Day cream with SPF
Which face cream with UV protection is the best?
© (JLco) Julia Amaral / Adobe Stock
A day cream with SPF makes sense at any time of the year. Here you can find out why you should not only use UV protection in summer and which face cream with sun protection factor is the best.
Why should you use a day cream with SPF?
Sun protection factor, or SPF for short, is something most of us only have on our radar in the summer. Understandable. This is when the sun is at its most intense and sunburn is almost inevitable – at least if we do not use sunscreen at all. However, since up to 90 percent of UV rays can penetrate through the cloud cover, our skin is not necessarily protected even on cloudy days. Incidentally, UV radiation is underestimated even more in winter. This is intensified by the snow reflection. The face in particular therefore needs adequate protection. This makes it difficult for the UV rays to produce free radicals in the skin, which cause invisible inflammation in the skin.
Is a day cream with SPF useful?
When protecting against sunlight, day cream with UV protection definitely makes sense. The products are mostly less greasy and sticky than conventional sunscreens and can prevent sunburn, cancer and premature skin aging. It is not without reason that sunscreen is considered THE anti-aging cream par excellence. But what exactly makes ultraviolet radiation so dangerous?
- UVA rays are long-wave light rays. They increase the risk of cancer and are one of the biggest causes of premature skin aging. UVA rays attack the collagens in our skin by free radicals, which our skin can no longer defend itself against as we age. Gradually, the collagen disappears and wrinkles appear. A day cream with SPF ensures that these free radicals are not formed in the first place.
- UVB rays are short-wave light rays and are mainly responsible for sunburns. Accordingly, they also increase the risk of cancer in the long term.
This is what a day cream with UV protection is all about
A good day cream with a sun protection factor should not only protect against the sun, but also certain nutrient contain. For example those that keep our skin supple, such as almond oil or vitamin E Also vitamin C can not be wrong to counteract age and pigment spots – at least in small doses. Products that moisturize the skin are also recommended. In addition to UV rays, a lack of moisture is another cause of small wrinkles. aloe vera is a popular ingredient that protects the skin from drying out. By the way, a distinction is made between chemical and mineral sunscreens.
- Chemical sun protection penetrates the skin and converts the UV rays into other forms of energy. It should be said here, however, that chemical sunscreens are often criticized. On the one hand, they can cause skin irritation and lead to clogged pores. On the other hand, questionable ingredients such as octocrylene and homosalate are used. They are suspected of having a hormonal effect. So far, however, this has not been scientifically proven.
- A mineral sunscreen settles on the surface of the skin. The UV rays are reflected there. In contrast to chemical sun protection, mineral sun protection does not penetrate the skin. The higher the SPF of a mineral sunscreen, the more whitish, mineral particles it contains, which reflect UV rays.
Which is the best day cream with sun protection factor?
If you look around in drugstores and online shops, you will find numerous day care products with a sun protection factor. How are you supposed to keep track of that? We took a closer look at some products, compared them and six favorites found.
1. Nivea refreshing day care
This Day care from Nivea is particularly nourishing and provides long-lasting moisture. Thanks to the SPF 30 and the additional UVA filter, your skin is protected from the sun to the maximum.
- Chemical sunscreen
- Moisturizes for up to 24 hours
- SPF 30
- Rich care thanks to vitamin E
- Suitable for normal and combination skin
2. Paula’s Choice Anti-Aging Resist
Paula’s Choice is always a trusted resource for the skincare routine. It is therefore not surprising that the brand also has a day cream with SPF in its range. Oily skin in particular benefits from the matting effect of the Resist Anti-Aging Day Cream.
- Chemical sunscreen
- SPF 50
- Vitamin E and antioxidants
- Suitable for combination skin and oily skin
3. Yves Rocher Hydra Végétal
The Hydra Vegetal Day care with SPF performed particularly well at Stiftung Warentest. All natural cosmetics lovers should therefore take a closer look at the product. The special feature: thanks to the gel-like texture, the day cream feels wonderfully comfortable on the skin of the face.
- Chemical sunscreen
- SPF 20
- Creamy, delicate texture
- Intense hydration thanks to the cell water of the Carpobrotus Edulis plant
4. Hildegard Braukmann Exquisitely tinted natural cream
The special thing about the Exquisite Day care from Hildegard Braukmann is that it is a tinted sunscreen. Thanks to the color pigments that adapt to the skin, the complexion is perfected and pigment spots and large-pored skin are prevented.
- Mineral sunscreen
- SPF 15
- Contains pigments that adapt to the individual skin tone
- Suitable for all skin types
5. The Ordinary More Molecules Mineral UV Filters
The The Ordinary More Molecules Mineral UV Filters In addition to being moisturizing and antioxidant, Day Cream is cruelty-free. It is also part of the clean beauty – questionable ingredients do not get on your face.
- Mineral sunscreen
- SPF 15 / SPF 30
- Clean Beauty: Free from certain ingredients whose harmlessness has not been fully clarified
- Suitable for all skin types
6.Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops
The Sun Drops by Dr. Barbara Storm are an alternative to day cream with UV protection. You can either massage it into your face before applying your day care or mix it into your day cream. With their particularly high UV protection, the Sun-Drops offer long-lasting protection against UV rays.
- Chemical sunscreen
- SPF 50
- Vitamin E and beta-glucan to protect against oxidative damage
- Suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin
What is the best way to apply a day cream with SPF?
When applying a day cream with a sun protection factor, there is not much to consider. You can easily incorporate it into your morning beauty routine by massaging it into your face like a normal day cream after cleansing your face. If necessary, you can apply a moisturizing serum beforehand. Then let everything soak in and apply make-up as usual.
Which sun protection factor suits my skin?
Day creams with sun protection usually have an SPF between 15 and 30. Which is best for you, depends on your skin type. Light skin types should always use a higher sun protection factor. But it is also not to be neglected length of stay in the sun and the Intensity of solar radiation. How long you can stay in the sun with a clear conscience depends on your skin type and your sun protection. There is a simple formula you can use to calculate this.
Depending on the skin type, the skin’s own protection lasts between five and 30 minutes. Let’s assume your tinted sunscreen has an SPF of 50 and your skin’s own protection is 20 minutes, so you can protect your face for 100 minutes (SPF x self-protection = maximum time spent in the sun) stand in the sun without worry. This also means that a high SPF does not protect you more from the sun, but only extends the recommended length of stay.
Sources used:
- EU Commission on the effectiveness of sunscreens and related manufacturer information, eur-lex.europa.eu (Status: July 2022)
- Day creams with UV protection in the test, Stiftung Warentest (Status: July 2022)
- sunscreen, bvl.bund.de (Status: July 2022)