How to Care For Your Skin in the Sun

One if the things I love about Singapore is that you can always count on the weather. You don't appreciate our scorching sun as much until you travel to places which are literally .... grey. And no, not in the fifty shades kind of way. However, even with our glorious sun shiny days, I'm always mindful about sun care.... because yeah it's all fun in the sun until one day your skin looks like leather!

Neutrogena is the #1 Dermatologist-recommended brand in the USA in the Over-the-Counter (OTC) skincare category. Defintely a brand I trust and have been using for many years now. Neutrogena has a wide range of cleansers, make-up removers, moisturizers and whitening solutions too. 

For sun care right now, I'm using the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 50+ PA+++, 80g and the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer UV Waterlight SPF 50+ PA+++, 30 ml.

To protect skin from the harmful effects of UV light, Neutrogena has introduced the revolutionary Helioplex™ technology that contains FDA-approved sunscreens covering the full UVA and UVB spectrum.

Though many sunscreens offer protection from UVA rays, this protection starts to break down when your skin is exposed to the sun. Helioplex™ prevents this from happening by stabilizing UVA protection so that even under highly intensive sunlight, you can be assured that your sun protection does its job more effectively over a longer period of time (up to 5 – 6 hours).

While choosing a sunscreen, it is important to make sure that it offers long-lasting, stable protection against both UVA and UVB rays. The Sun Protection factor (SPF) and the PA rating measures the protection against UVB rays and UVA rays respectively.

1. Sun Protection factor (SPF)
This is a number (e.g. 30, 50, etc). It measures how long you can stay in the sun without the sunscreen before getting burned. For example – Applying a sunscreen with SPF 30 means it will take 30 minutes longer for your skin to get burn. SPF protection alone is not enough as it measures the protection against the sunburn caused by UVB rays only – not UVA.

2. PA rating
A sunscreen with a PA rating means it blocks UVA rays. The more the “+” signs it has, the higher the UVA protection. (The most “+” signs a sunscreen can have is 3). Protection against UVA rays is important because UVA rays have a longer wavelength and they penetrate deeper into the skin, contributing to premature aging and skin cancer.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch is suitable for both your face and body. It has SPF50+ and a PA rating of +++ (which is the maximum possible UVA protection).  

I use this when I swim or when I'm going to be out in the sun for a long time. Always apply our sunscreen before you head out in the sun, 15 to 30 minutes before is perfect. It gets absorbed pretty quickly and doesn't have any unpleasant 'sunblocky' type smell. After an hour or so in the water (or if I'm perspiring heavily), I think it's a good idea to reapply. I've never had a sunburn since!

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer UV Waterlight also has the same SPF and PA rating, offering you full protection. However, this product is especially for your face. As it's name suggests, it is very very light (heavy on protection but light in texture). It's perfect for use under your make up as it doesn't have a heavy or grimey feel. It feels more like a moisturising lotion than it does a sun block!

Did You Know?
• Protecting your skin during the first 18 years of life can reduce the risk of some types of skin cancer by up to 78%.
• Severe sunburn during the first 15 years of life can double the risk of skin cancer.
• You can get sun damaged even on a cloudy day! Up to 80% of the sun’s rays can penetrate light clouds, mist, and fog. So even on the days where it's not that hot and sunny, you should still protect your skin!

Head to your nearest Watsons, NTUC, Guardian, or Unity to check out sun care products from Neutrogena. If you would like to try a sample first, head to Neutrogena SG Facebook page and PM them for a free sample. Don't forget to LIKE their page  :)
 

Beauty begins with healthy skin. Stop whining about the Singapore heat, protect your skin... and enjoy it! :)