7 Misconceptions About Face and Body Sunscreen That Needs to Be Change

1

Q: You only need to apply sunscreen when you are out in the sun or on a vacation but it is unnecessary if you are just staying in your house.

“You don’t have to apply face or body sunscreen and waste it if you are staying in”; is a misconception that has been around for a long time. Did you know that you are also exposed to UV rays even if you stay indoors? It can find its way in through the window and induce your skin, causing premature skin ageing. Your phone, tablet, and computer screen, as well as lighting in your home also emits infrared and blue light that can damage your skin. This is the case even if you are just sitting around in your house, where it can silently induce dull skin and cause premature skin ageing. 

So even if you are indoors or in the shade, it is important to protect your skin with face and body sunscreen. Just make sure to choose a light textured one to match your daily activities.

2

Q: Applying only a small amount of sunscreen can also provide the same level of protection.

Face and body sunscreen act as a shield that protects your skin from the harm that sunlight can cause. Applying only a limited amount of sunscreen might weaken the amount of protection and diminish its efficacy. Thus, it is time for you to change this misconception and start using the right amount of sunscreen.
The most suitable amount is 2 milligrams per 1 square centimetre of the skin. Alternatively, you can use the 2 fingers method to measure the appropriate amount by squeezing 2 strips of sunscreen on your middle and index finger and applying it all over your face. However, if your skin gets too oily, acne appears, or the sunscreen appears to be too white for your skin after use, that particular sunscreen might not be the right one. It is recommended that you should find a sunscreen that is suitable for your skin type or a sun serum that has a lighter texture.

3

Q: Anyone with oily skin should not use sunscreen as it can cause acne problems.

For many people with acne problems or oily skin, applying sunscreen may be a cause of concern due to the misconceptions about how sunscreen can result in oilier skin that eventually clogs up your pores, leading to acne problems. When in fact, using a suitable sunscreen for your skin type can help reduce acne problems, acne scars, dark spots, blemishes and freckles as sunscreen protects your skin from sunlight that can induce skin problems.

4

Q: It is enough to apply sunscreen on the exposed area of your skin

We believe that 90% of people have the habit of applying sunscreen only to exposed areas of their skin. As most of them believe that their clothes can protect them against sunlight and consider sunscreen unnecessary for areas under their clothes. However, this is another misconception about sunscreens that should be corrected.
Clothes can indeed protect the skin against sunlight, but only to a certain extent. This is because some UV rays can penetrate through your clothes and cause harm to your skin. Therefore, it is important to apply sunscreen all over your body, especially on areas that many may neglect such as your ears, behind your neck, arms, and legs.

5

Q: Applying your sunscreen only once in the morning is enough to protect your skin throughout the day.

In reality, once you apply sunscreen, it can protect your skin for 7-8 hours depending on the SPF you have chosen. However, exposure to pollution, water droplets, or your own sweat can wash the sunscreen away and eventually weakens its protection. As a result, normal sunscreens are not able to provide lasting protection throughout the day.
Therefore, it is recommended that you apply more sunscreen to your face during the day or choose a water-based sunscreen for long-lasting protection.

6

Q: Choose a sunscreen with high SPF and PA for lasting protection.

It is true that sunscreen with high SPF and PA value can provide better and longer lasting protection for your skin. However, for someone that spends most of their time indoors, using a product with unnecessary high SPF and PA can lead to skin irritation in the long run. Also, it might not provide the all-day protection that some might expect.
Therefore if you are looking for lasting protection, we recommend choosing a water-based sunscreen that is suitable for your skin type and has an optimal SPF and PA value suited to your daily activities.

7

Q: Sunscreen can improve your skin radiance, and reduce the appearance of melasma, freckles, and dark spots.

The purpose of sunscreen is to protect your skin from sunlight that can lead to dull and damaged skin, melasma, freckles, dark spots, or premature skin ageing. Applying sunscreen regularly and correctly, along with using skincare products that directly tackle other skin problems can clearly provide positive results for your skin.
Therefore, sunscreen itself cannot directly improve your skin radiance or reduce the appearance of melasma, freckles, and dark spots as it only supports the efficacy of the skincare that you are using. Thus providing better results for your skin.