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When do you actually need to apply sunscreen?
Now that the sun is showing itself more and more often, it's time to reach for the sunscreen. Because we love the sun, but we don't want to get burned! But from when is it really necessary to apply sunscreen? Spoiler alert: not just when the temperature rises above 20 degrees. For our sunscreen advice, we look at the UV index. We'll tell you more about it. The power of the sun The UV index indicates the strength of the sun. In this index, sun strength is indicated on a scale of 0 to 15. At an index of 0-2 we speak of virtually no sun strength, 3-4 weak sun strength, 5-6 moderate, 7-8 strong and 8+ very strong. In the Netherlands, the strength of the sun is generally 0 to 8. In high-altitude places or countries close to the equator, the index can reach 15. Although you might think that the UV index is higher on a warm day, that doesn't have to be the case at all. Sun strength is determined not by temperature, but by the position of the sun. The higher the sun is in the sky, the higher the UV index. The amount of UV radiation is affected by clouds, dust or moisture in the atmosphere. At what UV index do you get burned? The higher the UV index, the faster you burn. For example, at a UV index between 6-8, you can burn within a quarter hour if you have sensitive or light skin. The danger here is that your skin doesn't turn red immediately. This is sometimes only visible after a few hours. If you see your skin turning red, the burn has actually been happening for a while. Even at a lower UV index, burning is a risk. For example, at a UV index of 3, depending on your skin type, you can burn within half an hour. At what UV index should you apply sunscreen? At a UV index of 3 you can already get a sunburn, pretty shocking right? That's why it's recommended to apply sunscreen at least from UV index 3 onwards. In the Netherlands this is roughly from April to October. But, now that the sun is showing itself earlier, it doesn't hurt to apply sunscreen on a sunny day in February or March. In any case a good idea to always use a day cream with spf, your skin only gets more beautiful from it. Reapply every two hours, preferably with a sunscreen with at least SPF30.
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Sunscreen shelf-life: can you safely use last year's sunscreen?
There she is again: the sun! You, and many others, probably still have some left over sunscreen from last year in your cupboard. But, is it still safe to use or did it expire by now? Read more to find out when it’s time to buy new sunscreen. Expiration Sunscreen creams, sprays and sticks all come with an expiration date. Just as with your food, this date is usually on the pack of the product. Usually the shelf life of sunscreen is indicated with 12M. Which means it’s safe to use the product up until 12 months after opening. Note: the product needs to be well-closed and stored in a dry and dark place at room temperature! Keep in mind that if your sunscreen got very warm, the SPF might have gotten lower. Naïf sun protection has (when closed) a shelf life of 36 months, when opened you can safely use it for 12 months. Does this mean you need to throw out your sunscreen after a year? Not necessary, but it is important to note that you’re not as well protected. Make sure that, when using an ‘older’ sunscreen, you apply it more often, because the SPF is not as good. The same applies to after sun: 36 months closed, 12 months when opened. But, with after sun, it is important to buy a new product after a year, because an open tube or bottle can contain bacteria and you’d rather not put those on the already sensitive or red skin. In doubt? Take a sniff Not sure if your sunscreen is still good to go? Just smell it! Does it smell differently than when you first used it, you might want to stay away from it. You can also check of the product still looks good. Watery or lumpy? Better get rid of it and get a new one. Storing sunscreen Make sure to keep your sunscreen in a cool place. The bathroom might be your first thought, but keep in mind that the bathroom has a lot of temperature changes, so it’s not ideal. Rather go for a drawer in your bedroom or a closed cupboard. Some might think the perfect spot is the refrigerator, and it’s definitely an option, but not necessary!
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