We’ve all been told time and time again that it’s important to wear sunscreen every time we go outside for an extended period of time, but what if I told you that is only part of the truth? Sunscreen is essential to everyone every day, regardless of skin type and tone, and the SPF you choose is just as vital. 

What Is SPF?

SPF (sun protection factor) is a measure of protection against UVB light, which can cause sunburn and skin cancers. Sunscreen works to block and absorb UV rays through various physical and chemical particles, and the SPF level indicates how protected your skin will be. 

While it seems that sunscreen is only used to help protect against sunburns and skin cancer, it has other benefits that make it essential to everyone’s skincare regime:

Fights Premature Aging: Consistent exposure to the sun with little to no protection can cause damage to your elastin, collagen, and skin cells, which leads to premature aging. The damage can cause your skin to have a leathery appearance, discoloration, and form fine lines and wrinkles. You can easily prevent this by wearing sunscreen every day.

Prevents Skin Discoloration: UV light speeds up melanin production, which gives your skin its color. When the pigment cells become overactive, they can create tan to brown spots on your face, hands, head, and arms. By applying sunscreen throughout the day, you can prevent these spots from appearing. 

Reduces Inflammation: UV exposure can cause skin irritation and inflammation, which can be especially harsh to those who have psoriasis and rosacea. Applying sunscreen helps prevent inflation from occurring. 

Protects From Sunburn: Sunscreen helps protect your skin from getting sunburned. Prolonged sun exposure causes sunburns, as well as tanning beds and booths. Applying sunscreen reduces the chances of your skin getting sunburned and developing blisters and scarring due to prolonged sun exposure and tanning beds and booths.

Reduces Risk Of Cancer: One in five Americans will develop skin cancer once they’re in their 70s. By wearing a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day, you lower your chance of developing skin cancer. For more protection, you can wear a higher SPF. However, regardless of whether it’s cloudy or you are indoors, apply sunscreen to fight against developing skin cancer.

How To Pick A Sunscreen

It's hard to know which sunscreen you should pick. With so many types offering different features, you may not know which one is right for you. Luckily, there are a few key features to look out for:

SPF 30 or Higher: With sunscreen, you should never use one with an SPF lower than 30. SPF 30 protects you from 97% of the sun’s UVB rays. While you can use a higher SPF to protect your skin more, there are no sunscreens that can 100% protect your skin. So, by wearing SPF 30, you are at least keeping your skin protected at the best minimum possible.

Choose Broad Spectrum: Broad Spectrum sunscreens help protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, helping block at least 97% of UVB rays. 

Pick Water Resistant: Sunscreens that are water resistant stay on longer when wet or sweaty compared to non-water resistant sunscreens. These sunscreens can last anywhere from 40 to 80 minutes. 

Check For Active Ingredients: The ingredients in your sunscreen can greatly impact your skin if you suffer from various skincare concerns. You should always look for a sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and avobenzone and avoid the ones containing Vitamin A’s, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Acne Prone Skin: Sunscreen clogs your pores. If you are prone to forming acne, you will need to choose an oil free sunscreen formula for your face to help fight against breakouts.

Sensitive Skin: For those who are prone to redness and/or have sensitive skin, you will want to look for physical or mineral sunscreens, as these contain zinc oxide and dioxide. These sunscreens sit on the top layer of your skin, creating a barrier against the sun. 

You will also want to avoid any spray-on sunscreens, as they contain harsh chemicals that can dry out your skin.

Application Tips

Applying sunscreen correctly is crucial for its effectiveness. There are more factors than just whether you should wear sunscreen to help keep your skin protected and healthy.

Sun Exposure: The sun’s rays are the strongest between 10am and 4pm. Depending on what time you are going to be out in the sun at can determine what sunscreen you should wear and when you will need to reapply. Since it is important to first apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you directly expose your skin to the sun, be sure to consider any activities and time scheduling before applying.

It is also vital that you wear sunscreen even when it’s cloudy outside or you are staying indoors. The sun’s rays can still penetrate through clouds and even windows, so be sure to apply your sunscreen every day regardless of the weather. 

Skincare Regime: In skincare, it is important to ensure that sunscreen application is the last step in your skincare regime. Sunscreen creates a veil of protection over the skin, so it is important to make sure it is sitting on top of all of your other skincare products. 

While you want to be careful not to put on too much of your other skincare products, sunscreen is the one product you want to make sure you are putting plenty on. Apply sunscreen to any exposed part of your skin, not just the face. Apply sunscreen to your hands, feet, ears, neck, and the top of your head. If you are unsure of how much to put on, you will want to apply two tablespoons of sunscreen to all exposed parts of your body. If you’re using a spray-on sunscreen, apply an even coat across all exposed body parts. 

Reapplication: Sunscreen is not a one and done deal. You will need to reapply throughout the day, especially when you are spending plenty of time outdoors. While it’s best to reapply every two hours, there are exceptions when you will want to reapply sooner. Follow the label guidelines for reapplication if you are sweating, wet, or toweling off.

The Importance Of Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a vital part of your skincare regime, so make sure you are applying sunscreen every morning and reapplying as needed. If you need help determining the best sunscreen to use, click BOOK NOW in the upper right corner and get scheduled for your sunscreen consultation right away! We look forward to seeing you soon.