We believe there's nothing better for the body and soul than spending time outdoors soaking up vitamin D! And while we love the sun, there are always precautions to take. Whether you're worried about sunburn, skin cancer or premature signs of aging, the best solution is always to use a good sunscreen.
How exactly does sunscreen protect our skin, how do we choose the formula best suited to our needs, and do we need different sunscreens for different members of our family? We round things up for you!
Kids spend a lot more time outdoors than adults - so much so that half of their lifetime exposure to the sun occurs before they're 18. This means that protecting them from the sun is an absolute must. Not surprisingly, manufacturers are taking advantage of this to offer sunscreens "specially formulated for children", which are often sold at a higher price.
But do children really need children's sunscreen? The short answer is NO. Sunscreens for babies and children generally contain the same active ingredients as the adult versions, but in cuter packaging!
Generally speaking, one sunscreen is enough for the whole family! Your child will be no better protected with an SPF 30 sunscreen for babies than with an SPF 30 sunscreen for adults if both contain the same active ingredients. Always start by testing a small area on your child's skin to make sure he or she doesn't develop a rash or other reaction.
For babies under 6 months, we recommend adopting sun protection practices rather than using sunscreen. Keep your child out of the sun by covering him or her with clothes, light blankets and hats. Also, it's important to use a stroller with an umbrella. Once your child is 6 months old, you can start using sunscreen.
There are two types of sunscreen: mineral and chemical.
Mineral sunscreen ingredients (such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) block and reflect rays like a shield before they can penetrate the skin. On the other hand, chemical sunscreen ingredients (such as avobenzone and octisalate) absorb UV rays like a sponge, converting them into heat and releasing them from the body before they can damage the skin.
Both types offer effective sun protection. However, people with sensitive skin are advised to use a mineral sunscreen, as it creates a physical barrier between the skin and the sun's rays.
Whereas back in the day, Coppertone was as synonymous with sunscreen as Kleenex was with tissues, there are now more sunscreen suppliers than ever, offering a variety of products to suit every need. Where to begin to find the right sunscreen for you?
There are different options: cream, stick or spray. All three offer good protection. However, if you do choose spray sunscreen, make sure you apply it in a covered, wind-free area, otherwise it may be hard to apply and most of it will be lost in the wind. Whatever you use, the most important thing is to apply enough sunscreen and reapply it regularly.
Remember that the sun emits two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays: ultraviolet A rays (UVA), which are responsible for the visible signs of aging, and ultraviolet B rays (UVB), which are responsible for sunburn and skin cancer. For protection against both types of UV rays, look for a broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen.
Of course, one of the best-known criteria for sunscreens is their sun protection factor (SPF). But which one to choose? Dermatologists recommend the following:
The difference between SPFs is actually quite small. According to Verdict santé, SPF indicates a sunscreen's ability to protect you against UVB rays, the major cause of sunburn. Be careful, though: doubling your SPF does not double your sun protection. SPF 15 blocks 93% of the sun's UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks 97%. Above SPF 30, the increase in protection is more meagre. SPF 50 increases protection to 98%, while SPF 60 protects up to 98.3%.
Yes, sunscreen can expire - even if you've never opened the bottle.
Although many products label their expiration date on the bottle, this is not always the case. In such cases, you should write the date of purchase directly on the bottle. Generally speaking, a good sunscreen lasts about 3 years.
You can continue to use expired sunscreen up to 6 months after its expiration date. However, expired sunscreen is not as effective and may lead to sunburn or other skin damage.
Beyond the expiration date, expired or improperly stored sunscreen will show certain signs, including a change in colour, fragrance and texture, even after shaking well (mineral sunscreens should always be shaken well before being applied).
Here are a few tips on how to store your sunscreen properly:
Using sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun is fantastic!
But don't rely solely on it. To limit the dangers of UV rays, we strongly recommend avoiding direct exposure to the sun, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when rays are at their strongest. Cover up! Wear a hat, clothes and sunglasses. Reserve your sunscreen for areas of your body exposed to the sun.
If you have questions about sunscreen or skin care, the Bonjour-santé membership gives you all the tools you need! You have unlimited access to e-consults with our teams of nurses and pharmacists who can advise you and answer your questions. You also have access to a revolutionary AI-based dermatological analysis tool; all you have to do is upload a few photos of your skin condition to get practical information and advice.
