Here is a little reminder: Make wearing sunscreen a habit. A daily habit.
I highly recommend using sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30. Even when you are staying indoors and it’s a cloudy day, the sun’s rays can penetrate through the clouds and your windows and reach your skin.
Here are the top reasons you should wear sunscreen every day:
Protection from UV Rays
There are two common types of UV rays.
We have UVA rays that can penetrate into deeper layers of the skin and even pass through windows. They can speed up the formation of signs of aging such as dark spots and wrinkles.
UVB rays only affect the top skin layer and cause sunburns and skin damage. You might think it’s okay to get a little bit of a tan but no,
these rays also play a role in the development of skin cancer. No, thank you!
Remember, UVA=aging and UVB=burning.
Prevent sunburn
Our skin becomes sensitive and painful after too much time in the sun. Even when you’re not at the beach all day, it is better to stay safe and apply sunscreen.
Reduce skin cancer risk
The damage that UV radiation brings accumulates so the earlier you start wearing sunscreen consistently, the better. I remember all those times back in highschool when I would walk 15 minutes home after class in the freaking heat. I wouldn't even be using an umbrella. Back then, my skin was my last priority. Even just 10 minutes under the sun will add up the damage to your skin and there is a greater chance of premature aging, skin damage, and the danger of developing skin cancer.
It’s also important to re-apply sunscreen every 2-3 hours due to sun exposure and sweat.
Decrease the chance of early skin aging
Too much sun exposure leads to damaged skin. You can get wrinkles and brown spots quicker than you usually should.
Keep an even skin tone
This might seem like a very superficial reason but it’s also a very good reason. Having an uneven skin tone (the cream and coffee tan lines) is insecurity and I wish I was more consistent with my sunscreen application even before.
Physical vs Chemical Sunscreen
There is physical and chemical sunscreen. There is a big debate over which type of sunscreen is better and more effective. These days, a lot of brands and companies are coming up with hybrid sunscreens that contain both physical and chemical filters.
The downside with a physical sunscreen is that you might end up looking dull or ghost-like because of the prominent white cast. If you are at home and do not mind it, then go ahead and keep using that physical sunscreen, but if you are going out, choose a well-formulated physical sunscreen or go for the chemical one.
Physical or mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium oxide. These cause the white cast during application. This type of sunscreen protects the skin by shielding it from UV rays and scattering them out. Some of the rays are also absorbed and released as heat from the skin.
There are also chemical sunscreens and some of these are octisalate, avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone and they allow the absorption of UV rays and release it from the skin as heat.
A lot prefer a physical sunscreen since they are considered less irritating to sensitive skin and are also better for the environment.
Blog recap:
- Wear sunscreen every single day even if you stay indoors or if it’s a cloudy day.
- Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, more often if you do strenuous activities that make you sweat a lot.
- Choose a physical or hybrid sunscreen for sensitive skin (zinc or titanium oxide)
- Use a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 (higher is better)
Resources/Articles
5 important reasons to always wear sunscreen
UV Radiation and Status on Sunscreens
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