Chemical Sunscreen, Here's What to Look for Before Using It
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Chemical Sunscreen, Here's What to Look for Before Using It. Chemical sunscreen is a type of sunscreen that absorbs ultraviolet rays and then converts them into heat that will be released through the skin. In this way, the skin is protected from direct exposure to ultraviolet rays.
The use of sunscreen, including chemical sunscreens, aims to prevent side effects from exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, such as skin aging, darkening of skin tone, skin cell damage, and even health problems such as skin cancer.
Chemical sunscreens and various other types of sunscreens
Sunscreens are divided into three types, namely chemical sunscreens, physical sunscreens, and hybrid sunscreens. These three types of sunscreens differ depending on the main ingredient and how they work.
Chemical sunscreens contain safe chemicals such as homosalate, octocrilene, oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate. These ingredients can neutralize UV rays, so they are not harmful to the skin. In contrast to physical sunscreen, which contains minerals such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
The way it works is also different. Chemical sunscreen is absorbed into the skin layer and neutralizes incoming ultraviolet rays. Meanwhile, physical sunscreen is found in the outer layer of the skin and serves as a shield to reflect UV rays, which is why it is often referred to as sunscreen.
In addition, there are also hybrid sunscreens that blend the materials and characteristics of the two types of sunscreens. Therefore, the choice of sunscreen should be tailored to your skin type and take into account the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Chemical Sunscreen Advantages
The content in chemical sunscreens makes this type of sunscreen have various benefits that other types of sunscreens do not have. Some of these benefits include:
- Easy to use and available in a variety of options such as lotions, creams, and sprays
- Does not make the skin oily and also sticky
- The texture is light and does not cause a white coating on the skin (white color)
- Sweat and water resistant, making it suitable for use while swimming
- It has been shown to be effective in protecting the skin from the effects of UVA and UVB rays, and does not require frequent re-application as it is more durable compared to physical sunscreen
Disadvantages of chemical sunscreen
While the effectiveness of chemical sunscreens is excellent at protecting the skin, there are some drawbacks associated with the chemical composition. Some of its drawbacks include:
- Increased risk of allergic reactions
- May cause inflammation or irritation of sensitive skin
- It should be used 20 minutes before leaving the house, as it is only effective after it has been completely absorbed into the skin
- Chemicals absorbed into the skin can disrupt blood flow and cause rashes
- May worsen skin problems such as melasma and rosacea
Before using chemical sunscreen, make sure that your skin is not sensitive to the chemicals it contains. Choose a chemical sunscreen that is suitable for all skin types and can protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays.
Use sunscreen with the an SPF of at least 30. The higher the SPF number, the better it will be able to protect the skin. For those of you who have dark or uneven skin tone, use sunscreen as a foundation to prevent your skin tone from streaking.
Always use sunscreen when exercising, both outdoors and indoors. This is because indoors, the skin is still at risk of being exposed to UV rays through ventilation or windows. If you're more active outdoors, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.
If you experience skin problems after using chemical sunscreen, contact your doctor online immediately. So, you don't need to leave the house and just attach a photo of your skin so that the doctor can prescribe the right treatment according to your skin condition.
So KATANETIZEN62 friends, that's what the article was about: Chemical Sunscreen, Here's What to Look for Before Using It
