There are many things in the environment that our skin needs to be protected from, ranging from pollution and smog to dirt and bacteria. But the most important thing your skin needs protection from may surprise you: the sun. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet, or UV, rays can be harmful all year long, even if it’s cloudy or cold out. And sun exposure doesn’t just cause sunburn, it can darken pigmentation, lead to premature signs of aging, and cause skin cancer. The questions that arise are why do we need to use sunscreen, who does, when and how do we incorporate it in our daily life?

UV Rays

UVA rays are present throughout the day and penetrate past the skin’s epidermis and into its dermis layer. These rays are what make our skin produce melanin (aka what makes us tan) but they also contribute to skin cancer and cause fine lines and wrinkles. This is because UVA rays damage collagen in the dermis layer, and collagen is what makes our skin plump and youthful.

Who needs to use sunscreen?

Who should apply sunscreen? The short answer — everyone. The longer answer considers people of different ages, skin types and lifestyles.

How to protect yourself?

Properly protecting your skin from the sun is crucial. Sun protection products — especially a great facial sunscreen — should be part of your daily routine, no matter where you live and what the weather is.You should limit your sun exposure, and when you are outside, try to wear a hat and cover as much skin as possible. Of course, when it’s hot and sticky out the last thing you want to do is cover up, so using a broad spectrum sunscreen is the best way to combat UV rays. Even if you don’t think you’ll be in the sun, UV rays can impact your skin through glass, cloud coverage, and even your clothing, so wearing sunscreen every day is very important.

What is SPF?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and it’s the measure of how long a product will protect you from UVB rays. A broad-spectrum sunscreen includes ingredients that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

Interestingly, a higher SPF number does not necessarily mean your skin will be more protected. While there are products available ranging from SPF 7 to SPF 70, it’s sufficient to use a product that is SPF 15 or SPF 30 — as long as you apply liberally and re-apply. In fact, most skin care professionals recommend reapplying every two hours, regardless of the SPF level and especially when you’re swimming and sweating.

Types of sunscreen:

Let’s talk about options. There are two different types of sunscreen available. Those are chemical sunscreen and mineral sunscreen.

CHEMICAL SUNSCREEN:

A chemical sunscreen is one that absorbs the radiation from UV lights and breaks it down so that your body releases it as heat. This effectively protects your skin from the sun.

MINERAL SUNSCREEN:

The other option is a mineral sunscreen. The active ingredients in a mineral sunscreen is usually zinc oxide or titanium oxide. They protect your skin from the sun by creating a physical barrier to the UV radiations.

The key to using sunscreen, no matter the SPF, is to apply carefully, and reapply frequently. A few important tips:

+ When purchasing a sunscreen, choose a broad-spectrum product to ensure that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

+ Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are two key ingredients to look for in sunscreen products.

+ For face sunscreens, choose a product that is non-comedogenic to prevent clogged pores.

+ Sunscreen should be applied approximately 30 minutes before being in the sun.

+ Reapply frequently through the day, especially after contact with water or exercising.

I hope you got some new information out of this article today. You can venture out and get a good sunscreen that fits all of your needs when you have them!

Sunscreen is so important to everyone out there, not only because of harmful rays that could cause sunburns and skin cancer. The sun is also the biggest cause of premature aging! You want your skin to stay healthy, beautiful, and resilient!

Have fun getting some sun and trying out some sunscreen to find your favourite!