Excessive sun exposure is harmful, which is why using sunscreen is important. While a daily dose of sunshine and vitamin D feels great on our skin, they can have potentially damaging effects. The sun emits different types of rays, but ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) are the most harmful to your skin.
Most of the ultraviolet light that touches your skin is in the form of UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays pierce deep into your skin and can cause skin aging. UVB rays are usually responsible for sunburn. UVA and UVB rays are both detrimental to your skin, even on cloudy days when it seems like there’s barely any sunlight.
Applying sunscreen is beneficial as it blocks out UVA and UVB rays. It helps protect us from very painful sunburns. Also, it safeguards your skin from damaging ultraviolet radiation. slow down the aging process.
Regardless of your skin type or skin tone, sunscreen should be an essential part of your daily skincare routine. It is crucial not to leave your home without enough sun protection to tackle the day. In this blog post, we discuss why using sunscreen is important for all skin types and tones.
5 Major Reasons Why Using Sunscreen is Important!
A sunscreen with SPF 30 or above is one of the best skincare items you can add to your daily routine. It protects you against these harmful rays and helps reduce some of the negative effects of sun exposure.
Overexposure to the sun can cause skin damage like hyper-pigmentation, wrinkles, and sunspots. It’s important to protect your skin with SPF all year, due to the intensity of the sun’s UV radiation, and even when it’s cloudy.
1. Guards Your Skin from the Sun’s Damaging UV Radiation:
UV radiation can cause sunburn, discoloration, and changes in skin texture, increasing the likelihood of skin cancer. Sunburns can feel painful and are often an inflammatory response to UV damage. Sunburn can take place in as little as 10 minutes of sun (UV) exposure. Sunscreen protects your skin and prevents sunburn by blocking UV rays from penetrating your skin.
Whereas UVA rays are usually associated with long-term skin damage like wrinkles and age spots, UVB rays often cause damage like sunburns and are linked to skin cancers. When outside, endeavor to use sunscreen to reduce the amount of UV radiation that penetrates your skin.
2. Helps Prevent Signs of Premature Aging:
Excessive sun exposure can cause sun damage like dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles to develop on your skin. Even when indoors, UVA sunlight can penetrate your windows, resulting in photo-aging. These can result in an uneven and leathery texture developing on your skin, making you look older.
Since it acts as a barrier between your skin and the sun’s UV radiation, sunscreen helps to prevent signs of premature aging. It’s one of the best methods to prevent premature aging along with other types of skin damage caused by UV rays.
3. Why Using Sunscreen is Important: Helps Maintain Even Skin Tone
Skin discoloration or hyper-pigmentation can be caused by UV damage, resulting in an uneven skin tone. Sun-exposed areas of the body, including your face and hands, may appear inflamed/red or even appear darker. Thankfully, using sunscreen is a simple yet effective way to protect your skin against dark spots, along with other types of discolorations.
One of the major advantages of sunscreen is that it acts as a preventative measure for maintaining a more even skin tone. Applying sunscreen (SPF 30+) regularly is important in providing your skin with the protection it needs to look young and healthy.
4. Helps Decrease the Risk of Developing Skin Cancer:
Sunscreen is your first line of defense against skin cancer. Using sunscreen daily, along with putting on protective wear like hats, protects you against the detrimental effects of the sun’s UV rays. Use one with at least SPF 30 and reapply every two hours to ensure that it is well absorbed into the skin.
5. Why Using Sunscreen is Important: It Prevents Tanning:
It’s important to note that when sunbathing to tan, you are also exposing yourself to harmful UVB rays. Use sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to avoid tanning caused by UVB. Ensure you reapply every two hours, as perspiration may clean off the protective layer.
How to Apply Sunscreen for Ample Sun Protection
Spray sunscreens are more convenient —since they cover a larger area. However, cream sunscreen may be a better option for your face and neck. This is because it provides full, even coverage.
The following tips below will surely help you with your sunscreen application:
- To cover your face, always use at least an index finger full of sunscreen.
- Apply enough sunscreen to cover all exposed skin.
- Also remember to apply on your ears, back of your neck, feet, and hands, as they can often be neglected.
- Maintain uniformity in your application and reapply as necessary.
- Apply 15-20 minutes before heading outside.
- Be sure to reapply every two hours when out in the sun, or after swimming or sweating.
- Use a lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your lips.
Choosing the Right Sunscreen for Your Skin Type
Sunscreen prevents sun damage and provides your skin the protection it requires to maintain a healthy appearance. It is important to consider your skin type when choosing one to reap its benefits.
- Choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or above, with a formula that protects against blue light.
- Avoid oxybenzone if you have sensitive skin. People with sensitive skin should opt for a mineral sunscreen instead.
- For oily or acne-prone skin, use oil-free, matte sunscreens as part of your skincare routine.
- Sunscreen comes in a variety of types that won’t make your skin greasy or cause breakouts. It’s important to choose the right one tailored to your skin’s needs.
- Additionally, there are lightweight creams with adequate Sun Protection Factor, that absorb fast without leaving a greasy residue on your skin.
Tips to Maximize the Benefits of Applying Sunscreen
Considering all the hype for you might be wondering how to make the most of your sunscreen application. As more people become aware of the link between sun protection and anti-aging, Sun Protection Factor (SPF) has turned out to be a vital component.
Follow these useful guidelines to help you get the most out of your applying sunscreen-
- Opt for a sunscreen with at least SPF 30: SPF 30 is ideally recommended because it has been clinically established to provide enough sun protection to limit or diminish the damage caused by UV radiation. Any sunscreen below an SPF 30 does not provide adequate protection or the same benefits.
- Reapply frequently throughout the day: It is important to apply sunscreen before leaving the house. However, sweat and water can cause your sunscreen to wipe off, resulting in uneven coverage. If you don’t reapply during the day, your UV protection will fade. So, reapply every 2 hours or according to the label’s instructions.
- Select a hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic sunscreen: Select an spf cream or gel option that won’t clog your pores and irritate your skin. It will protect you from both ultraviolet A and B rays, without causing rashes, blocked pores, and acne.
- Make sure you use sunscreen all year round The sun emits damaging UV radiation all year round, so you need to use spf every day. Even on cloudy days and winter months, the sun’s dangerous UV rays may penetrate your skin.
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