Pomp: Personalized Skincare Recommendations

View Original

Best SPF for Your Skin Type

An Esthetician’s Guide to SPF

Summer’s right around the corner, and so are the days that we’re out enjoying the sun! As we all know by now, the sun can be our best friend and also our worst enemy. Too much sun exposure not only causes dark spots and hyperpigmentation, it also causes the skin to age much faster and worse. It’s the number one culprit of skin cancer -  but we all can avoid these and enjoy the sun responsibly by applying sun protection, aka sunscreen! 

Thanks to modern science and technology, there’s a wide range of sunscreen options suitable for your skin type. It can get overwhelming but that’s why your estheticians are here to help!  

Understanding SPF Labels

The main reason why understanding SPF labels is important is because you can get an idea of how a product is going to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. 

Pro-Tip:

To get the full SPF protection noted on the bottle, you need to apply the sunscreen liberally and evenly (use your peace fingers to measure how much you should apply for every part of your body, especially your face) and reapply every after 2 hours.

The Best SPF’s by Skin Type 

Skin Type: Dry/Sensitive

Look for sunscreen that doubles up as a moisturizer. Specifically, mineral sunscreens with titanium dioxide or zinc as the active ingredients. They are generally less irritating to the skin. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, nicotinamide/niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3), and vitamin C are great ingredients to look for. You’d also want to avoid products with alcohol, preservatives, fragrances, and oxybenzone. 

Skin Type: Oily/Acne-Prone

Look for lightweight formulations that are specifically made for oily skin. Products with niacinamide can help with the redness as well as anything soothing such as green tea and chamomile.

Skin type: Normal

Ah, the lucky ones. Finding the perfect sunscreen is a matter of preference, and mostly focuses on preventative measures to battle out signs of aging. 

Skin Type: Combination

Depending on the combination, sunscreen you should look for when you have this skin-type should depend on what your main concern is. Regardless, opt for lightweight formulations that are non-comedogenic to avoid skin irritation. 

Your SPF matters

While any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen at all, choosing the most appropriate formulation for your skin type will give you optimal protection. With all these tips, I hope you can confidently find the sunscreen of your dreams, one that you wouldn’t mind wearing, even when you’re just lounging at home. Sunscreen is the most important part in your morning skincare routine so having the right sunscreen increases the chances of it becoming an enjoyable part of your daily routine.

As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact your Pomp Esthetician for their recommendations.

Sources: 

  1. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-drug-evaluation-and-research-cder/sun-protection-factor-spf

  2. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun

  3. https://www.dermaessentia.com/blogs/sun-care/how-to-choose-sunscreen-according-to-skin-type

  4. https://www.forbes.com/health/body/how-to-pick-the-best-sunscreen-for-skin-types/#:~:text=Mineral%20sunscreens%20with%20titanium%20dioxide,Paviol.

  5. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/should-you-use-very-high-spf-sunscreen.h00-159460845.html#:~:text=The%20SPF%20rating%20only%20refers,rays%20from%20reaching%20your%20skin.