What is SPF &
How often should it be applied?
What Is a
Good Sunscreen?
Finding the right sunscreen can feel overwhelming with so many options available. A good sunscreen effectively protects your skin from harmful UV rays while fitting your unique needs and lifestyle. Look for these key features:
Broad-Spectrum Protection: Shields against both UVA and UVB rays, responsible for sunburn, premature ageing, and skin damage.
SPF 30 or Higher: Blocks about 97% of UVB rays; ideal for daily use or extended outdoor exposure (as long as you apply it regularly).
Water Resistance: Ensures longer-lasting protection during outdoor activities or in humid conditions.
Gentle, Non-Greasy, or Non-Comedogenic Formulas: Essential for sensitive or blemish-prone skin to limit the risk of irritation or breakouts.
Choosing
the Right SPF
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures how well a sunscreen protects your skin from UVB rays. Here is how you can select the right one:
Remember, no sunscreen is 100% effective, so reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. While some skincare products have SPF 15 or 30, it's always best to apply a sunscreen that contains SPF 30 or above for optimal protection.
How to Choose
Sunscreen for Your Skin Type
Your skin type plays a key role in deciding the ideal sunscreen. Here is a quick breakdown to help you:
Sensitive Skin: Go for fragrance-free sunscreens specially formulated for sensitive skin and dermatologically tested for tolerance. This can help you avoid irritation.
Oily and Combination Skins: Choose a lightweight, non-greasy, gel-based, or mattifying sunscreen to control shine without clogging pores. For combination skin, look for formulas that balance hydration and control oil so that the drier areas stay moisturised without increasing oiliness in the T-Zone.
Dry Skin: Look for more nourishing sunscreens with hydrating ingredients like Glycerin or Hyaluronic Acid to keep your skin moisturised.
Blemish-prone skin: Choose non-greasy, non-comedogenic sunscreens that moisturise without clogging pores; Niacinamide-containing products, such as NIVEA's Derma Skin Clear products containing solar filters, can help protect your skin from UV damage while supporting healthy-looking skin.
Sun-Allergic Skin: Even on cloudy days, apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen for sensitive skin with an SPF of at least 30. Use at least a shot glass-sized amount (about 30 ml) for your entire body, and reapply every two hours, or more often if you are swimming or sweating. Use an SPF of at least 50 when the sky is clear, and avoid exposure to the sun between 10 am and 4 pm.
How Do I Choose
Sunscreen for My Face?
The skin on your face is more delicate and often has specific concerns like blemishes, dryness, or sensitivity. Here is what you should consider:
- Non-Greasy Formulas: Make sure your sunscreen layers well under makeup without clogging pores.
- Lightweight Texture: For a comfortable, breathable feel throughout the day.
- Targeted Benefits: Look for sunscreens that address your specific concerns, such as anti-ageing or blemish control.
Choosing a
Sunscreen for Your Body
When it comes to the skin on your body, this large surface area needs a product that can cover different needs and preferences.
Here is what you should consider when selecting a sunscreen for your body:
- Hydration:Consider moisturising ingredients to keep your skin hydrated and prevent dryness caused by sun exposure, such as Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera and Shea butter.
- Sweat/water resistance:A more durable, water-resistant formula ensures lasting protection, especially during swimming or outdoor activities. However, it is always advisable to reapply after swimming, perspiring or towelling off.
- Easy application:Depending on your needs, you can find body sunscreens in sprays, lotions, or sticks for quick, convenient and effortless coverage.
- Large surface area:As your body needs substantial coverage, look for formulas that allow for smooth and even application across broad areas like the arms, legs, and back.
- Protection against sunburn and long-term UV damage:Broad-spectrum protection helps shield your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, reducing the risk of sunburn and premature skin ageing induced by UV rays.
- Light texture and non-greasy:With modern formulations, you can enjoy body sunscreens that offer fast absorption and a lightweight feeling that doesn't leave a sticky residue.
- Acts as a moisture and protection layer:Some formulations include added skin-nourishing ingredients that help retain moisture while creating a protective barrier against environmental stressors.
Facts Overview
What Makes a Good Sunscreen?
A quality sunscreen should offer broad-spectrum protection, SPF 30 or higher, while being suitable for your skin type. Its efficacy and skin tolerance must have been dermatologically tested.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Sunscreen
Think about your skin type, your texture preference (lightweight or creamy), and your lifestyle needs (for example, water resistance for outdoor activities or non-greasy formulas for daily wear).
Why Is Broad-Spectrum Protection Important?
Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA (premature ageing) and UVB (sunburn) rays, ensuring comprehensive skin defence.
For sun care ahead of its time, NIVEA has developed the NIVEA Sun Protect & Moisture Invisible Finish SPF 50+. This sun lotion with antioxidant Vitamin C and moisturising Hyaluronic Acid provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.
This sunscreen offers reliable sun protection and the moisturisation you need for an all-round skin care product. With the NIVEA Sun Protect & Moisture Invisible Finish SPF 50+, you can now experience:
- A fast-absorbing, lightweight, and moisturising sunscreen, without any stickiness or white residues.
- Immediate and water-resistant protection while providing your skin with intense hydration.
- A reduction in oxidative stress at cellular level (tested in vitro)
While some sunscreens offer treatment for specific skin concerns, you may still prefer to use a serum that works well under make-up while protecting your skin from UV rays.
That's why the NIVEA SUN 2in1 Primer Daily UV Serum SPF 50+ is a great choice for you – its formula combines advanced skin protection and care in a light, fast-absorbing primer serum. Ideal for use as a make-up primer, it hydrates and smoothens your skin while offering protection against UVA/UVB rays and premature ageing induced by UV rays.
This innovative formula contains antioxidant Licochalcone A and offers a smoothness effect thanks to the presence of two types of Hyaluronic Acid:
- Long-chain Hyaluronic Acid – binds water on the skin's surface for moisturisation.
- Short-chain Hyaluronic Acid – penetrates more deeply into the epidermis to favour Hyaluronan production (in vitro tested).
Designed to protect blemish-prone skin from UV rays, especially if your skin's sensitivity is increased due to exfoliating treatments. With SPF 50+, it shields your skin effectively, offering an 8-hour* matte effect for a shine-free finish. The ultralight formula absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue. With Carnitine, Glycerin, and Niacinamide, it helps to reduce blemishes for clear, healthy-looking skin.
*Instrumental test, 35 volunteers
A high-protection sunscreen designed for blemish-prone skin, combining effective sun protection with the benefits of Niacinamide. This formula helps to prevent clogged pores while protecting your skin from premature ageing and sun-induced damage.
Top Tips
When Using Sunscreen
To get the most out of your sun protection, here are some simple ways you can make your sun care routine even more effective.
- Apply before getting dressed:Make sure your body gets full coverage and sun protection. Cover all parts of your body that are likely to be exposed to the sun. Let the product absorb completely before getting dressed, to avoid the cream transferring to your clothing, and prefer loose-fitting clothes.
- Reapply often:Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours for consistent protection.
- Give attention to all areas:While applying sunscreen to your face and body, make sure to apply it to the often-overlooked areas like the ears, feet, the back of your hands and the neck.
- Check expiry dates:Expired sunscreen loses its effectiveness, so replace it regularly, at the latest one year after opening.
- Also use sun protection indoors:UVA rays can penetrate windows, so daily application is essential if you spend time near a window.
Summary
A good sunscreen doesn’t only rely on SPF; it’s about finding a formula that offers broad-spectrum protection, suits your skin type, and fits your lifestyle. To choose the right sunscreen for you, you’ll need to find the right SPF (30 or higher), check for water resistance if necessary, and listen to your specific skin needs, whether it’s sensitive, oily, or dry. Reapplication, checking expiration dates, and considering daily use, even indoors, are very important to maximise the protection of your skin against UV rays.
