The final step in skin care is protection. Environmental factors are major contributors to skin damage, and it is important to protect the skin during times of exposure. Ultraviolet light is the major culprit in skin damage. When exposed to the elements, protective clothing, and the application of a sunscreen or sun block with an SPF of at least 15 should be routine. Numerous studies have shown that sunscreens with an SPF factor of greater than fifteen, and certainly thirty, do not provide much additional protection. Sunblocks listing a higher SPF, usually contain a white zinc or titanium oxide, which offers mechanical protection against ultraviolet light damage.
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