How sunscreen helps – The benefits

Reduce Aging Symptoms

Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, as recommended by Yale Medicine, is one way to avoid wrinkles and other photoaging signs on the face as the increased sun exposure. In addition to the increase of sunspots, photoaging can also make ones skin less elastic and rupture capillaries around the nose and chest.

Through their sun-blocking capabilities, both mineral and chemical sunscreens can stop the development of photoaging symptoms and their detrimental effects on your skin. The difference between Chemical Sunscreen and Mineral one is the way it absorbs and filters the sunlight. Strong ultraviolet (UV) radiation will be reflected by mineral sunscreens, which are served as a shield while chemical sunscreens will absorb these rays and turn them into heat through a chemical process.

Prevent Sunspots

Sunspots, which develop as a result of continuous sun exposure and are a warning of serious skin damage. People with fair skin and those who work or play outside without wearing sunscreen are most at risk for developing sun spots. These patches develop as you get older, but if you’ve been exposed to the sun a lot, your risk of developing a common skin condition called Actinic Keratosis (AK) is increased.

AK’s can occasionally be harmless but are unattractive. However, they frequently represent a squamous cell carcinoma or an early stage of the disease.

There are several places on the body where sunspots can develop:

Sunspots tend to appear on the parts of the body that are exposed to the sun most, such as the following:

• Face
• Shoulders
• Neck
• Arms
• Back
• Hands
• Scalp

Prevent Sunburn

Sunburn is a painful, red skin reaction that develops after too much sun exposure of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Sunburn can be caused by UV rays, which can get through clouds even on cloudy days. From 10 am to 4 pm, the sun’s UV rays are strongest.

Without a proper sun protection, it can lead to a painful burn which increases the appearance of sunspots and other skin damges. Additionally, sunburn can make you more likely to have skin cancer. It usually takes a few days or longer for a sunburn to cure, so it’s imperative to wear sunscreen at all times, even on colder, cloudy days.

It is understandable to head outside for some sunshine fun with family and friends, but remember to use sunscreen to avoid being sunburned.

Avoid Broken Blood Vessels

Besides sunburns, repeated sun exposure can lead to weak capillaries which are tiny blood vessels that have been harmed or dilated. Collagen is destroyed by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which also makes the capillaries on the skin’s surface more apparent. The skin responds to the damage from a persistent sunburn by healing itself and producing new capillaries. The skin will have less collagen than before after frequent sun exposure and healing itself, then gradually the capillaries will weaken or perhaps get injured.

Reduce the Risk of Skin Cancer

Wearing sunscreen is among the best strategies to lower your chances of developing skin cancer. The SPF of a broad-spectrum sunscreen should be at least 15, but the greater the number, the better the UV protection, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

How to use sunscreen properly?

Check the expiration date

Sunscreens may expire at least 3 years after their date of purchase. After the expiration date, the product can lose its effectiveness due to the change in color, odor, smell and consistency.

A watery consistency, separation, lumps or little pebbles, graininess, or grittiness of the sunscreen are telltale signs that it expired.

Choose the right sunscreen for your skin

• Pick a sunscreen that offers broad spectrum protection
• Make sure the sun protection factor (SPF) on your sunscreen is 30 or greater
• Consider your skin tone: either oily or dry skin
• Ensure that the item is water-resistant.
• Check the ingredients list on sunscreen products

When to apply sunscreen

As mentioned above, protecting the skin from over-exposure to the skin is a must to keep healthy and balanced skin.

1. Apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before going outside in the sun. This will allow the sunscreen to penetrate the skin and reduce the likelihood that it will wash off as you sweat.
2. After you’ve finished swimming or doing workout, don’t forget to towel off and reapply sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen when you are out in the sun for more than 2 hours
3. If you work outside, wear hats and sun protection throughout the day. Also, apply sunscreen frequently.

Should I use sunscreen at night?

For skin types prone to congestion and breakouts, some sun protection chemicals may clog pores—especially if you sleep on your stomach and your face is frequently in contact with your pillow at night. Additionally, because SPF is a bigger molecule, you don’t want it rubbing against your skin when you sleep at night, widening your pores.

Therefore, applying sunscreen during the day but always washing it off before bed is crucial for good skin maintenance. At night, you should use only a night cream designed for your skin type. In order to improve the function of the skin at this time of the day when it is regenerating itself, it is preferable to use a moisturizer with an integrated skin care composition.

Here of some particular reasons why you should not wear sunscreen at night anymore.

Not Enough Moisturizing

Although sunscreen can contain moisturizing chemicals, these substances do not have the same level of hydration as pure moisturizers designed for use at night.

Use a nightly moisturizer that offers your skin what it needs, without having to struggle through the SPF, which may function as a barrier to your skin becoming hydrated, in place of a sunscreen that is likely deficient in the hydrating components your skin needs at night.

Clogged Pores

Heavy chemicals found in sunscreens can clog pores and make your skin break out. Certain skin types are more prone to breakouts and congestion, and sleeping with your face on the pillow while using sunscreen will undoubtedly cause breakouts and congested pores.

Some sunscreens are non-comedogenic, designed to not clog pores, but they still contain heavy components. Your skin would benefit more from a lighter product that focuses more on hydration while you sleep.

Cost Money Over Time

Using sunscreen at night instead of a moisturizer can put more strain on your wallet than is necessary because sunscreens can be more expensive than bedtime moisturizers.

Since you probably won’t require SPF while you sleep and using sunscreen at night is likely to result in breakouts and even discomfort, it isn’t really worth the extra money.

No Extra Money For Other Necessary Ingredients

You would be able to choose a night cream that has ingredients good for your skin type and that will aid in your skin’s overnight rest and renewal. Not spending time & money on sunscreen for night will be the best choice so you can spend them on other crucial components.