Most of us know the importance of wearing sunscreen to avoid sunburn and damage during hot months. But we might or might not use it throughout the year. In reality, we should be using it throughout the year to protect our skin.
Many people think that if they have dark skin, they don’t need sunscreen. In contrast, everyone should wear sunscreen at all times, regardless of their skin tone or colour.
Quick question!
Which product can protect us from sun damage, lower the risk of skin cancer, delay ageing signs, and, most importantly, work immediately after application?
Any guesses? Yes, that’s right, it’s sunscreen. So why are you skipping it?
If you want to keep your skin looking radiant and healthy in the long run, you must wear sunscreen daily. It’s the best-kept beauty secret that isn’t a secret anymore. Here are some of the reasons why.
Protection from UV rays
The ozone layer’s depletion has increased the risk of sun damage from harmful UV rays. Sunscreen blocks these rays, reducing the likelihood of sunburn. Look for products with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30 and use them every day.
Protects you from skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 71,943 people were diagnosed with skin melanomas in 2013, with 9,394 of these cases resulting in death. Using sunscreen every day, you can cut your risk of developing skin cancer in half.
Delays premature ageing
UV rays cause skin photoaging, characterised by a thick, leathery appearance, discoloration, and collagen breakdown, which contributes to lines, sagging, and wrinkles.
Reduce the chances of uneven skin tone
Sunscreen helps prevent discoloration and dark spots caused by sun damage, allowing you to maintain a smoother and more even skin tone.
Now, we know why sunscreen is so important. But in which places you should be wearing it. You might say, sunscreen is needed whenever you step out. Yes, that’s right, but there’s more to it too.
Indoors
UVA light can penetrate window glass and reach those who spend their entire day indoors. If you spend the day in a room with sunlight streaming through the windows, you are exposed to the same amount of UVA rays as if you were outside.
Winters
The ozone layer is a layer of the atmosphere that absorbs solar radiation. The ozone layer thins out during the winter months, giving you less protection from the sun’s rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying SPF to your entire body before dressing. They suggest, at the very least, applying sunscreen to those easy-to-forget areas such as your ears, neck, and scalp.
Cloudy Days
Even when it’s cloudy, up to 80% of the sun’s UV radiation reaches earth. Unfortunately, this means that outdoor activity can cause skin damage even on a cloudy day.
Whenever you wear light clothing
You might think that all clothing protects us from sun damage, but some lightweight fabrics, such as silk, crepe, or cotton, allow light to pass through. A white cotton t-shirt, for example, only provides SPF 5 protection! Wear dark-colored, dense fabrics for added protection. Synthetic and semi-synthetic fibres such as polyester or rayon and heavy, tightly woven fabrics such as wool, denim, or corduroy protect from harmful rays.
How to select the best sunscreen?
Broad-spectrum protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays age your skin prematurely, causing wrinkles and age spots, whereas UVB rays cause sunburn. Overexposure to either can result in skin cancer.
The SPF of a sunscreen indicates how much UVB light it can filter out. SPF 15 filters out approximately 93 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 30 filters out about 97 percent of UVB rays.
If you have acne or oily skin, make sure your sunscreen is labelled ‘non-comedogenic,’ which means it doesn’t block pores.
If you have dry skin, look for a moisturising sunscreen that contains hydrating ingredients.
Unsweetened Beauty recommends using sunscreen every single day and we stick to the fact that sunscreen is your most important step in your skincare routine.