Summer is here and with schools now on break, many people are going on holiday to visit other countries or looking for activities to do in the UAE to keep the family busy. Whether staying or leaving, everyone is bound to spend time out in the sun, be it for a short period or for hours, with trips to the beach, visiting a coffee house to energise for the day, visiting sights and theme parks or running errands.
However, spending time in the sun can have detrimental effects on the skin. Be it from developing skin cancer to ageing, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, protection against the sun is an important decision to make.
The sun emits harmful Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. UVA rays have a longer wavelength, which causes ageing in the skin while UVB, with shorter wavelengths, leads to sunburn when long hours are spent in the sun.
The harmful UV rays emitted from the sun are the strongest in the afternoon from 10am to 4pm, especially during summer months and it is recommended to not go out and about during these times.
As long hours in the sun are not advised, when outdoors it is crucial to stay in areas with shade, as long hours exposed to the sun can lead to skin ailments.
Additionally, it is recommended to wear protective clothing from the harsh rays. Beach hats cover the head and face, offering protection, and Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) clothing, prevents harmful rays from affecting the body, and helps to prevent sunburn, skin damage and ageing.
Another key method to protect oneself from the harsh UVA and UVB rays is by wearing sunscreen.
While choosing a sunscreen, it is important to look at the Sun Protection Factor (SPF). The higher the SPF level, the more protection offered against harmful rays, with SPF 15 blocking 93% of UVB radiation, SPF 30 providing 97% protection, and SPF 50 blocking 98% of rays.
It is important to use sunscreen not just on the face, but over all the exposed parts of the body, to prevent harmful rays from seeping through the skin barrier.
As the body is prone to getting wet, either from sweating due to the heat or going in and out of pools and beaches, it is vital to keep reapplying sunscreen, as over time, the effects and protection from the sunscreen fade away. Be it while walking outdoors or swimming, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours and individuals should wait 20 minutes after applying it before going out into the sun.
If looking for some amazing sunscreen recommendations, Connector has listed a few that allows people to have fun in the sun, while also staying protected.
Bondi Sands Sunscreen Lotion: The Australian-based brand Bondi Sands, is a great option to check out when looking for sunscreen. The formula is fragrance-free, making it great for people with sensitive skin and is fast absorbing, making it a lightweight product to use during summer. The product also has SPF 50+, which offers higher protection from harmful rays.
https://www.watsons.ae/products/sunscreen-lotion-spf50-fragrance-free-150ml?variant=43812291510516
Bioderma Photoderm SPF50+ Compact: Looking for a product that does not ruin makeup? This compact from Bioderma is a great one to protect against the sun and can also be used to touch up on hot days and evens out the complexion, leaving a radiant glow.
https://www.binsina.ae/en/buy-bioderma-photoderm-spf50-compact-light-colour-10g.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwhJukBhBPEiwAniIcNVi1qsxEdDUJRk6bsUGPWnPHome7afz7kIRdKghroUTDHoVRIslQ8BoCxMoQAvD_BwE
Nivea SPF50 Sun Protection & Moisturising Lotion: The face is not the only part that can get affected by the harmful rays from the sun. The body needs to be protected too and the Nivea sunscreen is a brilliant one that offers up to four hours of protection. The product is also non-drying, leaving the skin moisturised throughout the time spent in the sun.
https://www.lifepharmacy.com/product/nivea-sun-protection-moisturizing-lotion-spf50-200ml?gclid=CjwKCAjwhJukBhBPEiwAniIcNeVr99Z0PGjRkJbI9OD4b6daplgYPmaJi4T3wNonMfaSe7oug-QAaBoCrZUQAvD_BwE
CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick: This sunscreen stick from CeraVe with SPF50 is the perfect one to throw in the bag and carry around to touch up regularly. The product is non-comedogenic which does not block pores, and is fragrance-free. Additionally, it also does not leave a white cast making it easy to reapply while on the go.
https://www.amazon.ae/CeraVe-Sunscreen-Hyaluronic-Ceramides-Fragrance/dp/B00CICLTAI/ref=asc_df_B00CICLTAI/?tag=googleshopp09-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=386288080682&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14624514745588850930&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1000013&hvtargid=pla-570493339395&th=1
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Face Mist SPF50 Sunscreen: At the beach or out and about and need to quickly reapply sunscreen? This La Roche-Posay sunscreen is a brilliant one to use that has SPF50, offering great protection from the sun. The product also has spring water in it, making it lightweight and not leaving the skin feeling heavy.
https://www.binsina.ae/en/la-roche-posay-anthelios-face-mist-spf50-75ml-sunscreen.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwhJukBhBPEiwAniIcNbhxOIBQb415ZB7fj1fhw4QZ3IE3hLa9MqVs_Imi_LFW2tv1e6eJ4xoCwPEQAvD_BwE