WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH UVA AND UVB?
The sunlight that reaches us is made up of two harmful rays; short wave ultraviolet B (UVB) and long wave ultraviolet A (UVA). The UVB rays are mainly responsible for the sunburn and reddening while the UVA rays, which penetrates deeper into the skin, play a major part in the skin ageing. Therefore you need protection from both! Following European recommendation all sun care products have UVA and UVB protection. UVB rays have a different intensity depending on season, location and time of day. The peaking hours are usually between 10am to 4pm, but the sun reaches you even when you’re in the shade. UVA rays are present during all daylight hours and throughout the year and can also penetrate clouds and glass. Up to 90% of visible skin changes are the result of sun damage, so it is truly important to always wear sunscreen! Studies also show that adequate protection from UV radiation can lower the risk of skin cancer.
I FEEL LIKE A TAN MAKES ME LOOK GLOWY AND FRESH, DO I REALLY HAVE TO USE A HIGH SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and the number of a specific sunscreen refers to its ability to deflect and absorb UVB rays. For the UVA Protection Factor (UVAPF) it equals at least one third of the SPF value and represented by a circled UVA logo. 80% of your skins ageing is lifestyle related, and sun is the biggest contributor to that number. A photo-aged skin (damaged by repeated exposure to UV radiation) will have a leathery saggy appearance, pigment disorders, less elasticity and moisturisation. So yes, protect your face and, don’t turn to the sun for that glow!
SUNSCREEN VS VITAMIN D – CAN I HAVE BOTH?
Yes you can! If you always make sure to be outside 15 minutes a day, you will get the daily recommended dosage of Vitamin D. So, don’t skip sunscreen for the benefit of Vitamin D - It doesn’t even have to be sunny for you to get the dose that you need, just being out in daylight counts!
EDITOR’S TIP
EU has one of the strictest regulations for sunscreen protectors in the world and Oriflame proudly follows those regulations and guidance for all our products. So, make sure to always protect your skin properly to keep it healthy – enjoy the sun and stay smart at the same time!
