What SPF Sunscreen Do You Need for Dominican Republic? (Solved)
As it is well known, the Dominican Republic is a Caribbean country, with an embracing sun, using sunscreen is vital to help reduce the impact and damage of ultraviolet radiation that the skin receives when visiting a country with such a powerful sun.
However, when purchasing sunscreen, few take into account the specifications of the product to ensure that it is the sunscreen that can truly work for the characteristics of the climate in the Dominican Republic.
There are multiple sunscreen options on the market to choose from, depending on skin type, age, medical condition, and even the part of the body where we are going to apply it (face or body).
Many people recommend 30 SPF sunscreen, but this sunscreen does not work well to protect adequately in the Dominican Republic, if you are going to visit the Dominican Republic, and your skin is light and soft, a 50 SPF sunscreen or higher is recommended.
The sun in the Dominican Republic is on steroids all the time, super-strong, using a weak sunscreen won’t do you any good.
You should check the label on the sunscreen you buy to make sure it has an SPF (sun protection factor) of 50 or higher, as well as protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
The SPF: this index is the Sun Protection Factor (SPF). It indicates how long you can stay in the sun, using the product, without getting sunburned. There are different factors, 50+ is more than enough for maximum protection, but there are also 70+. You should always use it 30 minutes before going out in the sun.
UVA and UVB rays: They are not the same, but both burn and tan. UVA rays need more exposure time but penetrate the skin more than UVB rays. Both produce free radicals that can cause cancer, but UVB directly damages DNA and causes more intense burns.
What SPF sunscreen to use in Punta Cana?
If you are looking for sunscreen to visit Punta Cana, it is very likely that you are going to use them at the beach or pool, you definitely need a water-resistant one, use a sunscreen with the protection of 50 SPF or higher, for both face and body.
A water-resistant sunscreen will keep its SPF for up to 40 minutes in the water, unlike a normal one. If you practice water sports, such as swimming, opt for an ultra-resistant one, as it can last up to 80 minutes.
Although the most famous is the cream sunscreens, in the market you can also find other alternatives such as spray or lotion, each one fulfilling a different function.
The cream formulas are more appropriate for the face and décolleté, the spray for people who practice sports, and the use of lotion is ideal for the whole body.
For Punta Cana and other beaches in the Dominican Republic, it is advisable to use the traditional cream sunscreen, the protection is more effective.
How to use sunscreen in the Dominican Republic
There is a false belief that sunscreen should only be used when you are going to be directly exposed to the sun, on the contrary, sunscreen in a country with such a hot sun should be part of the daily care routine, so it is necessary to apply it always, no matter if you are inside or outside the hotel, or if it is a sunny or cloudy day.
This is because UV rays also come from screens of electronic devices such as computers, in addition to the fact that they are capable of affecting the skin even when there is no sun outside.
The amount to be applied is approximately the equivalent of a teaspoon for the face and neck areas, including the ears, as well as any other part of the body that will be exposed, such as arms, hands, legs, and feet.
It should be applied 3-4 times a day, taking into account that it should be touched up after swimming or bathing, after physical exercise, or excessive perspiration. It should also be reapplied two hours after the last application.
