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Sunscreen is sacrosanct for your skincare routine. Period! It's not just a cosmetic product, but an unknown secret to achieving youthful and healthy skin.
However, while most people know the importance of wearing sunscreen before stepping out on a sunny day, it is also necessary to understand that you need to wear sunscreens throughout the year, be it summer or winter.
But why, you may ask! We have the answer.
If you have ever had doubts about the daily usage of sunscreens, here are 5 benefits of sunscreen that can help transform your skin.
Advantages of sunscreen
Protection from UV Rays:
The harmful UV rays are always present, whatever the season. Moreover, they can penetrate glasses and can harm you through clouds and snow, which makes wearing sunscreen crucial. Sun defense creams block these harmful rays, forming a barrier between you and the sun.
Sunscreen application can reduce the risk of sunburns, dark spots, tanning, and even skin cancer. However, when you pick a sunscreen, ensure that it is broad spectrum and has an SPF of 35 or more. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) represents the strength of sunscreen by indicating the amount of sunburn protection for you.
Prevents premature aging of the skin:
Experts believe that regular usage of sunscreen is the easiest way to get glowing and youthful skin. Sun damage is one of the key reasons for photoaging of the skin leads to premature aging. Intense exposure to sun rays can give your skin a thick, leathery look and discoloration, leading to signs of aging like fine lines, sagging, and wrinkles. It can also make your skin more prone to hyperpigmentation and melasma.
To avoid these harmful skin conditions and make your skin look radiant and youthful, it is advised to wear sunscreen daily.
Helps maintain an even skin tone:
One of the lesser-known benefits of sunscreen application is its brightening effects on your skin’s health. Sun creams can help prevent discoloration, freckles, tanning, and dark spots caused due to sun damage. Sunscreens enriched with ingredients like niacinamide, cica, green tea etc., also help maintain the sebum production in your skin, leaving behind a smoother and even skin tone all year round.
Reduces risk of cancer:
If there is one advantage of sunscreen that you should always remember, let it be this: sunscreens save you from skin cancer.
While there are many harmful effects of not wearing sunscreen, being susceptible to skin cancers is the worst. Thanks to ozone layer depletion, you are at higher risk of suffering from skin cancer, especially if you have a history of sunburn or blisters, have sensitive skin, or even if your skin is overexposed to harmful sun rays. Sunscreens can significantly reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, like, melanoma by forming a protective shield over your skin.
Moreover, UV rays are equally harmful to all skin types. Whether you have a fairer skin tone or a darker complexion, it's crucial to protect your skin against sun rays to avoid severe skin concerns.
Healthy skin overall:
Skin is in its healthiest version when you use sunscreen. Essential proteins in the skin like keratin are protected when sunscreen is applied. These proteins are primarily responsible for keeping the skin smooth and healthy both in appearance and function. Moreover, sunscreens containing ingredients like vitamin E and squalane, further nourish your skin, leaving behind plump, healthy skin.
Explore sunscreens for every skin type
While using it every day is crucial, you must choose the right product. Look for factors like broad spectrum, PA +++, SPF 35, and more while buying sunscreen.
Also look for additional filters like new-gen filters that can provide better protection and are less likely to cause any skin irritation. A lightweight consistency, dewy finish, and likewise is an added advantage. Here are some of the best sunscreens that you should try.
One of the best hybrid sunscreens with SPF 50 PA +++, it is infused with hybrid UV-filters i.e. a blend of physical and chemical sunscreen filters that not only protect skin from harmful ultraviolet (UVA & UVB) rays but also from photoaging & tanning. While providing you the benefits of sun protection, niacinamide & rice water work to brighten skin & improve its texture. It feels super light on the skin and leaves no white cast!
This sunscreen is a lightweight, quick-absorbing broad spectrum SPF 50 PA+++ sunscreen with UVA/UVB protection. It is packed with the safest, new generation UV filters, barrier-strengthening olive-derived squalane & nourishing Vitamin E.
This is a superlight daily sunscreen that offers a powerful broad spectrum SPF 50 PA+++ UVA & UVB protection. It features the safest, new generation UV filters coupled with the soothing Cica, hydrating Hyaluronic acid & the nourishing Allantoin that not only protects your skin but also soothes sun-induced damage. The feel you ask? Leaves no white cast, is non-sticky & water-light! It suits all skin types including oily & sensitive skin.
Infused with acne-fighting green tea, this SPF 35 PA+++ sunscreen for the face protects your skin from the harmful sun rays and suits normal to acne-prone skin.
Takeaway
Sunscreen is crucial for your skincare routine as it protects your skin against UV rays, prevents hyperpigmentation and sunburn, and saves you from skin cancer. While the benefits of sunscreen for face are many, the adverse effects of not wearing sunscreens are more. So slather up on sunscreens daily and say hi to healthy, glowing skin.
FAQ
1. How does sunscreen protect against skin aging?
UV radiation accelerates the aging process, causing wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Sunscreen guards against skin aging by forming a protective barrier against harmful UV rays. A broad spectrum sunscreen shields the skin from both UVA and UVB rays, preventing premature aging and keeping your complexion youthful.
2. Can sunscreen prevent skin cancer?
Yes, sunscreen plays a pivotal role in preventing skin cancer. Prolonged exposure to UV rays is a significant risk factor for skin cancers. Regular application of sunscreen reduces this risk by acting as a barrier, minimizing UV penetration. It's a simple yet effective step in your daily routine that can significantly contribute to the prevention of skin cancer.
3. Is sunscreen only necessary on sunny days?
No, sunscreen is essential every day, regardless of the weather. UV rays penetrate clouds, and even on overcast days, your skin is exposed to potential damage. To get the benefits of spf, make sunscreen a daily habit to protect your skin from the cumulative effects of UV radiation, ensuring a consistent shield against both visible and invisible sun threats.
4. Should sunscreen be applied on all exposed skin?
Yes. For complete protection, apply sunscreen to all exposed skin areas. This includes commonly overlooked spots like ears, neck, hands, and even the tops of your feet. The uniform application ensures that every inch of exposed skin is shielded, reducing the risk of sun damage and promoting overall skin health.
5. How often should sunscreen be reapplied?
To ensure that your skin gets the optimum advantage of sunscreens, reapply every three hours, or more frequently if you're swimming or sweating. This ensures a continuous shield against UV rays. Even if the label claims water resistance, it's a good practice to reapply after any water exposure to maintain the sunscreen's effectiveness.
