Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sun Shields - On!
As Baz Luhrman once said, "Wear sunscreen".
I've read a lot online about how important it is to wear sunscreen (or sunblock as the locals call it and I'll probably alternate between using it) everyday whenever we're outdoors. Such advice usually falls on deaf ears because for some odd reason, everyone associates sunblock with going on beach holidays.
And no one likes to be reminded that a beach holiday is the last thing they'll be doing when they slap on the sunblock before leaving for work :(
(oh wow, I just did a wiki-search and there is a difference between sunscreen and sunblock. cool beans!)
Now the whole SPF (Skin Protection Factor) thing is pretty confusing. Does a higher SPF number mean I get more protection from the sun? SPF doesnt exactly mean the amount of sun protection you get. Basically, all sunblocks give you about the same level of sun protection, but the SPF number means approximately how long you can stay out in the sun before the rays take effect and you start to toast.
For example, if you start roasting and turning red after about 10 minutes in the sun, a sunblock with SPF15 means you can stay outdoors for around 150 minutes before you turn in to a lobster. SPF 50 means your skin will need to be exposed to 50 times the amount of UV rays it takes for you to turn red before you burn.
Also, don't forget that because there's UVA and UVB rays, you'll be needing a sunblock that protects you from both (look for labels like "UVA/UVB" or "broad spectrum"). The difference between UVA and UVB? UVB rays penetrate only the top layer of your skin, the epidermis. It's the ray that causes you to tan and you can pretty much avoid it by staying under the shade, covering yourself up in swathes of cloth or be a princess indoors.
UVA is what we should be worried about because this bad boy is just as strong all year round, penetrates through shade, clothing and glass (like car windows) and goes straight to your dermis. This is the one that's going to make you look in the mirror in a few years time and pass out at the amount of sun damage like wrinkles, freckles and spots on your skin.
For all you visually-stimulated folks out there.
If you're going to wear sunblock, kiasu-ness is key. Take as high an SPF as you can go. SPF 15 is for wimps!
Personally, I never did wear facial sunblock on my face because sunblock has always been known to be kinda sticky, oily and feels thicker than a layer of mayonnaise on Elvis' sandwich. But technology has thus progressed just enough for us to enjoy the luxury of sunblock made exclusively for the face!
I think one of the more popular ones would be "L'oreal UV Perfect Fluid Protector SPF 50" sunscreen because it's been around for ages and is available everywhere you look. I've tried the tester product on my hands a few times when I'm at the pharmacy, but it didnt really drive me to buy a whole full-sized product.
This is where I show you, how effective a tool samples can be.
I was cleaning up my make-up stash one fine day when I came across 2 tiny sample bottles that I'd set aside for a rainy (or in this case, sunny. hur hur) day.
They're like magic beans. Except, they're bottles.
2 little sample bottles of the Biore UV products. One is "Biore UV Perfect Milk" and the other is the "Biore UV Perfect Face Milk". Both products look almost alike, but I decided to go with the face-specific one and see how it works for me. Both are SPF 50+ and PA+++ (not too sure what the "+" are for, but the more the merrier right?) and are broad-spectrum sunscreens so they protect against UVA and UVB rays.
I am so glad I decided to clean up my make-up stash because that's how I found the perfect sunscreen for my face!
I've tried a few face-specific sunscreens before and I always had the same problem - they leave an obvious white cast on my face. And I get all greasy like a bad burger a short while later. Good for my skin, not so good for my vanity.
The "Biore UV Perfect Face Milk", is a light milky (duh) liquid that goes on smoothly and dries to a matte finish, which is exactly what I needed. Matte is king!! Say it with me now! The label says it's suitable as a make-up base too, so that's a plus point (though I always use a primer anyway). There wasn't a visible white sheen to my face, but it did brighten up my skin a bit because of the sebum absorbing powder as one of it's ingredients. No intense greasing up too.
The small sample bottle lasted me (with daily use on my face and neck) for about 3 weeks and when I knew it had stolen my heart like a prince with a box of doughnuts, I went to the nearest pharmacy and bought the full-sized one.
My first official facial sunscreen! "Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF 50+ PA+++". Phew what a mouthful!
My hunt is over! I'm still keeping the other small sample bottle which is the "Biore UV Perfect Milk" that's suitable for both face and body, but I'm a little skeptical of using something that's suitable for my body as well on my face because it might clog up my pores.
Won't be tossing the empty sample bottles too because they're perfect for travelling and I can just transfer some sunscreen from the full-sized bottle.
Another facial sunscreen that I managed to try is the "Garnier UV Protect Advanced Daily UV Blocking Lotion SPF 50 PA+++". I didn't pay for this of course. The full-sized bottle came free with a magazine a few months ago :P
"Garnier UV Protect Advanced Daily UV Blocking Lotion SPF 50 PA+++" in case you missed it the first time.
Unlike it's Biore counterpart, Garnier's UV Protect has a few variants like purple for dullness, beige for a slight tint and plain normal white. The main difference for me is that while Biore's formula is light and liquid-y, Garnier's was slightly thicker in consistency, almost foundation-like.
Both offer pretty much the same level of sun protection, but upon application, my face was a little greasy with Garnier's and it had that typical sticky sunblock feeling that I dread. Biore's matte finish was most welcome.
For comparison: Garnier UV Protect on the left (beige) and Biore UV Perfect on the right (white).
The good thing about Garnier's beige tinted sunscreen is that it does offer slight coverage if you're the sort who doesn't need much foundation (I hate you, whoever you are) for going out.
Personally, if you have dry skin and need something a little more moisturising, go for Garnier UV Protect. If it's combination-oily skin that haunts you, Biore UV Perfect should be great. On the same note, L'oreal has just released a new version called "L'oreal UV Perfect Matte SPF 30" (why did they lower the SPF count?) which promises a more matte finish compared to it's previous formula.
Now that I've become more disciplined about sunscreen application on my face, it's time to get started on protecting the rest of my body! I keep forgetting to apply sunblock on my arms and legs before I leave the house. And get David to start using sunscreen. Seriously. Guys need to start tossing out that old-fashioned thinking that skincare is just for the ladies and look after themselves too.
Remember, sun damage and wrinkles do not discriminate.
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