We will be sharing this with Midori Okada (aka Dori-nee), a master nurse who is passionate about spreading the word about proper skin care!

How to use sunscreen correctly

UV rays are said to be the skin's greatest enemy , as 80% of skin aging is caused by UV rays. UV rays are also a major cause of age spots that become a concern as we age. At Aoharu Clinic, a cosmetic dermatology clinic, many patients come to the clinic worried about spots. Spot treatment is a popular procedure at cosmetic dermatology clinics, but some people experience a recurrence of spots even after treatment.

This is because of the wrong skin care method. In particular, if you use sunscreen incorrectly, your skin will age faster due to the effects of ultraviolet rays, and dark spots will appear again.

If you use sunscreen properly, you can minimize the effects of UV rays. People in their 40s and 50s and older may say, "Isn't it too late to start using sunscreen properly now?", but it's never too late to start! (Emphasis)

If you start now, your skin will definitely change in 5 or 10 years. Learn how to use sunscreen correctly and put it into practice.

1. How to apply sunscreen depending on your concerns

First of all, I would like to tell you that the most important thing in skin care, not just sunscreen, is to "not rub ." When applying skin care products to your skin, if you "rub" your face with your hands, friction will occur. This friction can cause blemishes, dullness, redness, and more !

Even if the friction each time is minimal, if you continue to rub your skin several times every day, the damage caused by friction will accumulate and become terrifying ... If you are reading this today, start a no-rubbing skin care routine right now.

Now, we will explain how to apply sunscreen in detail depending on your concerns.

1-1. Those who are concerned about dullness, melasma, and redness of the face despite using sunscreen

"Wrapping paint"

I always wear sunscreen, but I feel like my skin is dull overall, and I feel like I have faint spots all over my cheeks. If you're in the same situation, here's how to apply sunscreen.

First, you need a small amount of sunscreen in the palm of your hand (about the size of a 1 yen coin if you are using a liquid type, or about the size of a pearl if you are using a tube type). Once you have enough sunscreen in your hands, first spread it evenly on both hands.

Spread the sunscreen on your hands and press it onto your skin until it blends in. Imagine gently pressing your hands against your face, transferring the sunscreen from your hands to your face as if wrapping it.

Gradually move your hands to your forehead, cheeks, chin, and so on, pressing the skin all over your face. In beauty parlance, this is called hand pressing . For uneven areas, such as around the nose, press with your fingers to blend the product in. Remember to remember, "Don't rub, don't rub!"

Repeat this process using the same amount of sunscreen as the first time.

If you're going out, you'll probably apply a primer and foundation after this, but even then, try to be mindful to avoid rubbing as much as possible. Think of it as placing it on the surface of your skin. If you gently tap on any bumpy areas, you can blend it in without causing friction (the correct way to apply foundation will be explained in detail in another chapter!).

1-2. Those who are concerned about age spots (senile lentigo) and freckles (eglottis) from youth

"Point reinforcement painting"

Age spots that become more noticeable as you age are called "senile lentigo." The word "senile" may sound scary, but they are caused by the slowing of skin turnover as you age, and by the effects of ultraviolet rays causing photoaging, so they are called "senile."

Age spots and freckles are both caused by the accumulation of melanin pigment in the skin, and are darker in color than the surrounding skin. This is a recommended application method for those who are concerned about small, localized age spots and freckles.

The most common areas for age spots and freckles are the temples, tops of the cheekbones, outer edges of the cheeks, and eyelids. Take a coin-sized amount of sunscreen (for liquid type) or a pearl-sized amount (for tube type) onto your fingertips, dot the product on the areas where spots and freckles commonly appear, and gently spread it over your skin. Be sure to gently spread the product around the eyes, especially on the eyelids where the skin is thin, and avoid rubbing!

In addition, apply dots of the product to your forehead, nose, and chin, areas where sunscreen is likely to be washed away by sebum.

Repeat this process using the same amount of sunscreen as the first time. Finally , gently press your face with your hands.

This method of application is also recommended for those who are concerned about enlarged pores . In fact, ultraviolet rays also affect pores, causing them to become enlarged and sagging.

By applying it twice, you can effectively block UV rays with the "double coverage" method, which is effective against blemishes and enlarged pores.

<Summary> Tips on how to apply Aoharu-style sunscreen ●Friction is the enemy of beautiful skin, so do not rub when applying the product. ●If you are concerned about overall dullness or melasma, try the "wrapping application" method . Spread it on your hands and press it into the skin of your face to blend it in. ●If you are concerned about localized blemishes or freckles, apply it to the specific area . Applying twice will also cover open pores.

2. How to choose a sunscreen

A sunscreen's SPF value, which indicates the effectiveness of protection against UV-B ( *1 ), is greater the protection. PA , which indicates the effectiveness of protection against UV-A ( *2 ), is greater the more " + "s there are. From May through the summer, when UV rays are strongest, we recommend using a highly effective sunscreen with SPF50 or higher, PA ++++, to protect yourself from UV rays .

Also, there are many types of sunscreen, such as cream, lotion, and gel, but you should use the type that you apply directly to your skin. There are experimental reports that spray-type sunscreens only apply about 20 % of the required amount to the skin, so we do not recommend using this alone to protect against UV rays. Please use it as an extra when you go out.

Please choose the texture and moisturizing power according to your preference. We also recommend using different types depending on the season, such as a refreshing type in summer and a moisturizing type in winter.

* 1 : " UV-B " is ultraviolet light that darkens the skin. It stimulates the pigment cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin, which causes melanin to be produced and pigmentation (spots) to occur.

* 2 : " UV-A " is ultraviolet light that causes inflammation of the skin. When you get a sunburn, it causes your skin to sting and turn red. When your skin becomes inflamed, it becomes more susceptible to developing blemishes.

3. Amount of sunscreen used

When explaining how to apply sunscreen, I said that you should use a coin- sized amount of sunscreen for liquid sunscreen, or a pearl-sized amount for tube sunscreen, and repeat this process twice . I'm sure many of you are surprised and ask yourself, "Do you really need to use that much sunscreen?" That's right, in fact, many people use too little sunscreen ! This is a very important point.

The total amount of sunscreen to use is the equivalent of two 1 -yen coins for liquid sunscreen, and two pearl-sized amounts for tube sunscreen. This is the same for all sunscreens. The Japan Cosmetic Industry Association has set this amount as the "standard amount for measuring SPF ," so they apply this amount to the skin for each product to measure the SPF value. They are checking how effective the product is against sunburn on the assumption that this amount has been used, so it's pointless if you don't use the correct amount! That's what they say.

No matter how effective the sunscreen you use, most people use too little and don't get the full benefit of the sunscreen's effectiveness .

Also, if you think you are safe from UV rays because you are using a foundation with sunscreen properties, be careful. The SPF and PA values ​​listed on the packaging of your foundation are also measured by applying the amount set by the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association.

This means that unless you apply the same amount of primer as the sunscreen, it won't be able to exert its UV protection effect as stated. But if you apply that much primer, it will be too much and will crease! So you have no choice but to apply a small amount.

With that in mind, we recommend applying sunscreen before your foundation. Of course, it's fine as long as the sunscreen you use has a foundation effect and won't crease even if you apply a sufficient amount.

<Summary> How to choose and use Aoharu-style sunscreen ●From May through the summer, when UV rays become stronger, you can protect yourself from UV rays with a highly effective sunscreen with SPF50 or higher, PA ++++. ●The amount of sunscreen you use should be the size of a 1 yen coin if you use a liquid type, or the size of a pearl if you use a tube type, and repeat this twice . If you use too little, the sunscreen's effectiveness will not be realized! ●You will need the same amount of makeup base with sunscreen properties. If it creases, use an appropriate amount after a sufficient amount of sunscreen.