The Importance of Sunscreen

It is so important to wear sunscreen 365 days a year. Yes, even in the winter. Yes, even when it’s overcast and raining.

Sunscreen plays an important role in protecting our skin from harmful UV rays that can cause the breakdown of collagen and elastin, hyperpigmentation, redness, sunburns, and even skin cancer.

UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows, and reflect off of surfaces such as water and snow which actually intensifies their effects.

Wearing sunscreen every single day is essential in protecting our skin and being prevention of accelerated aging, and skin cancer.

It is always recommended to wear sunscreen with an SPF between 30+. Some makeup and moisturizers contain a low SPF which may not be enough protection, so making sure to apply that extra layer of dedicated sunscreen so we are taking the effective steps to maintaining beautiful, healthy skin.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor which is a rough measurement of the percent of UVB protection. UVB rays cause sunburns and contribute to skin cancer. While SPF doesn’t measure protection from UVA rays, they are still damaging and harmful to the skin. UVA rays are the skin aging rays. So you will want to make sure your sunscreen is rated Broad Spectrum to be sure you are getting protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

SPF 15: blocks 93% of UVB rays

SPF 30: blocks 97% of UVB rays

SPF 50: blocks 98% of UVB rays

SPF 100: blocks 99% of UVB rays

Not only do we need to remember to apply sunscreen daily, but also to reapply throughout the day, especially if you are going to be spending extended periods exposed to the sun. Proper and repeated application of sunscreen is important.

Always remember, sunscreen will be the last step in your morning skincare routine, before your make-up application.