Sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. In fact, outside of avoiding the sun entirely, it’s the best way to prevent harmful UV ray exposure and keep your skin healthy and happy from skin damage.
But should you wear sunscreen everyday? The answer might surprise you.
Dermatologists across the board do recommend wearing sunscreen every day, no matter what the weather looks like. Let’s explore how UV rays work, how wearing sunscreen daily combats them, and the importance of using the right sunscreen in the right way, every single day.
WHY IS APPLYING SUNSCREEN DAILY IMPORTANT?
Daily Sunscreen is the best tool available to block harmful UVA and UVB rays, which the sun emits every day. These harmful rays damage your skin on a cellular level, potentially leading to a number of major health concerns.
Sunscreen works by creating a barrier between these UV rays and your skin, thus keeping you safe from:
- Skin cancer risk
- Premature aging
- Sunburns and scarring
- Skin discoloration
- Leathery and dry skin
- Suppression of your immune system
Of course, you’ll only get the most out of your sunscreen if you know the right kind to use and how to use it properly, which we’ll get to in a bit.
UV EXPOSURE 101The sun emits three types of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Fortunately for us, the ozone layer blocks out 99% of UVC rays. By comparison, it blocks around 90% of UVB rays and 50% of UVA rays.
This may make UVA rays seem like the biggest concern, but in reality, the 5% of UVB rays that get through are a major factor in both sunburns and the development of skin cancer. Both contribute to health scares and issues, though.
While the ozone offers some protection, sunscreen offers another, invaluable layer, blocking upwards of 90% of UV rays when used properly.
It’s also important to note that UV radiation can penetrate through the atmosphere in almost any weather, including:
- Cloudy or rainy days
- Snowy days
- During the fall and winter months
However, you don’t need to worry about protecting your skin at night when the sun has set.
THE ROLE OF SUNSCREEN IN ANTI-AGING
You may be familiar with the worst dangers of sun damage (e.g. skin cancer), but did you know that sun exposure can also cause your skin to age faster? Studies show that people with more unprotected sun exposure have older-looking skin, regardless of their actual age.
Photoaging, or sun damage, can have several noticeable effects on the skin, including:
- Rough and uneven skin texture
- Wrinkling
- Pigmentation changes (age spots, liver spots)
- Decreased elasticity of the skin resulting in sagging and drooping
- Blotchiness or redness
Though it’s possible to reduce or rectify most of these issues through plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures, it’s better—and less expensive—to avoid them entirely. This is especially true when the best method of protection is as simple as applying sunscreen.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUNSCREEN FOR DAILY USE
When choosing a sunscreen, you want to look at several factors. When combined, these factors will help you choose the sunscreen that will provide you with what you need.
SPF
You don’t need much more than SPF 30, as this blocks 97% of UV radiation. As SPF gets higher, the percentage of protection doesn’t grow much, making SPF 30 the best option for the price point. (Note to keep an eye out for broad-spectrum sunscreens which protect from both UVA and UVB rays.)
Mineral vs. chemical
Mineral sunscreens have a thicker texture and are generally harder to rub in, but they’re better for sensitive skin. They work by reflecting the sun’s rays with physical material. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, need about 20 minutes to soak into the skin. They work by absorbing UV radiation instead of reflecting it.
Future activities
If you’ll be working out, sweating, or swimming, you’ll want to find a waterproof sunscreen that will protect your skin longer between applications.
Regardless of how strong your SPF is, you’ll still need to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day. If you aren’t sweating or in the water, reapply every 2 hours. If you’re working out or spending a lot of time in intense sunlight, applying it every 40 to 80 minutes is best.
DISCOVER A NEW STEP IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
So, should you wear sunscreen everyday? The answer is a resounding yes. Though it might seem like an unnecessary additional step in your skincare routine, wearing sunscreen every day is incredibly important for the long-term health and look of your skin.
Seven:Thirty makes it easy to add sunscreen to your daily routine. Our broad-spectrum Daily Habit SPF 30 sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays with an antioxidant-rich formula that’s gentle enough for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Look into Seven:Thirty’s ultra-protective and nourishing sunscreen today to elevate your skincare routine and maintain healthy, beautiful skin.
Sources:
American Medical Association. What doctors wish patients knew about sunscreen. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-wearing-sunscreen
National Cancer Institute. Most American Adults Do Not Use Sunscreen Regularly. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2015/no-sunscreen
UN environment programme. Ozone and You. https://ozone.unep.org/ozone-and-you
Yale Medicine. Photoaging (Sun Damage). https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/sun-damage