Skincare should be paramount for everyone, as the skin is the largest organ in the human body. This organ covers all of the body and protects it from harsh elements like germs and ultraviolet rays (UV rays) produced by sunlight. While it protects other organs from the harsh UV rays, there’s little to no protection for the skin itself against these UV rays. This is where sunscreen comes in.
Sunscreens are essentially chemicals made to absorb or block sunlight from penetrating the epidermal layer of the skin. They come in various forms such as lotions, creams, sprays, etc. They are advised to be applied to the skin every day for maximum skin protection.
There are different forms of sunscreen, as mentioned above. They contain different amounts of the sun protection factor (SPF) of the product, which determines their efficiency. For example, products containing higher amounts of SPF will protect you from sun rays better than those with lower content.
SPF is vital for the skin as it helps prevent a couple of factors that could cause negative effects later. One misconception is that melanated skin does not need sunscreen. But sunscreen is important for all skin shades, melanated skin included. One reason is that over-exposure to UV rays leads to the loss of collagen, the protein that makes the skin supple, causing it to lose its elasticity over time.
Why you need sunscreen
- Reduces risk of skin cancer
“Cancer” is a disease dreaded by many. Exposure to unprotected skin over long periods increases the risk of skin cancer. Fortunately, the contents of sunscreen, like Titanium Dioxide, form a barrier over the skin’s surface that deflects UV rays instead of allowing them to penetrate the epidermal layer. This helps to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, daily sunscreen application can lower your risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, by 50%. Prevention of skin cancer is one of the most important reasons you should use sunscreen.
- Reduces the risk of sunburn
No one likes sunburn. Exposing your skin to sunlight for extended periods without sunscreen increases the risk of sunburn, especially in tropical countries where it’s sunny most of the time. Prolonged sunburns can cause severe long-term damages such as skin cancer and premature wrinkling due to loss of collagen.
- Protect skin tone
“Sunspots” are often called areas of discoloration that appear on the face and limbs. Regular sunscreen application helps maintain an even skin tone and prevents uneven skin color.
- Avoid Aging
Photoaging, spotty and wrinkly skin caused by sun damage, is one of the most common causes of premature aging as the sun’s UV rays cause the skin to develop wrinkles and lose its elasticity. Researchers have found that using sunscreen can help protect the skin against the harmful effects of photoaging. (Read article about non-toxic ways to resist skin aging).
What to look out for when choosing sunscreen
The most important factor to consider when choosing a sunscreen is the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) value. This value indicates how long the sun’s UV rays will cause damage to the skin after sunscreen has been applied. A SPF 15 sunscreen will block 93% of UV rays from reaching your skin. SPF 30 offers 96% protection, while SPF 50 offers about 98% protection. It is worthy to note that no sunscreen offers 100% protection, but experts recommend at least SPF 30 for ideal skin protection.
Another important factor to look out for is the product’s water resistance. It is advisable to wear a sunscreen that doesn’t wash off once it comes in contact with water or sweat to reduce reapplication time and save the product from finishing too fast.
It is advised by dermatologists to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before heading outside. If you plan to stay longer outdoors, you should reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. It is also vital to apply them even on cloudy days as 80% of the sun’s UV rays can pass through clouds.
Ultimately, sunscreens are good for overall skin health. Also, essential Skin proteins like keratin and collagen, which are responsible for keeping the skin smooth and healthy, are offered maximum protection with sunscreen. It promotes smoother, more supple, fresh-looking skin in the long run.