It is very important to keep your skin healthy and glowing. So in order to keep your skin supple, especially during those hot sunny days; you need to stay away from the sunlight, as sun’s radiations brings in two kinds of radiations; the ultra violet(UV) and the infra red(IR) radiations, too much of exposure to these rays can cause your skin to tan or burn. Basically the UV radiations are the one which causes wrinkle to your skin and it is also believed that they can cause skin cancer. How to protect your skin from these harmful radiations of the sun?

You can use sunscreen creams or lotions that carry the ‘Sun Protecting Factor Rating System" also called as SPF. This protecting agent was introduced into sunscreens lotions or creams in 1978 to prevent sun burns. If you expose your skin to the sun for 10 minutes without the sunscreen protection, you’re skin will turn pink, but if you are using a sun screen protection, it will take 20 minutes. This also depends upon the type of skin being exposed. If your skin is fairer, then your skin will be affected sooner and darker the skin, the melanin pigment acts as a natural blocker, and provides you a better protection from the sun.

The SPF numbers actually indicates the percentage of UV rays the cream or lotion blocks. For instance, a product with SPF 2, block about fifty percent of the sun’s rays. Products with SPF 15 can block about ninety three percent of the radiations. Products with SPF 30 can block nearly ninety seven percent of the radiations. Hence the more SPFs, the more protection you get. But you need to keep in mind that, no sunscreen creams or lotions can give you hundred percent protection from the harmful UV radiations, so always be under a shade and also wear a cap and shades.

Ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium in these creams act like a curtain barrier reflecting the sun’s radiations like a mirror; this is why they are called ‘Physical blocks’. Synthetic sun screens like benzophones, salicylates and cinnamates absorb the UV radiations, rather reflecting it. If you have a sensitive skin, then choose only sunscreens that have physical blocks to prevent skin reactions. You can even try sweat and water resistant creams with vitamins like E and C which nourishes your skin, removes wrinkles and protect against skin cancer.