Do you cleanse regularly but forget to apply SPF?

Without wearing sunscreen on your skin, your everyday skincare routine is not complete. We already know that UV rays can be the first cause of premature signs of aging. The sun exposure on your bare skin can damage your skin in astonishing ways. It can make your skin dry resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, flaky skin, discoloration, uneven skin tone, and other unwanted skin issues.

The sunlight consists of two kinds of rays, that is UVA and UVB. Wearing sunscreen protects your skin against both, as it prevents broad spectrum rays from penetrating into your skin. Sunscreens not only protect you from UV rays, but they can also treat the damage already done to your skin because of sun exposure, using the correct sun cream daily can help you have healthy, youthful skin again.

Did you know that UVA can come through your window glass? Yes, it can! It is necessary to wear sunscreen even when you are indoors. UVA can cause wrinkles and freckles. It destroys the deeper layers of your skin and also the collagen, affecting your skin’s elasticity.

If it’s a cloudy day and you are thinking of leaving out the sunscreen at home, you are doing harm to your skin, as up to 80% of the UV rays can pass through the clouds (1).

UVB can cause sunburns and most kinds of cancers. Sunburns should not be taken lightly, as they are directly linked to skin cancers. As we age, our skin becomes more vulnerable, and therefore, it is more exposed to the risk of skin cancers. Using sunscreen can avoid the risk of developing different types of skin cancers. When the UV rays penetrate the skin, it damages the skin-area causing inflammation and redness. Sun exposure can also cause uneven skin and hyperpigmentation.

The SPF protects your skin proteins, such as keratin, which gives a nourishing and clean look to your skin (2)(3).

When you reach your 40s, collagen production slows down, and your skin starts breaking it down at a faster rate. Therefore, using the right sunscreen according to your skin type is also crucial. Look for ingredients such as niacinamide, zinc oxide, octinoxate, titanium dioxide, and other skin filters.

Do you think it’s too late to start wearing sunscreen? The answer is no. It’s never too late to stop photoaging. Daily use of sunscreen significantly ceases skin aging in young and middle-aged men and women. You can start applying a broad-spectrum SPF, as it is vital for protecting your skin from damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. A study recommends that SPF should be applied religiously to prevent photoaging in many countries (4).

So hey ladies, it’s time to go into the sun without any worry!

References
1. Preventive Health Medicine from a National Provider – EHE Health [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Oct 19]. Available from: https://ehe.health/
2. Website [Internet]. Available from: https://www.katesomerville.com/us/en/blog/5-benefits-of-sunscreen.html
3. The Benefits of Sunscreen: Why Do I Need To Wear SPF Every Day? [Internet]. [cited 2021 Oct 19]. Available from: https://eminenceorganics.com/ca/blog/2020/11/20/benefits-sunscreen-why-do-i-need-wear-spf-every-day
4. Mizuno M, Kunimoto K, Naru E, Kameyama K, Furukawa F, Yamamoto Y. The effects of continuous application of sunscreen on photoaged skin in Japanese elderly people – the relationship with the usage. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2016;9:95.