With summer here, we’re all planning on doing lots of warm weather faves. While we’re out soaking the much loved sun, we mustn’t forget to protect ourselves against the harsh sun rays. A little sunscreen goes a long way. The general idea about sunscreen is that it protects you from getting sunburnt, but it is much more than that. Sunscreen is one of the most multifaceted and effective anti-ageing products there are.
Sunscreen helps protect against photoaging. A study conducted in 2013, was able to quantify the anti-ageing properties of sunscreen. They suggested that those who used sunscreen daily were 24% less likely to show an increased sign of skin ageing. After one year of continuous use of sunscreen, individuals showed an improvement in pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles.
SPF 30 is generally the lowest you should go. Anything lower than SPF 30 might wear quite quickly. However, SPF 50 is usually the highest one should go. Most people don’t need anything too high as they don’t really offer much more protection than SPF 50. For day to day out in the sun, it is advised that you reapply every two hours. However, if you’re going to be sweating or in water, then ideally you reapply every 40 minutes.
Make sure your sunscreen states that it is broad spectrum and will protect you against UVA and UVB rays. Those two rays are what causes damage and are both linked to skin cancer. UVA goes deep into your skin and causes premature ageing. These rays are consistent throughout the whole year. UVB are the rays that cause your skin to red and burn. The strength of these rays varies depending on your location and time.
However, when shopping for sunscreen, you should always make sure to check the ingredients used in them. Chemicals such as oxybenzone or also known as benzophenone-3 are regularly used in common sunscreen. They are used to absorb UV light, however a part of it is also absorbed into our skin. The chemical is considered as a hormone disruptor and can potentially damage cells.
So, the next time you head out, be sure to put on some sunscreen. A simple change in your daily habits can potentially have a lifelong impact. Being prepared with sunscreen can help make your summer more enjoyable and smart.