[Spot! Health] Various Sunscreens, How to Find the Right Product for My Skin

Prioritize Products Blocking Both UVA and UVB
Formulations Vary Greatly... Creams for Dry Skin, Lotions for Oily Skin
Use Cautiously for Infants Aged 6 Months to Under 2 Years
UV Exposure Causes Skin Aging and Increases Skin Cancer Risk

Stock photo of sunscreen.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Consecutive heatwaves and scorching sunlight have raised alarms for outdoor activities. Especially under the hot sun, people can suffer from heat-related illnesses as well as sunburns that cause redness, stinging, and burning sensations on the skin. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause burns and even skin cancer, so it is best to avoid it as much as possible. To block ultraviolet rays, sunscreen, commonly called 'sun cream,' is widely used, but it must be used correctly to be effective.

Products That Block All Types of Ultraviolet Rays Should Be Prioritized Regardless of Type

It is recommended to choose a sunscreen that can block both UVA and UVB rays. The SPF, the first index checked when selecting sunscreen, indicates the degree of protection from UVB rays. PA is the protection rating against UVA rays and is marked as +, ++, or +++ depending on the level. SPF15 blocks 94%, SPF30 blocks 97%, and SPF50 blocks 98% of UVB rays.

Although it seems better to apply SPF50 based on the blocking rate, sunscreen applied once gradually washes off due to sweat and other factors. Therefore, even if you choose a high SPF, it is important to apply a sufficient amount and reapply frequently. Generally, sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going outside and reapplied thoroughly every 2 to 3 hours. Applying half the recommended amount, 1.0㎜/㎠, twice is also effective.

Consider Skin Type, Formulation, and Purpose

For sensitive skin, it is better to use physical blockers without chemical filters, low-irritant products, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic products. Dry skin benefits from cream-type or waterproof types with excellent moisturizing properties, while oily skin is better suited to essence or lotion-type sunscreens with less oiliness. Chemical sunscreens can worsen acne, so it is important to select products that appropriately combine chemical and physical blockers.

An ideal sunscreen is easy to spread evenly on the skin, does not wash off or run after application, and remains only on the skin surface. Consider how wide an area you will apply it to, how evenly it can be spread despite wrinkles or hair, and whether it washes off easily due to sweat or water. Cream-type sunscreens are better than water-soluble types that wash off too easily with sweat. Mixing sunscreen with cream or oil to improve spreadability reduces the blocking effect.

Characteristics of Sunscreen Types. (Data provided by Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital)

Is It Safe for Children to Use? 'From 6 Months and Older'

The younger the child, the more vulnerable they are to ultraviolet damage and sunburn, so it is important to reduce UV exposure and use sunscreen. However, children have thinner skin and a larger surface area relative to their weight, leading to relatively higher absorption and a greater possibility of systemic side effects.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that infants under 6 months avoid UV exposure by wearing hats and clothing, and only use sunscreen if they are 6 months or older. For children aged 6 months to 2 years, it is best to use sunscreens composed only of physical blockers that have low absorption and a low risk of skin irritation or allergies. Among these, products containing titanium dioxide, which is less irritating to skin and mucous membranes, are preferred. Avoid applying near the eyes and use water-resistant products.

Why Avoid Ultraviolet Rays? Causes Skin Aging and Increases Skin Cancer Risk

Ultraviolet rays are known as the most important cause of skin aging and pigment disorders. UV exposure promotes the breakdown of collagen in the skin and stimulates melanocytes that produce pigment, worsening pigment disorders such as melasma. This can be easily understood by recalling the deeply wrinkled faces of elderly people who worked outdoors extensively in their youth, often covered with age spots or dark spots.

While wrinkles and age spots may be considered relatively harmless health-wise, chronic UV exposure increases the risk of skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Professor Kwon Soon-hyo of the Department of Dermatology at Kangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital explained, “UV exposure induces mutations in keratinocytes, leading to skin cancer development.” He added, “Sometimes people intentionally expose themselves to sunlight for vitamin D synthesis, but even in such cases, it is better to expose arms and legs to sunlight while avoiding the face, which is a common site for skin cancer.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.