Ever wonder why it's cloudy outside but you still feel the sun's rays on your skin? Two letters: UV. UV stands for ultraviolet and is a form of electromagnet energy released by the sun; and the reason you still feel the heat through the clouds. The UV index meter on your weather app can be your best friend before leaving the house because, "over 90% of UV rays can pass through a light cloud cover and cause sunburn." To avoid the nasty sting of a sunburn, here are 5 tips to decide which SPF is best for your skin:
1. Understanding sunscreen SPF numbers
The sunscreen isle can be overwhelming. Between SPF 15, 30, 50, it's never easy to know choose the best SPF for you. Understanding what each of these numbers mean is key to a successful sunscreen purchase. The sun releases two kinds of UV rays: UVA and UVB. The SPF number is the measurement of how much protection your skin will receive from UVB rays.
2. No SPF covers 100% of UV Rays
As you can see in this graphic above, even the highest SPF only covers 99% of UVB rays. However, SPF does not tell you how much protection you are receiving from UVA rays. This means that just sunscreen isn't always enough. Other protective accessories are necessary to keep your skin from sunburn. This includes sunglasses, hats, umbrellas, and full length clothing. Whether you're going to the beach, getting your tan on, or even just for a run outside, always keeping some extra protection handy won't hurt.
3. Knowing how long sunscreen lasts
Applying sunscreen first thing in the morning and expecting full coverage all day can lead to unexpected sun burn. Experts say that it takes at least 30 minutes for sunscreen to kick in and to reapply every 2 hours. It is especially important to reapply after swimming, even if your sunscreen is waterproof.
4. Understanding your skin type
If tanning isn't your thing, because you know you'll burn, using a strong SPF is very important. If your skin is sun sensitive, it's best to keep the numbers high. If your skin can take the heat, or you want to get a nice tan, a lower SPF can do the job. Gauging how long you'll be in the sun is also crucial to knowing which SPF level to use. For short periods of time, SPF 15-30 can be enough. Anything over 2 hours requires SPF 30 or more. The longer you're in the sun, the more SPF you'll need.
5. Use Nöz!
The best SPF tip we can offer is to use Nöz! Not only will you protect your skin, but you'll be saving our planet and doing it in style! Nöz offers a variety of different colors and SPF levels to fit your sun protection needs. Let us fix your SPF needs and make it easy to beat the heat! It doesn't get better than Nöz.