The Ultimate Guide to SPF: Protecting Your Skin With Üazú Skincare

Why SPF Matters

Sun Protection Factor, also known as SPF, is one of the most important components of your daily routine. While many people view their skin as just another cog in the beautification machine, the skin acts as an external protective barrier for the rest of your internal organs. If this protective barrier is compromised, so are the vital organs that are necessary for your survival. Your skin is more than just another aspect of what you look like; it’s what keeps you alive and healthy.

 

What is SPF?

According to the National Library of Medicine, “Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a measurement that is used in the ratings of sunscreens.” The number associated with the SPF correlates with the number of potentially harmful UV rays it protects your skin from. 

Some sunscreens include chemically derived sun-protective factors, but most sunscreens contain mineral-derived ingredients: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.

While it is unclear that zinc oxide is toxic to individuals when applied to only the skin, it is known to be hazardous to marine life and ecosystems such as coral reefs. Even though zinc oxide itself may not be toxic when used on the skin as directed, some sources convey that when mixed with other variables and exposed to UV rays, the sunscreen could cause harmful byproducts (Lundeberg 2021). For this reason, it's important to choose a formula that specifically labels itself as containing Non-Nano Zinc rather than those with smaller particles. 

 

Why is SPF-50 Ideal?

SPF 30 is not ineffective, but there are differences between an SPF 30 and an SPF 50 when choosing what is best for you.

This graph from The British Journal of Dermatology shows that all sunscreen protects you from the sun, but the difference lies in how the photons from the UV rays are handled. With a higher SPF, the UV rays are almost completely filtered out, allowing for little exposure.

Time also plays an important factor in SPF values – the higher the SPF, the longer it takes to accumulate a sunburn.

 

Why SPF Should be a Part of Your Daily Routine

Just because you can’t see the sun, such as on a cloudy day, doesn’t mean that the sun’s rays don’t see you. This is the main time for people to attain unintentional sun exposure.

On the surface level, sun exposure and sunburns are one of the main causes of premature aging, causing sun spots, wrinkles, and fine lines. On a deeper level, too much sun exposure can lead to melanoma, a form of skin cancer attributed to UV vulnerability from natural and artificial sources.

 

Debunking Myths

“I can’t get sun damage in the winter”

If you can see the sun, then the sun’s rays are still there. While some rays might be weaker in the winter, others remain just as strong as in the summer. You might not get a sunburn, but you are still getting sun exposure.

“I don’t burn, I just tan”

Tanning is not resistance against sun damage – it’s the opposite. When you tan, your body is telling you that you are getting too much sun and is trying to protect your skin from damage. Your tan is just evidence of the damage that has already started.

“I won’t get enough Vitamin D if I wear sunscreen”

Sunscreen does not protect your skin from all UV rays. Your skin is likely to still receive some Vitamin D from sun exposure through the small percentages sunscreen can’t block (the only amount you really need).

“If my sunscreen is waterproof, I don’t need to reapply after getting wet”

Waterproof or water resistant does not mean permanent. It also does not prevent sunscreen disruption from water, sweat, towel-drying, and contact with other objects. Sunscreen should typically be applied more regularly if you are sweating or in contact with water.

“If I have dark skin, I don’t need sunscreen”

Melanin DOES offer some additional protection against harmful UV rays, but it does not prevent damage. Skin cancer, premature aging, and hyperpigmentation still widely occur in individuals with darker skin tones. 

 

Application

According to American Academy of Dermatology, you should apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before sun exposure; this is how long it takes for your skin to properly absorb the sun protection. 

On your body, the recommended amount of sunscreen you should apply is about an ounce every two hours. This is equivalent to the amount it takes to fill a shot glass, and it should cover every section of your body that could potentially be exposed to UV rays. 

If you are sweating or swimming, you should be applying sunscreen more regularly, every hour to hour and a half. This is because UV rays are enhanced by reflective surfaces such as water, and it is more likely to rinse or wipe off.

 

Why Üazú Skincare's SPF 50 Stands Out

Üazú Skincare’s SPF 50 offers broad-spectrum protection as well as SPF 50 strength. This means that it blocks out both of the two types of harmful UV rays and prevents quick sunburn accumulation. 

Typically, after a long day in the sun, you would want to lather your body in lotion to re-moisturize exposed skin. Our sunscreen offers a 2-in-1 benefits for users – it protects your skin while hydrating it at the same time with ingredients such as jojoba seed oil, vitamin C, and Vitamin E. 

Our SPF is a clean and conscious formulation, being reef-safe, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free. This is because we use non-nano zinc in our formula, rather than zinc oxide, reducing the risk of toxicity when exposed to the sun. When swimming in the ocean, many chemicals in sunscreen can damage ecosystems, especially when you think about the amount of concentrated people swimming in the same areas. Üazú’s SPF 50 works to rebuild ocean ecosystems through a safe and natural formulation. 

 

 

References:

Lundeberg, S. (2021, October 14). OSU study: After two hours, sunscreen that incudes zinc oxide loses effectiveness, becomes toxic. Newsroom. https://news.oregonstate.edu/news/osu-study-after-two-hours-sunscreen-includes-zinc-oxide-loses-effectiveness-becomes-toxic

Osterwalder, U. Herzog, B. (2009, November 01). Sun protection factors: world wide confusion. British Journal of Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09506.x

Sharad, P. (2019, September 04). Ensuring the Safety of Sunscreens, and Their Efficacy in Preventing Skin Cancers: Challenges and Controversies for Clinicians, Formulators, and Regulators. frontiers. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2019.00195

Vanthomme, G. Bramlet Blackburn, K. (2024, May 31). 9 sunscreen myths debunked. MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/sunscreen-myths-debunked.h00-159697545.html

(2024, May 02). How To Apply Sunscreen. American Academy of Dermatology Association. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/how-to-apply-sunscreen

Sun protection 101: essential tips from Cancer Council for UV safety - 10 facts about sun protection by Cancer Council. Cancer Council. https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/10-myths-about-sun-protection