You may have read the best skin care routines and seen everyone discussing applying sunscreen daily. Have you ever wondered why they are all adamant about it? The truth is that your skin is the largest organ exposed to environmental factors like sun rays, weather, and pollution. It is important to protect it against all of these, especially from harmful sun rays. 

If you are curious about sunscreen and its uses or benefits, you are at the right place. This blog will explain sunscreen's benefits and the right use. Let's get started. 

What is Sunscreen?

A sunscreen is a lotion, spray, or gel that you apply to your skin to protect it from the harmful rays emitted by the Sun. These rays are called UV rays, and when they penetrate your skin, they break down the collagen and elastin fibres, leading to speedy skin ageing. A sunscreen works by either absorbing or reflecting these rays, helping to prevent sunburn, premature ageing, and skin cancer.

What is SPF?

SPF—Sun Protection Factor measures how well a sunscreen protects your skin from UV rays. Applying sunscreen with a specific SPF extends the time your skin can be exposed to the sun without getting sunburn. For example, if your skin usually burns after 10 minutes, an SPF 30 sunscreen would theoretically allow you to stay in the sun for 300 minutes (or 30 times longer) before burning. However, it's important to reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating to maintain protection.

How Does Sunscreen Protect You?

Sunscreen protects your skin using ingredients designed to shield you from harmful sun rays. These ingredients may be grouped into two categories. 

Chemical Sunscreens

They work by absorbing the sun's rays, like a sponge absorbing water. Common ingredients include avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octisalate. All these soak up UV rays before they penetrate your skin and cause damage. 

Physical/Mineral Sunscreens

This type of sunscreen acts as a shield by creating a barrier on your skin that reflects the sun's rays. Their ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. 

Benefits of Applying a Sunscreen Daily

Do you reserve sunscreen for sunny or beach days only? It is not right. Even if there is no Sun outside, its harmful UV rays are still scattered all over the environment. Daily use of sunscreen offers various benefits. They include:

Prevents Sunburn

While sunburn may seem a temporary concern, it may cause lasting skin damage. Repeated sunburns increase your risk of skin cancer and speed up your skin's ageing process. Daily use of sunscreen helps you avoid sunburn by creating a shield on your skin that reflects or absorbs the harmful rays before they penetrate. 

Slows Down Premature Ageing

Your skin ages every day, but when exposed to the sun, the ageing process speeds up because of the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibres, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. Therefore, the most compelling reason to apply sunscreen is its ability to protect your skin from premature ageing as it reflects the bad rays, causing skin damage. 

Reduces Risk of Skin Cancer

Applying sunscreen daily significantly reduces the risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma, the most dangerous type. UV radiation is a major risk factor for skin cancer, and by consistently protecting your skin with sunscreen, you lower your chances of this life-threatening disease. Remember, skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of skin tone, so daily protection is crucial.

Helps Prevent Sun-Induced Dark Circles

Sun exposure may increase the appearance of dark circles by causing hyperpigmentation on the sensitive skin around your eyes. Daily sunscreen helps protect the skin around your eyes from UV rays, reducing the chances of developing dark circles or worsening existing ones. Buy best eye serum and pair it with sunscreen to minimise dark circles and keep the skin around your eyes looking bright and refreshed.

Avoid Flare-Ups of Certain Skin Conditions

If you have skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, cutaneous lupus, or rosacea, it's important to choose a sunscreen suitable for your condition. Medications for these conditions, like doxycycline and hydrochlorothiazide, can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Applying sunscreen helps protect your skin from triggers and prevent flare-ups.

Minimise Blotchy Appearance Of Skin

Ultraviolet rays from the sun cause small blood vessels in your face to expand making them appear larger and dilated. This results in red or purple and blotchy skin that may be difficult to get rid of. When you use sunscreen daily, it creates a barrier that reflects these harmful rays and helps prevent swelling of these blood vessels. It further reduces the likelihood of developing noticeable purple or red skin spots. 

Now that you have discovered all these benefits—you may be convinced enough to use sunscreen daily and make it an integral part of your morning skin care routine. 

Bonus Tip: Check out this guide if you are wondering how to keep eyes healthy. 

What is the Right Way of Applying Sunscreen?

If you apply your sunscreen the right way, it doubles the benefits. Here is how to do it:

  • Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen (spf 30)
  • Apply it on your skin 30 minutes before leaving your house–let your skin absorb it.
  • Use an enough amount of sunscreen. For a better understanding , for adults you may apply a filler shot glass for your body and a quarter of that glass for your face. 
  • Apply on your lips, ears, scalp and any area that is exposed. 
  • Reply every two hours even after swimming. 

Now You Know the Importance of Sunscreen.

Adding it into your daily skincare routine is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your skin from sun damage. It shields your skin from harmful UV rays, presenting it from sunburn, premature ageing, reducing the risk of skin cancer. 

If you are curious about how to take care of your eyes,know that applying sunscreen to the delicate skin around in your eyes can minimise the appearance of sun-induced dark circles. 

To get the most out of your sunscreen, choose a broad-spectrum product with SPF 30 or higher, apply it generously to all exposed areas, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Even on cloudy days or when you're indoors, UV rays can still affect your skin, so daily application is key. So, don't skip this crucial step—your skin will thank you!