Here's another way to think about all this: As a general rule, SPF 15 protects you against 93 percent of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97 percent, and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent of UVB rays.
Regular daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen can reduce your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by about 40 percent, and lower your melanoma risk by 50 percent. Help prevent premature skin aging caused by the sun, including wrinkles, sagging and age spots.
SPF explained
SPF describes how long it would take your skin to burn with sunscreen instead of without it. For example, if it would take your bare skin 10 minutes to burn, SPF 15 should increase that by 15 times. That means it will prevent sunburn for up to 150 minutes.
"Pigmented skin types – those which rarely burn and tan easily – usually Asian or black skin – are relatively more protected than fair skin types from UV radiation due to melanin. Therefore, wearing a sunscreen with SPF 15-30 is likely to be sufficient."
Do You Need to Wear Sunscreen Indoors? The short answer is yes. As Green mentioned, UV rays can pass through glass windows. Because of this, it's important to wear SPF inside your home, as well as inside your car.
"For Indian skin, any sunscreen containing SPF 15 and above is preferred. The difference between SPF 15 and 50 is minimal. Sunscreens with higher SPF ratings block slightly more UVB rays, but none offers 100 percent protection," she said.
A great choice for sensitive and acne-prone complexions, The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF15 with Antioxidants is made with Tasmanian Pepperberry to calm stressed out skin, and non-comedogenic (non-pore-blocking) silicones for a silky, lightweight feel.
Here's another way to think about all this: As a general rule, SPF 15 protects you against 93 percent of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97 percent, and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent of UVB rays. Higher than SPF 50 won't offer you any significant extra protection—if anything, it just gives people a false sense of security.
What SPF is best for dark skin? The dermatologists we consulted recommend a minimum of SPF 30 — as does the American Academy of Dermatology. However, Henry recommends you apply SPF 50 if you're outside for more than an hour.
For many people, regularly wearing water-resistant sunscreen—which they choose over non-water resistant formulas to hold up to summertime heat and sweat—can cause clogged pores, bumps, and breakouts.
Does sunscreen lighten skin? Sunscreen deactivates UV radiation and therefore protects the skin from its damage. As a result of reduced production of melanin – the darkening pigment, the skin tone becomes lighter over time.
“Certain sunscreens contain chemicals that can irritate your skin, making it more susceptible to acne breakouts,” she begins. Such active ingredients tend to be comedogenic (aka pore-clogging), which Dr. Green says may lead to the development of comedones or pustular acne.
SPF works by extending your skin's natural defenses against the sun's rays. For example, an SPF of 15 provides about 15 times more protection than just your normal skin without sunscreen. An SPF of 50, then, would provide 50 times more protection than skin without sunscreen.
The lighter your skin, the more easily it will get burned by the sun's UV rays. However, all skin types can get sun burned and suffer damage from UV rays. Therefore, dermatologists recommend that everyone use sunscreen of at least SPF 30.
Lotions and sun-guards containing SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 20 to 35 are suitable for Indian skin types. The rays of the sun affect fair complexion easily. Lotions having SPF 30 is the best for people having a fair or wheatish complexion.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends SPF 15 every day you leave your house and SPF 30 if you plan to be in the sun most of the day.
Experts say sunscreens with an SPF higher than 50 aren't worth buying. They only offer marginally better protection. They might also encourage you to stay out in the sun longer. Instead, choose an SPF between 15 and 50, apply liberally, and reapply often.
"SPF 15 protects against 93 percent of UVB rays, SPF 30 protects against 97 percent, and SPF 50 is about 98 percent," says Sejal Shah, a dermatologist in New York City. In other words, you get double the sun exposure when you opt for SPF 15 instead of SPF 30.
So, does sunscreen help acne? Yes! In addition to protecting your skin from UV rays—including reducing exposure to free radicals which correlate to worse acne—and signs of aging, sunscreen can also help your skin. In fact, sunscreen can actually help treat uneven skin and reduce skin redness.
This is because these chemicals are built to react with UV rays and turn into infrared radiation, which these then try to disperse as heat. Hence, rosacea or irritation-prone skin which is already red, hot, and angry, is triggered by this.
Sunscreen Helps Prevent Scarring and Discoloration
Discoloration and acne scars, also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, are common after-effects for those with acne-prone skin. Garshick says it's especially important to use sunscreen daily so that these skin concerns don't worsen.
If the sunscreen you wear stresses your skin (some chemical sunscreens can do this), it may cause skin darkening. Secondly, if you use sunscreen that has hormonally-active ingredients (like oxybenzone), it can cause hormonal skin darkening.
Many people only have their sunscreen handy during the summer months, but you need to wear sunscreen everyday whether it's sunny or cloudy. It is really important to remember to wear your sunscreen every day or you may be putting your skin at risk.
Sunscreen may prevent tanning to some degree. Dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen every single day — and for good reason. Wearing a chemical- or physical-based sunscreen may help prevent the sun's rays from causing photoaging and skin cancer.
Does sunscreen reduce tan? There is a number of tan removal treatments and medications. Yes, Sunscreen is a key part for pigmentation but only and only a sunscreen cannot help you to reduce pigmentation. You have to use medications and some treatments according to your skin type.