choosing cycling sunscreen the right way

 

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Where did everyone go during this Dragon Boat Festival holiday? As a cycling enthusiast (and single), I naturally chose to go cycling. However, I made a big mistake this time!

I thought the cycling distance was short (80km), the UV rays in Chengdu weren't that strong, and it was cloudy. So, I 'confidently' didn't bring arm or leg sleeves, nor did I apply sunscreen, and I brought back some 'souvenirs'.

 

 

It hurts so much...

 

My lesson once again proves how important it is to do a good job of sun protection!

 

So, how should we choose sunscreen? How to use it more effectively? What should we do if we get sunburned? After getting sunburned, I researched and consulted experts. Today, let's talk about everything related to sunscreen.

 

How to choose the right sunscreen for yourself?

 

When buying sunscreen, the first thing to look at is the SPF index on the bottle. Here, we will focus on the index needed for outdoor sports:

(Image sourced from the internet)

 

The higher the SPF, the stronger the sun protection, but there's no need to always pursue a high SPF. Higher SPF values mean higher concentrations of sunscreen agents and more complex formulations, which can be more burdensome on the skin. Additionally, water-resistant sunscreens are generally oilier, while non-water-resistant products need frequent reapplication.

 

Cycling will definitely make you sweat, and sweat will dissolve sunscreen. If the sunscreen is not water-resistant, you must reapply it regularly to maintain its effectiveness, usually every 40 minutes. For convenience, I recommend buying water-resistant sunscreen.

 

When choosing sunscreen, pay attention to two main rules:

 

Rule 1: High SPF = Long-lasting sun protection

 

All sunscreens have an SPF value, which mainly indicates the duration of protection against UVB rays. A high SPF value only means longer protection, not necessarily better sun protection.

 

Rule 2: Sunscreen should ideally have both SPF and PA values

The PA value on sunscreen indicatesthe product's protection against UVA rays (UVA is the culprit of skin aging).

 

PA protection levels are PA+, PA++, and PA+++. The more '+' signs, the better the protection against UVA, and the longer the effective protection time. Generally, '+' indicates 4 hours of protection, '++' indicates 4-7 hours, and '+++' indicates 9-12 hours.

 

Sunscreen needs a process of absorption by the stratum corneum, and it usually takes 20-30 minutes to take effect. Therefore, apply it about 30 minutes in advance. For outdoor cycling, it is generally recommended to use SPF25-SPF35, PA++.

 

So, which brand of sunscreen should we choose? After consulting several beauty experts, I heard a popular saying in the skincare world: 'For anti-aging, look to Europe and America; for sun protection, look to Japan.' Japan is the most sun-conscious country in the world. If you don't want to spend time choosing among many brands, you can directly focus on Japanese brands.

 

How much should you use for it to be effective?

 

Generally, a coin-sized amount of sunscreen is enough for the face. If you're not sure if it's enough, just use a bit more.

 

This conclusion is based on the conditions for determining the sun protection factor. The amount used in SPF testing is 2.0mg/cm2, and to achieve the labeled effect, you need to use a similar amount. Different textures of products have different volumes for the same weight, but this amount generally ensures you are not using too little.

 

Another way to verify is to see how long it takes to use up a bottle of sunscreen. If you use it on your face every day, you should use at least 20ml in a month. If a 30ml bottle lasts more than two months, you're clearly not using enough.

 

Lotion, cream, or spray, which is best to buy?

 

Relatively speaking, sunscreen lotion feels more hydrating, while sunscreen cream is oilier and more water-resistant.

 

However, one thing to note is that when using sunscreen, just apply it evenly without rubbing it in too much. Sunscreen lotion/cream is meant to stay on the surface of the skin, not to be absorbed.

 

Spray, on the other hand, is more convenient. Our hands can't reach every inch of our body, and spray can solve this problem well. It also distributes more evenly, is easy to carry, and reapply, making it very suitable for cyclists. Just take it out during breaks, spray it on your face, and rub it in.

 

Do you only need sunscreen on sunny days?

 

If you think sun protection is only necessary for sunny outdoor activities, you're very wrong. I made this mistake this time. Even on cloudy days, UV radiation is 81%-95% of that on sunny days. Even in the rain, there is 21%-54% UV radiation, so sunscreen is not only needed for sunny outdoor cycling.

 

A 'bloody' lesson...

 

Do people with dark skin need sunscreen?

Many people neglect sun protection, their skin gets darker, and they think there's no point in applying sunscreen anymore. However, the expert I consulted said, 'When your skin turns dark, dry, peels, and lacks moisture, it means it has been sunburned. At this time, it needs sun protection products even more, along with some after-sun repair products.' So, all you dark-skinned folks, still pay attention to sun protection.

 

 

How to repair sunburn?

The most important thing after sunburn is to patiently cool the skin surface to avoid inflammation. Here are some repair methods based on different symptoms after sun exposure.

Symptom 1 - Slight redness

For mild sunburn, apply a lot of toner or lotion to reduce skin inflammation. Once the skin condition stabilizes, apply lotion to moisturize the skin. (If male cyclists are reluctant to use toner, ice water is recommended).

 

Symptom 2 - Feeling hot

For hot skin, the most important thing is to cool it down and stop the heat. Women can gently pat the skin with ice water or calming toner to stabilize the skin condition, and immediately apply lotion to prevent peeling. For men, applying aloe vera gel is necessary.

 

Symptom 3 - Painful heat

For severe sunburn close to inflammation, the only solution is to cool the skin with cold water and avoid applying anything (except for medication provided by a doctor). If hands or other parts are sunburned, use cold water compresses, but for the face, use a cloth soaked in cold water or wrap ice cubes in a towel and apply to the hot skin to alleviate the discomfort. Avoid using special skincare products for two weeks.

 

Besides sunscreen, cycling glasses, cycling clothes, and other gear are also very effective sun protection equipment. Additionally, try to avoid cycling during the hottest part of the day, which is from 1 pm to 3 pm. If you're on a long trip, definitely avoid this time period.

 

Alright, that's all for today's sharing. I'll continue to 'repent'...

    

Prize Interaction

How far do you think you need to cycle before you need sunscreen?

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section. If you have any sun protection tips, please share them with everyone..Every week, Cycling Hero will select two friends to receive sports equipment!

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