The Importance of SPF skin care
Unless you are stuck for eternity in an underground cave, your skin is going to be exposed to the sun and UV rays in your daily life. Over time, UV rays cause unbelievable damage and aging to your skin. The best defense against this type of damage is a good SPF product.
SPF, a.k.a. Sun Protection Factor, is the measurement of protection against the sun's UV rays. The number is the amount of UV required to produce a sunburn on protected skin as opposed to unprotected skin. An SPF 25 sunscreen will protect the skin against 25 times the exposure of UV rays than if you weren't wearing any sunscreen at all.
The Importance of SPF
Exposure to the sun's UV rays is the number one cause of damage and aging to the skin. Anytime you are exposed to the sun, you are in contact with UVA and UVB rays, including cloudy days an driving in the car. Over time, these rays cause wrinkling - a rough, leathery appearance, and even skin cancer.
Currently, sunscreen products containing a recommended SPF rating of 15 or above play an important role in helping diminish the harm of the sun's rays.
Myths about SPF
- Higher number sunscreens will protect skin all day. The larger number SPFs do protect you from more UV rays, but they still have to be reapplied like the smaller number sunscreens.
- The SPF number times the length of time before you get a sunburn without sunscreen is how effective your SPF product is. The truth is everyone reacts differently to their surroundings, weather conditions, and sun exposure. Therefore, your product may not work as well for you as it does for your neighbor.
- SPF protection is only available in sunblock or sunscreen. Actually, the growing knowledge of the importance of UV ray protection has lead to SPF being included in many different types of products. Most makeup companies have begun to include SPF in almost all of their products from lipgloss to foundation. Other companies have found ways to actually incorporate SPF right into your clothing. That provides an extra layer of protection from head to toe.
- Sunscreen and Sunblock are the same. Sunscreen and sunblock both defend your skin against absorption of deadly UV rays.
- Sunblock is a great line backer. It blocks all of the UV rays that try to penetrate your skin.
- Sunscreen is like a sifter. It keeps some of the rays from coming in, but it allows others to filter slowly through.
If you want some exposure for a tan, a sunscreen is your best choice. If you are fair skinned and want no exposure to the sun, sunblock is your best choice. Either choice will still need to be applied every 2 hours for consistent protection.
Whether you are outdoors working all day or only out when you drive, it is vitally important for your skin to incorporate an SPF product into your skin care regimen. | 
