Skincare Blog

"I've heard that many people think, "If I cover my face with a mask, the ultraviolet rays won't hit my skin directly, so I'm perfectly protected from the sun. I've heard that many people think that if they cover their face with a mask, the UV rays won't hit their skin directly, so they can take care of their sunburn. You can only use a mask with UV protection to protect your skin from the sun. Non-woven masks and masks that have been washed and used many times will not protect you from the sun.

It is important to know how to properly care for your skin and protect it from UV rays. Here, we will tell you how to choose a sunscreen and how to handle sunscreen properly.

Why do we get sunburn?

Melanin pigments are deeply involved in sunburn. Originally, melanin is used to determine the color of the skin. However, when we are exposed to ultraviolet rays, we think, "My skin is under attack. We need to protect it! The melanocytes then release the components that form melanin to protect the skin from damage and promote the synthesis of melanin.

As we continue to be exposed to ultraviolet rays, melanin will continue to be produced. Normally, melanin is expelled along with metabolism, but when it continues to be produced, it causes pigmentation and darkens the skin. This is what I mean by "getting a sunburn.

UV rays not only cause sunburn, but also wrinkles and sagging. Sun care is necessary not only for sunburn but also for healthy skin in the future.

Types of ultraviolet rays and their damage to the skin

There are three types of ultraviolet rays. There are three types of UV rays, two of which are the most damaging to the skin.

The first one is UV-A waves. This type of ultraviolet rays is also known as "living ultraviolet rays". It falls all year round, regardless of the season, and is said to account for about 95% of all UV rays. The power of UV rays is relatively weak, but they can reach deep into the skin (dermal layer). It gradually damages elastin and collagen, which maintain the elasticity and firmness of the skin. Therefore, the damage does not appear immediately, but it can cause wrinkles and sagging as the skin ages.

The second is UV-B waves. Although UV-B waves only reach the surface of the skin, they temporarily burn the skin and then begin to produce melanin. Normally, melanin is expelled along with the metabolism, but when the metabolism declines, it can cause spots and freckles.

How to choose a sunscreen

There are many sunscreens available at drugstores. However, if you are not sure which sunscreen you should use, here are some tips on how to choose the best sunscreen.

Choose a sunscreen based on your skin type.

The most common skin type among Japanese people is said to be "combination skin", but there are also people with "sensitive skin" or "oily skin". If you have sensitive or oily skin, you may be wondering what kind of sunscreen is best for you. If this is the case, you may want to choose a sunscreen that suits your skin type and lifestyle.

If you are concerned about sebum on your face
If you have oily skin, you may be worried about shine and stickiness caused by sebum. If you want a sunscreen that doesn't make your skin shiny or sticky, and doesn't require a lot of reapplication, here are two sunscreens that we recommend.

If you are concerned about irritation to your skin
It's important to protect your skin from UV rays, but it's no good if the sunscreen causes skin problems. If you have sensitive skin, the ingredients in the product may cause your skin to tingle.

The key to choosing a sunscreen is to choose one that is "UV absorber free. This type of sunscreen is said to be less harsh on the skin and can be used on children's delicate skin, so please use it when choosing a sunscreen.

Choose by time spent outside

The best sunscreen for a sales person who works outside, plays sports, or likes to go out is different from that for a person who works in an office or enjoys indoor activities. Here are some sunscreen recommendations based on your time outside.

If you are outside a lot

If you spend a lot of time outside and don't have time to reapply sunscreen, choose a sunscreen with a high SPF and PA value. If you like to enjoy leisure activities, you should choose a waterproof type.

If you are indoors most of the time

You can get sunburned even when you are indoors. Have you ever moved a chest of drawers after a long time and found that the color of the floor had changed? That's because the floor has been burned by ultraviolet rays. If you spend most of your time indoors, a low value sunscreen will suffice, but it is recommended to use it daily as a sun care product.