Sunscreen should be an everyday fixture no matter the weather. It’s necessary to protect your skin from UVB and UVA rays and a sunscreens SPF is what offers protection. UVA rays cause skin damage, wrinkles and Hyperpigmentation.
What is SPF
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and measures how good a sunscreen will protect your face from UVB rays. UVB rays are radiations which cause sunburn, skin damage and can also cause skin cancer.
Why is it Important to use SPF
UVA and UVB are two rays that are very dangerous for your health and your skin. UVA penetrates deep in your skin and it causes wrinkling, aging, hyper pigmentation and more skin damages. UVB causes sunburn which can cause skin damage or even worse skin cancer. Now that you know what those rays can do to your skin and health. If i told you that your number one UVA and UVB defence warrior is in fact sunscreen? In fact sunscreen creates a protection to prevent UVA and UVB rays from reaching your skin and it keeps it safe from the harmful effects from radiation. Therefore applying sunscreen daily is more than important and it should be part of your morning skincare routine.
How to choose a good sunscreen
When choosing a sunscreen it is important to choose one which is suitable for your skin type. If you have acne or oily skin , it is recommended to choose an oil free sunscreen or one that is light and non-comedogenic. If you have normal or dry skin , pick a sunscreen that has hydrating ingredients. For those who have sensitive skin, their best choice is a physical or mineral sunscreen. A very important point when choosing a sunscreen is to make sure that it is labeled ‘broad spectrum’. Broad spectrum sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays cause your skin wrinkles and hyper pigmentation and UVB rays cause your skin sunburn. So you will need to be protected from both rays. Finally make sure your SPF is at least 30 or above.
When should you apply it
Sunscreen should be applied every single day, 360 days a year. Wether its raining outside, it's cloudy or it's sunny. A good rule to follow is to apply it 30 minutes before leaving the house and topping it up every 2 hours to be on the safe side. If you swim, shower or do a physical activity make sure you reapply your sunscreen straight away.
How else can I protect my skin
Sunscreen will protect your skin from sun damages but if you want even more protection, look for protective clothes, darker clothes have more UV protection. Avoid sun exposure between 11 pm
and 4 pm. Sit in the shade as much as you can and wear a hat whenever you can. Protecting yourself from the sun is very important , so try your best to be very conscious and preventive.