Here’s a little reminder: Make wearing sunscreen a habit. A
daily habit.
Yes, I mean every single day so that is 365 days a year (366
for leap years). Don’t forget to reapply as well.
A minimum of SPF 15 is recommended. 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 everyday:
Protection from UV Rays
There are two common types of UV rays.
We have the UVA rays which 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 affects the top skin later 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!
Prevent sunburn
Speaking of sun burn, we all hate how sensitive and painful
our skin feels 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 has accumulates. Even just less
than twenty minutes under the sun each day will add up the damage on your skin
and there is a greater 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 an insecurity and I wish I was more consistent with my sunscreen application even before.
Physical vs Chemical Sunscreen
There is physical and chemical sunscreen. Using a physical
sunscreen is the better option because the main ingredients in these types of
sunscreens have been around for years and they work really well to keep sun
damage away. They are also the culprit for giving you a ghost face when you
apply your sunscreen.
But it’s amazing that there are so many brands and companies
out there that are coming up with physical sunscreens that are comfortable to
wear, without the ghost-like look.
Physical or mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide or
titanium oxide. This type of sunscreen protects the skin by shielding it from
UV rays and scattering them.
There are also chemical sunscreens that contain octisalate, avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone and allow the absorption of UV radiation and releases it from the skin as heat.
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 sunscreen (zinc or titanium oxide)
- Use a sunscreen that is at least SPF 15 (higher is better)
Resources/Articles
5 important reasons to always wear sunscreen
UV Radiation and Status on Sunscreens
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