Aging is the biggest worry of everyone. No one really wants to be old. Even, I dread my birthdays though I wait for them whole year. I remember how I felt when I turned 18 and then, at 20 and now, I will be hitting 24. The clocks and years seem to be running. But, yes, you can turn the years back. Follow the tips I am going to talk about today and see the results for yourself in a month.
Sunscreen
No one can ever stop talking about its benefits for your skin. Sun is the biggest enemy of our skin. The hypes UVA and UVB are for real and their effects can range from simple skin disorders to skin cancer. So, do not take sun for granted. Apply sunscreen religiously and reapply after every 2 hours. Try to stay away from sun between 10 and 4. The rays are the strongest and at their worst.
If you are outside, stand in shade, put on a hat, cover yourself completely. Do not worry if you look like thief or a militant. Its really important. In any case you are concerned about being a fashion disaster, you can buy wide-brimmed stylish hats or learn to tie scarves in an elegant manner. And, wear well-fitting full-sleeved T-shirts or tops. They look elegant.
If at home, do not close windows and doors to stop the sunlight. Allow your house to be filled with as much natural light as possible. It is good for your health and very hygienic. The sunlight cleans our surroundings. But, remember that UVA comes theough windows also. So, never forget to wear a sunscreen while at home too.
Use a high-factor sunscreen like 30SPF. It is ideal for Indian climate. High-sunscreen factor gives you a better protection for a longer time. But, no matter what, you have to apply it after every 2 hours.
Speaking of sunscreen, there is a very important thing which has never been emphasized. Many people are sensitive to light and they do not even realize it. They get certain skin disorders which are never diagnosed correctly. Recently, I went down with a skin disorder and consulted a dermatologist. She said that I am sensitive to light and am supposed to protect my skin from the light emanating from the tube lights and floroscent bulbs too. They also emit radiations which are harmful for our body. So, either switch to filament bulbs or cover your skin well under the lights. Do not let the direct light strike your skin. You can sit behind a curtain or some covering. And, sleep with your lights switched off.
Type of Sunscreens
Sunscreens are either physical or chemical.
Chemical Sunscreens are ones which you are supposed to apply 30 minutes prior to going under the sun. They create a film on the skin and prevent the absorption of sun’s rays into the body. So, they have to be applied a little prior to sun exposure and they should be applied as close to the body as possible. It is often best that only sunscreen is applied on the face. They have many compounds like Avobenzone, Benzophenone, Oxybenzone and many more. These compounds get absorbed into the skin easily and affect the body internally. Read this article to know more about it.
Physical Sunscreens provide physical protection to the body. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are the compounds found in physical sunscreens. They can be applied just as moisturizers and you can immediately go in the sun. They do not have the dangers involved in chemical sunscreens. But, beware of the nano particles of titanium dioxide used in the products. They enter the blood stream and create havoc in the body. It is extremely toxic.
But, unfortunately, there is no natural sunscreen which can provide resistance from both UVA and UVB as effectively as the commercial sunscreens. Thus, my advise would be that you can buy a sunscreen whose key ingredient is zinc oxide. It would be the safest bet.
But, unfortunately, there is no natural sunscreen which can provide resistance from both UVA and UVB as effectively as the commercial sunscreens. Thus, my advise would be that you can buy a sunscreen whose key ingredient is zinc oxide. It would be the safest bet.
Foods you can eat to improve your body resistance to sun’s rays
And, eat lot of tomatoes and spinach. Both of them have capacity to increase the body resistance against sun’s rays. Do not forget other green leafy vegetables which also provide resistance against the sun. Increase your resistance internally and externally to sun.
shweta says
October 29, 2010 at 1:31 PMshould we apply sunscreen after moisturizer? or alone sunscreen will work?
because moisturizer is also essential for skin.
plz clarify.
perfectskincareforyou says
October 29, 2010 at 6:47 PMHi Shweta
Ideally it depends on your own preference of sunscreen….for one thing, you can use a moisturizer with spf which has become very common these days but I can not really say anything about their efficacy…and if you are using separate sunscreen and moisturizer, apply the moisturizer first on your skin…wait for sometime to let the moisturizer absorb into your skin and then you can apply the sunscreen….but apply sunscreen under your makeup if you use any…..sunscreen should be as close to your skin as possible.
hope this helps. do get back in case of other questions 🙂
yo says
July 21, 2011 at 6:30 AMcan i use Aloe vera Cream by Patanjali(BAba Ramdev) instead of sun sceen,
will it also work??
swati says
July 21, 2011 at 7:37 AMHi yo…no actually…it is always better to rely on the brands for sunscreen…you can try neutrogena…its pricy but effective and it lasts long too!!!
suhani gupta says
June 10, 2012 at 5:23 PMyou know…if a lady with wrinkles and pigmented skin then applying sunscreen on regular bases..even if you are not going out anywhere and also instead of night cream using sunscream…works like wonders…this has been suggested by a dermatologist and had work wonders to my masi and mum.! 🙂
but it shouldnt be more than SPF 15
suhani gupta says
June 10, 2012 at 5:24 PMby pigmented i mean pigmentation due to aging..
Swati Murti says
June 10, 2012 at 5:33 PMwell, yes, sunscreen should be definitely used everyday but I am not in favor of it being used at night because the skin needs to be given time to repair on its own and sunscreens do have ingredients which can block the pores. probably using it in the day time adequately will as well work out.
its suggested to wear a sunscreen at night even coz the tube lights and other lamps emit radiations which are equally harmful for the skin but I honestly can’t follow it to that level. but, yes, i did try using bulbs instead of tube lights and did see the difference but its damn difficult in a bulb as it gives me headaches and makes the room really hot!!!
tina shivhare says
January 31, 2013 at 2:43 PMThis comment has been removed by the author.
Swati Murti says
February 11, 2013 at 6:06 AMhi Tina…you have deleted the query but i am still answering – yes, sunscreen should be applied daily even if you are staying indoors because sun’s rays can penetrate the glass doors. also, if your skin is dry, you should use a moisturized underneath the sunscreen coz sunscreen generally doesn’t act as moisturizer even if it claims to do so.
Moumita Sarkar says
May 30, 2015 at 8:34 PMPatanjali recently launched “patanjali sunscreen spf 30 uva /uvb . It’s a natural products . I want ur comment on ayurved sunscreen lotion . Plz if possible . I am using patanjali alovera gel as a after sun zone …it’s really worked .
Vishu says
July 18, 2016 at 9:05 AMIs patanjali SPF 30 good for oily skin
Swati says
July 18, 2016 at 2:03 PMhi Vishu, please use sunscreen from reputes brands like neutrogena, shiseido, vichy!
Ankita Ghosh says
September 21, 2016 at 8:26 PMwhich spf cream of patanjali is suitable for oily pimple prone skin ?
Swati says
November 30, 2016 at 7:14 PMhi Ankita. I would not suggest patanjali as a skin care brand at all. please go for proper beauty brands. and, regarding sunscreen, you must use something well-established like neutrogena, avene, shiesido, etc.
Anu says
January 20, 2018 at 5:39 PMHi,when we should use sunscreen lotion and anti aging cream in a day??
Swati says
March 9, 2018 at 5:38 PMin the morning before going out in sun, use sunscreen. in the night before sleeping, use anti-aging night cream.