today I’m going to talk about the SPF rating in Facial Sunblock.

So what is SPF? Well, it stands for Sun Protection Factor. SPF has a numeric value and can go as high as 50+. So for example, facial sunblock SPF 30, or SPF 45. Also, the higher the number, the stronger the protection. It’s used in conjunction with measuring the time it takes for a person to burn when exposed to the sun, from UVB radiation.

The formula goes like this:

Take me for example. On a hot summer day I might start to burn after 15 minutes of being in the sun. If I use a facial sunblock that has an SPF rating of 30, I can theoretically be in the sun for 7.5 hrs. before I start to burn.

SPF rating X 15 (the amount of minutes it takes for you to burn) = 450 minutes or 7.5 hrs.

Another way of looking at this would be as follows. Using a facial sunblock with an SPF rating of 50 means that you would not start to burn until you have been exposed to 50 times the amount it would normally take to burn.

Now, getting back to the 7.5 hrs in my previous example. That is a long time to be in the sun without burning. So let’s talk about different variables.

The SPF rating in facial sunblock and any other sunblock is done in an indoor lab. It does not take into account, heat, wind, shade from passing clouds, or the time of day. And speaking about the time of day, the sun’s rays are the strongest from 10:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M.

Another factor is skin type. Light skinned people will burn sooner than dark skinned people. The amount of facial sunblock that you apply is also a factor, as well as the amount absorbed by the skin.

And what about the activities we do? Swimming? Drying yourself off with a towel. Sweating? The list goes on.

You’re probably saying to yourself, “What good is that formula then?”

I look at it this way. Use a facial sunblock that has a high SPF rating and take into account your skin type and how easy you burn. Read the directions and apply liberally ½ hour before going outside. Re-apply every 2 hours and take into account any type of activities your doing.

Well, for now that’s enough on facial sunblock. Tune in again…

Intro to Facial Sunblock

How many of us use facial sunblock? Most of us who are fair skinned would probably admit to using globs of this stuff in the summer time.
The reality is that we should all use a facial sunblock everyday. Why? So that our skin can look healthy, stay younger, and ultimately help us to reduce our risk of skin cancer.
Damage to your skin can happen in as little as 15 minutes when you’re out in the sun. And you don’t necessarily have to be in direct sunlight for damage to occur.
Out of all our body parts, our face is the most often exposed to the sun. And this is why it should get the most attention.

So what is sun block? It’s a lotion that blocks UVA and UVB radiation. It can do this because it contains chemicals that physically block the sun’s rays. Two of the most common chemicals in sun block are zinc oxide and titanium oxide. The next time you go shopping for facial sunblock read the active ingredients. If it lists zinc oxide and titanium oxide, it’s definitely sun block.
Facial sunblock can come in a variety of forms. I would say that the lotions are the most popular. I personally use the lotions as my first layer. My second layer is usually a spray type of lotion that’s water and sweat proof. Be careful when using these spray lotions since they contain ingredients that can sting if you get it in your eyes. Spray some on your hands first and then gently rub it on your face to avoid getting it in your eyes.
Facial sunblock also comes in stick form. Similar to deodorant containers in function, they have a dial on the bottom that you turn to get the desired amount. If you have children that can’t sit still, this is the type of facial sunblock to get.
Speaking of children, you’ll want to get advice from your dermatologist on the brand/type of facial sunblock to use on your child. I know when my daughter was young her face was very sensitive. The first time we applied lotion to her face she had an allergic reaction and her face swelled up. Luckily it wasn’t serious, and after getting Benadryl in the ER she felt better. It took us awhile, but after trying several brands of facial sunblock, we ended up buying Vanicream SPF 35, which is chemical free and doesn’t contain any type of fragrance. As a result of this, we now test most of our lotions before applying large amounts on our children.
So now that you’ve read my short article, I hope you found it informative. As I continue with this blog I hope to add more and more information on facial sunblock, stay tuned. T5SH5322CQ8J

My Blog on Facial Sunblock

Welcome to my Facial Sunblock blog. Hopefully you’ve come to this site to learn a little more about Facial Sunblock and the benefits of using it. If you have any questions not addressed in my blog feel free to email your question to kezard99@yahoo.com.