Soaking in the sunlight is a great way to get your daily dose of vitamin D.
However, excessive sun exposure can lead to tanning, sunburns, and even skin cancer!
Sunscreen is often associated with summers or beach trips but most people are unaware that daily sunscreen application can significantly impact skin health, even on cloudy days or when spending time indoors.
From protecting you from ultraviolet rays to combating premature aging, the skin benefits of sunscreen are profound and long-lasting.
In this blog, we tell you why you should be using sunscreens daily and the myriad sunscreen benefits for maintaining youthful, radiant skin.
How does sunscreens work?
Most sunscreens contain organic ingredients that protect your skin against UV rays, so your skin can absorb those rays.
Sunscreen protects the skin through two primary mechanisms: absorption and reflection/scattering.
Broad Sunscreens are designed to protect from both types of UV rays; UVA (which contributes to skin aging) and UVB (which causes sunburn) rays.
This protection is crucial for reducing the risk of skin damage and long-term skin issues that are associated with excessive sun exposure.
What is SPF?
SPF is a Sun Protection Factor that measures the protection against sunburn from Ultraviolet rays (UVB)
This scale indicates the time it will take for UV rays to redden and burn your skin if you don’t use sunscreen.
For example, an SPF of 30 suggests that it would take 30 times longer for skin to burn compared to not using any sunscreen at all.
SPF only refers to protection against UVB rays, so you should look for broad-spectrum sunscreens that will protect you from both UVA and UVB.
Benefits of using Sunscreen daily:
Let’s explore the benefits of using sunscreen daily.
Sunscreens contain organic compounds that can absorb UV-A & UV-B radiation and convert the harmful rays into harmful light.
Some sunscreens can refract the radiation away from your skin, acting as a physical barrier.
The ultraviolet radiation from the sun changes based on the hours and it’s the strongest at mid-day or during spring and autumn.
However, sun exposure can cause sunburns all year round, which is why it is important to use sunscreen in every season, daily.
Ultraviolet radiation is responsible for over 95% of skin cancers.
Using Sunscreen daily can significantly reduce your risk of skin cancer by acting as a protective barrier against harmful ultraviolet radiation.
A broad-spectrum sunscreen will reduce your skin cancer risk by up to 50% when used consistently and properly.
Sunscreen is your number one weapon to fight rapid skin aging, premature skin aging, wrinkles, and fine lines.
Ultraviolet light damages collagen and elastin in your skin, which are the proteins that keep your skin firm and supple.
By applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, you can significantly reduce the risk of sun-induced skin damage and maintain a youthful complexion.
Ultraviolet sunlight exposure can cause small blood vessels in your face to be enlarged and prominent in viability.
Your skin can look blotchy with red and purple patches that won’t go away, triggering pigmentation and uneven skin tone.
Wearing sunscreen every day helps prevent this damage and keeps these enlarged blood vessels from forming.
How Green Tea Can Boost Your Heart Health: The Science Behind It
January 30th, 2025