When you see sunscreen, you probably think of sunny days, beaches, and summer drives with the windows down. But sunscreen is just as important when the snow is falling, you have to scrape ice off your car, or your drink of choice is a pumpkin spice latte.
Sunscreen and SPF are important year-round to protect your skin and keep it youthful.
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF SPF AND SUNSCREEN
Sunscreen provides many benefits for your skin. By regularly wearing sunscreen, you reduce your risk of skin cancer and prevent premature aging. Since sun exposure can cause wrinkles, sagginess, and age spots, wearing sunscreen helps keep your skin youthful by preserving your skin’s collagen and elasticity.
Sunscreen can also protect you from more than the sun’s rays. Some pollutants are activated by UV light, so sunscreen can help shield your skin from this kind of pollution.
Remember to apply sunscreen even on rainy, snowy, and stormy days, because UV rays are always a threat. Even when you don’t suspect it, there can be a high UV index. Add some chic shades while you’re at it to protect your eyes, too.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SUNSCREEN
Not all sunscreens are created equal. One factor to take into consideration is SPF, which stands for Sun Protection Factor. If you apply 30 SPF sunscreen, it will shield you from sunburn and harmful UVB rays 30 times longer than if you had applied none at all. The higher the SPF, the more your sunscreen is protecting you from the sun.
To protect your skin, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher — that’s what the American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends. Get the most out of your sunscreen by picking one that’s water-resistant so it will be effective when sweating or swimming. And to protect the environment, pick a reef-safe sunscreen.
Even when your sunscreen checks all the boxes, you still need to apply it daily and reapply it often — even when you can’t even see the sun in the sky. Past these recommendations, look around to find a sunscreen that suits you. Some people love tinted sunscreen for its effortless look, for example.
INCORPORATING SUNSCREEN INTO YOUR SKINCARE REGIMEN
In the morning, make applying sunscreen part of your routine. A general rule of thumb is to apply your skincare products in order of thinnest to thickest. Wash your face with a cleanser, apply a toner, put on any serums you use, and finally, apply your moisturizer and sunscreen.
Put sunscreen on all visible parts of your skin 15 minutes before heading outside. Sunscreen typically needs to be reapplied every two hours, so make sure you get a small sunscreen that you can carry with you so you can reapply easily throughout the day. If you do any activity that makes you sweat or if you’ve been in the water, reapply more often.
Taking care of your skin is an important part of self-care. If you want to learn more about how to care for your specific skin type, book a skincare consultation with one of our licensed aestheticians.