Why It's Important to Always Wear Sunscreen

Let's be honest people, the majority of us wears sunscreen products only in the summer and strictly when on the beach. But the truth is that sunscreen should be worn all year round because it is considered as one of the healthiest preventive measures. Why preventive you might ask? Well, except for sunburns and skin damage, excessive exposure to the sun especially when it's too hot can, unfortunately, lead to skin cancer. Now, although in winter we can barely see the sun, the truth is that the snow can reflect 80% of ultraviolet (UV) rays which increases the chances of sun damage. So yeah, sunscreen should be worn in winter as well, especially when going on a ski vacation. However, the reasons for wearing sunscreen can go way beyond this.

Unfortunately, over the years, the depletion of the ozone layer has increased the risk of sun damage from the harmful UV rays. Luckily, we have the chance to protect ourselves from them by wearing a high SPF sunscreen. In the summer, it is recommended applying a sunscreen with SPF50, while during the rest of the year, you can opt for a sunscreen with SPF 30.

Except for reducing the chances of skin cancer, wearing high SPF and quality sunscreen products on a daily basis can reduce the chances of premature skin ageing. The sun damage from UV rays on the skin can be characterised by having a thick skin, discolouration and the loss of collagen. The latter can contribute to the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging. Lots of studies have been made and all of them show that those who tend to apply sunscreen bellow the age of 55 have a 25% less chance of developing these signs of ageing.

Since sunscreen is one of the only weapons we have to protect our skin (especially on the face) from the harmful UV rays, wearing it on a regular basis seems to be beneficial for some other things as well. One of them is reduced discolouration. In other words, by blocking the UV rays, your skin will thank you by showing off an even tone that has no dark spots from sun damage. This can also result in having smoother and softer skin.

Unfortunately, studies have shown that red-headed people have increased chances of developing skin cancer because of their fair skin tone. So, wearing sunscreen at least SPF 50 throughout the year is more than paramount for them. In the end, this certainly is one of the most affordable, handy and strong weapons we have against skin cancer, so not using it would be a shame.

Except for the traditional sunscreen lotions, nowadays, you have the chance to choose from a plethora of different sunscreen options. This can give you the freedom to choose the one that will be more convenient for you to use.

It goes without saying that spray sunscreen can be more convenient to use than lotions, especially when it comes to applying lotion at the beach. In fact, this sunscreen option is quite preferred by families with smaller children since it makes the application faster and handier to use. An important thing to know when using a spray sunscreen is that you need to apply more of it and evenly on every part of the body.

Except in sun lotions, sunscreen can also be found in moisturiser, lipsticks, lip balms and even in foundations. Although great, this should not be your only source of sunscreen, especially when spending too much time outdoors. So, if you do plan to spend more time on the sun, make sure you use a secondary coat of sunscreen that can come in the form of a face primer, so your makeup can be on point throughout the day.

Hypoallergenic or also known as mineral sunscreens are now available for all those of you who have sensitive skin. Instead of being absorbed, these sunscreens will sit on the skin, giving you a good level of protection without causing irritation.

Although not completely waterproof, water and sweat-resistant sunscreens will stay on the skin even after getting wet. However, it is of vital importance for you to reapply the lotion every two hours, so the effect could stay the same. Otherwise, you are risking of getting sunburns.

These types of sunscreen are great for spot application. One of the most common uses of these sticks is applying sunscreen on the nose, ears and mouth area. These areas, especially the nose are important as they are the most exposed to the sun.