What Is A Sunscreen?
Every day you go outside and your skin is subject to harmful UV rays. UV rays affect your skin whether it's sunny or cloudy, therefore it is imperative to protect your skin every single day with sunscreen.
Sunscreen is a topical product that protects against sun damage. Being consistent with sunscreen will preserve your skin health in the long term.
In this piece we will break down everything you need to know about sunscreen.
What Does A Sunscreen Do?
Sunscreen is an over-the-counter product used for sun protection and provides many benefits. The efficacy of sunscreens is measured by SPF or Sun Protection Factor.
The Sun Protection Factor measures how long it will take for UV rays to redden the skin when sunscreen is applied as directed.
For example, a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor 30 would take 30 times longer for your skin to burn during sun exposure. Sunscreen formulations combine multiple ingredients that help prevent penetration of UV rays.
What Types Of Sunscreens Are There?
Sunscreens are often separated into 2 different types:
- Mineral Sunscreen protects your skin by reflecting and absorbing the sun’s UV rays. This type of sunscreen is formulated with mineral particles such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that form a shield on skin.
- Chemical Sunscreen works by chemically absorbing UV rays and stopping them from penetrating the skin. This type of sunscreen contain synthetic compounds such as Avobenzone or Homosalate that transform UV rays into non-damaging forms of energy.
Benefits Of A Sunscreen
Using a sunscreen as a step in your everyday skincare routine will provide multiple benefits, prolonging the appearance of healthy skin, including:
- Helps keep your complexion even by preventing discoloration as a result of sun damage
- Provides UV ray protection and minimizes penetration of UV rays
- Helps minimize the visible signs of premature aging
- Reduces the risk of skin cancer, especially melanoma
- Preserves skin health overall by preserving essential proteins in the skin
Drawbacks Of A Sunscreen
Using sunscreen has many precautionary and immediate benefits. However, there are minor disadvantages that come with the product, such as:
- Oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin can experience more oil production or skin irritation after application
- Required reapplication for effective protection, adding inconvenience to your routine
- Sunscreen is not long lasting, especially after your skin is exposed to water or excessive sweating
- Some sunscreen formulas can leave a sticky residue or whitecast on your skin
Do I Really Need To Use A Sunscreen?
Yes, not using sunscreen is similar to not wearing a jacket during cold temperatures. Using sunscreen is crucial to maintaining the health of your skin.
Can Sunscreen Also Moisturize?
While some sunscreens have emollients and hydrating properties, they do not effectively moisturize your skin unless you are using a moisturizer with Sun Protection Factor.
Although it is enticing to use sunscreen as a moisturizer for time efficiency, it is not recommended.
Using a moisturizer with Sun Protection Factor is less effective than using a separate sunscreen and moisturizer because moisturizers only penetrate the top layer of skin.
Now that you have a better understanding of what a sunscreen is and how a sunscreen works, you can add it to your skincare regimen that will lead to great, healthy skin.
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