Choose a sunscreen to prevent sunburn

Sunscreen should definitely be used when the sun is hot. The problem is, what sunscreen is suitable for our skin?

AP/ROSS D. FRANKLIN

South Korean baseball athlete, Hoy Park, applies sunscreen before starting training in Arizona, United States, in March 2024.

Lately, the scorching heat of the sun has been increasingly painful on the skin. At 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. it already feels like the sun's rays in the middle of the day. If indoors without air conditioning, it feels stuffy.

The phenomenon is not only happening in Indonesia. Heat waves and scorching temperatures also hit Southeast Asia at the end of April to early May 2024. Schools in the Philippines and Thailand were even closed due to the hot temperature. The government aims to protect students from the heat between school and home.

Also read: Thailand-Philippines Smoldering as Temperatures Exceed 50 Degrees

In Thailand, many people have fainted and even died due to heatwaves. Malaysia, Maldives, and Myanmar are also suffering. Some parts of Thailand have recorded temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius.

It is likely that this year will be a record year for climate disaster and human suffering.

In just the first five days of May, 70 countries or regions recorded their highest temperature ever. Climate expert Maximilliano Herrera, who tracks temperature records worldwide, noted that Southeast Asia experienced its hottest night this week.

AFP/TED ALJIBE

Children in Manila, Philippines, take a bath to relieve the heat during hot temperatures on May 3, 2024.

Temperatures in parts of Thailand do not drop from an average of 30.9 degrees Celsius. In fact, at the end of April, parts of Thailand reached temperatures of 44 degrees Celsius. The spike in global warming over the past 11 months is unprecedented.

It is no surprise that extreme weather conditions are deteriorating. "If this record heat continues, it is highly likely that this year will be a year of record climate disaster and human suffering," said the Dean of Environmental Studies at the University of Michigan, Jonathan Overpeck.

Also read: Prepare for Record Heat in 2024

The world has been trying to adapt to hot temperatures. The way to do it is by designing cities that are capable of dealing with hot temperatures and high rainfall.

However, climate scientist at Texas A&M University, Andrew Dessler, said that the current climate change has far surpassed human ability to handle it. The United Nations has also warned that the world is on the brink of a climate change abyss.

Fortify yourself

Before joining the fight against global warming, it is a good idea for each of us to protect ourselves from sunburn first. The way to do this is by using sunscreen.

Moisturizing sunblock products, ranging from creams, sprays, to bars, are a never-ending business. Its presence is increasingly needed as the world gets hotter. In the United States alone, the sunblock business is worth 10 billion US dollars per year.

If you are going to be at the beach for a long time, it is better to use a mineral formula.

There are many brands of sunscreen being marketed. The abundance of brands often causes confusion. Not to mention the variety of materials or contents in them. Choosing between chemical or mineral ingredients alone can make people dizzy.

Also read: The Dangers of Ultraviolet Rays and the Importance of Sunscreen

So, how do you choose the best sunscreen? First, decide whether you want a chemical or mineral sunscreen?

Time Magazine, Thursday (9/5/2024), citing experts and dermatologists, stated that, although the ingredients are different, the function of both is the same. Sunscreen is useful for preventing skin burns and other damage due to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

AP/HAMISH BLAIR

American soccer athlete Lynn Williams puts on sunscreen before starting training in Melbourne, Australia, in August 2023.

However, its mechanism works differently. Head of Dermatology at Glen Clove Hospital in New York, USA, Raman Madan explained that sunscreen made from titanium dioxide and zinc oxide minerals creates a physical barrier on the skin that can reflect UV rays.

Meanwhile, chemical sunscreens contain active ingredients that absorb UV rays like a sponge. These chemicals include homosalate, oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, andoctocrylene.

Also read: After two hours of sun exposure, sunscreen containing zinc oxide can be toxic

Many people prefer chemical substances because they can better penetrate the skin. Meanwhile, mineral formula leaves a chalky white residue.

This residue is actually proof of the durability of products made from minerals. Mineral formulas tend to last longer than chemical ones.

"If you are going to spend a long time at the beach, it is better to use a mineral formula. There is no need to worry about having to apply it frequently," said Abel Torres, Chairman of the Dermatology Department at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Florida, USA.

Use minerals

People with sensitive skin and acne-prone skin are better off using mineral sunscreen. The reason being that mineral ingredients do not deeply penetrate the skin, meaning it is almost impossible to cause an allergic reaction. For those who are concerned about the safety of chemical-based products, they can use only mineral formulas.

Also read: Stay Beautiful When the Heat Stings Your Skin

Manda and Torres said that there is recent research that shows the chemicals in sunscreen enter the bloodstream after being absorbed into the skin. Other studies conducted on animals also suggest sunscreen chemicals such as oxybenzone may be linked to hormone disruption and an increased risk of certain cancers. "However, it is still too early to determine whether the absorption of these chemicals affects health,” said Madan.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Clear weather towards evening blanketed the Jakarta sky, Wednesday (7/2/2024). Earth's temperature will continue to warm.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are generally considered safe and effective. The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization analyzing the safety of sunscreens in the US, has also researched 83 mineral-based sunscreens and found them all to be safe.

Torres reminds that research has not proven the harmful chemical formula. They only indicate potential risks. Sunscreen with both of these ingredients are still beneficial to the body, reducing the risk of skin cancer. "Whatever is chosen, it's better to use sunscreen than to go out without protection," she said.

The second consideration is on the issue of which SPF is the best? SPF measures to what extent a sunscreen can protect the skin from UV rays.

The higher the SPF, the stronger the protection. The FDA recommends choosing products with a minimum SPF of 15. Meanwhile, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests using SPF 30 or higher.

Also read: For Healthy Facial Skin

According to Madan, individuals with fair skin may prefer high SPF. Regardless of the chosen SPF, sunscreen should still be reapplied after a few hours under the sun's radiation. This is especially true when swimming or sweating heavily.

In addition to checking the SPF level, the American Skin Cancer Foundation recommends choosing sunscreen labeled "broad-spectrum protection". This means that the sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are responsible for wrinkles and skin aging. UVB rays are the main cause of skin burns.

Experts also recommend using creams instead of stick and spray sunscreen. Creams stick better to the skin, providing better protection. This is supported by research findings that show spray products to be ineffective as they are easily carried away by the wind. With sprays, there is a risk of inhaling potentially harmful substances.

However, once again, said Madan, it is better to protect oneself with any kind of sunscreen than not using it at all. (AP)