Sunscreen is a cream that individuals can use to protect their skin from the negative effects of sun exposure, such as burning, accelerated aging, and perhaps even skin cancer. When people are concerned about the skin around their eyes, which may become wrinkled or dehydrated, they can use special eye sunscreen. To choose the best eye sunscreen, you should first consider which sun protection factor (SPF) you need. People who plan on being out in the sun for only a few hours might choose sunscreen with an SPF between 15 and 30. If you plan on being out in the sun for five hours or more, you should use an SPF that is greater than 30.
Many people who seek out eye sunscreen instead of regular sunscreen do so because they are concerned about the health of the skin around their eyes. It is common for people to develop lines and wrinkles around their eyes as they age. Some of these changes are unavoidable, as they can be the result of naturally decreasing collagen, which makes skin less firm and smooth. However, sun exposure can exacerbate these effects, so using products that include vitamins A and E and other antioxidant ingredients can protect eye skin from harmful environmental factors.
For many people, the best way to choose eye sunscreen is to get recommendations from friends. For others, the answer is to consult a health specialist. A dermatologist, who specializes in caring for and treating skin, might know of certain products and ingredients that you should use.
The Internet might also offer some valuable resources for choosing eye sunscreen. Keep in mind, however, that you should familiarize yourself with resources before trusting them. Some websites might appear to be full of objective articles and customer reviews, though they are actually websites run by companies selling their products.
Magazines designed for consumers also can be good resources for shopping for eye sunscreen. Health periodicals, for example, might publish articles about sunscreen and skin cream ingredients that can help you to make informed decisions. Some magazines refuse advertising in order to remain as objective as possible.
If you commonly experience allergic reactions on your skin, you should go through allergy tests before trying different sunscreens. For a lot of consumers, a good way to find the best eye sunscreen is to try several different kinds and stick with one that works well. While you should know within a day or two if sunscreen effectively protects you from burning, you might have to wait longer to know if the skin around your eyes is benefiting.