The skin serves essential purposes, such as shielding your body from harmful microbes and maintaining a stable body temperature. Because the skin does so much, it’s only right that you provide it with the same level of protection it gives you.
Neglecting to apply sunscreen leaves your skin susceptible to various issues. The following are the top reasons you should include sunscreen application in your daily routine.
Table of Contents
- 1. Sunscreen Prevents the Risk of Developing Skin Cancer
- 2. Sunscreen Slows Down Skin Aging
- 3. Applying Sunscreen Protects Potential Skin-Related Damages when Tanning
- 4. Lessens the Effects of Hyperpigmentation
- 5. Say Goodbye to Acne Breakouts
- 6. Combat Skin Allergies
- Using Sunscreen Benefits the Skin in So Many Ways
1. Sunscreen Prevents the Risk of Developing Skin Cancer
Applying sunscreen daily, even for brief outdoor exposures, is crucial in maintaining healthy skin and preventing skin cancer. Using at least an SPF 15 sunscreen daily can reduce your risk of developing melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer, by 50 percent. The following are the common symptoms of skin cancer:
- Red patches on the skin that can sometimes be itchy
- Scabs or sores that don’t go away
- Skin spots changing color, size, and shape
- Sudden lumps that feel waxy
- Skin ulcer
- Large, brown speckles
- Skin spots that can be painful
An effective sunscreen is broad-spectrum, which defends against the rays that cause sunburn and those responsible for aging and tanning. The required protection level depends on your activities while wearing sunscreen. If you mostly stay indoors, SPF 15 should be enough. Meanwhile, a higher SPF would be more suitable outdoors during peak sunlight hours.
2. Sunscreen Slows Down Skin Aging
UV ray-induced sun damage leads to skin photoaging, manifesting as a thick, leathery appearance, discoloration, and collagen degradation. This also results in developing lines, sagging, and wrinkles. Individuals who consistently use sunscreen have a lower risk of experiencing these aging signs than those who refuse to.
3. Applying Sunscreen Protects Potential Skin-Related Damages when Tanning
Getting a tan is often perceived as a harmless process. However, you expose yourself to dangerous UVB rays when sunbathing. To guard against these dangers, choose sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 to avoid UVB-triggered tanning. For sensitive skin, it’s important to reapply sunscreen every two hours or after working out, as sweat can remove the protective barrier.
4. Lessens the Effects of Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation, called dark patches or spots, occurs due to increased melanin levels. Melanin acts as a natural sunscreen for your skin, and when exposed to UV rays, your skin cells produce more melanin as a self-protection response.
This results in certain skin areas tanning more than others. Sunscreen helps prevent hyperpigmentation by blocking the photodamage that leads to brown spots and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the discoloration following an acne breakout.
5. Say Goodbye to Acne Breakouts
Your acne situation can only get worse if you don’t make applying sunscreen a habit. You’ll eventually experience skin inflammation the more you expose yourself to the sun because doing so causes sunburn. Sunscreen creates a barrier that shields your skin from inflammation. When choosing a sunscreen, ensure it is non-comedogenic to avoid clogged pores.
Acne is fundamentally an inflammatory skin issue, so increasing inflammation when you have acne only results in, unsurprisingly, more acne. There is a direct correlation between free radical activity and severe acne. Applying sunscreen for face with a Vitamin C-powered free radical combatant daily will significantly help protect your skin.
6. Combat Skin Allergies
Spending too much time under the sun may lead to a polymorphic light eruption, known as sun poisoning. Sun allergy is a general term for many skin problems that cause itchy, red rashes when you’re in the sun. The symptoms can vary depending on the cause.
Some signs include redness, itching, pain, scaly or crusty skin, blisters, bleeding, or small bumps that can grow into bigger patches. Sunscreen acts like a shield for your skin, protecting the cells underneath from harm that could be temporary or permanent.
Using Sunscreen Benefits the Skin in So Many Ways
Incorporating sunscreen into your daily skincare routine is important in maintaining your skin’s health and appearance. Be it slowing down the aging process or reducing pigmentation, wearing sunscreen can help preserve your skin’s youthful glow.
A little SPF can provide hours of protection against the sun’s harmful rays. Using sunscreen is a simple yet powerful step in ensuring the long-term well-being of your skin. Don’t overlook its significance; make it essential to your skincare regimen.
