Welcome, skincare folks, to this informative blog post about the importance of sunscreen. Yep, this one might get a little technical, so hold on to your hats, get a refreshing drink, and let's get into this goodness.
With summer here, I know how much I look forward to spending time outdoors, soaking up the sun, and enjoying all the summer has to offer. There's no denying it's an exciting time, but in all the fun, it can be easy to forget the damaging effects of the sun on our skin.
So, let's dive deeper into why sunscreen is necessary for a skincare routine, the differences between UVA and UVB rays, and how SPF works.
Ready? Let's get to it.
So, unless you've been hiding under a rock, chances are you've heard the terms UVA and UVB rays, and you may wonder what they are?
UV rays are invisible and can harm our skin and health.
UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply and can cause premature aging, whereas UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and skin damage.
These rays can cause skin cancer, wrinkles, sunspots, and other skin damage. Which is why you hear about the importance of wearing sunscreen to protect your skin so much.
So, what does SPF mean anyway?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, describing how well a sunscreen can protect our skin from such UVB rays.
It is essential to know sunscreen does not block all UV rays; instead, it helps reduce the amount of UVB rays that can damage your skin.
The higher the SPF level, the more protection you have against UVB rays.
SPF 15 provides 93% protection.
SPF 30 provides 97% protection,
SPF 50 provides 98% protection.
How do you choose the right factor for your needs?
When choosing a sunscreen, you may have noticed the term "Broad Spectrum" on the label.
This means the sunscreen can protect your skin against both UVA and UVB rays.
While SPF protects only against UVB rays, Broad Spectrum sunscreen products protect against both types of rays, which is critical for skin health.
A broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher can protect our skin from 97% of the sun's harmful rays.
One common myth is that people of color do not need to wear sunscreen because the melanin in our skin provides natural protection.
But that is not true.
Regardless of skin color, everyone should wear sunscreen regularly because UV rays can penetrate our skin and cause lasting damage.
Darker skin may not burn as easily, but we can still develop sunspots, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, or worse, skin cancer.
It's important to note we must use sunscreen all year round, not just in the summer. This should be a staple year-round in your routine.
Even on overcast days, up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate our skin and cause damage. That's why wearing sunscreen is vital in protecting our skin, even when we are indoors most of the time.
And if you are using active skincare ingredients; antioxidant serums, retinol, chemical exfoliators - your skin will be more susceptible to those UV rays and increase your chances of sun sensitivity, so sunscreen is especially essential!
In conclusion, sunscreen protects your skin from the sun's damaging effects, including premature skin aging, dark spots, and skin cancer. The higher the SPF, the more protection you have against UV rays.
Opting for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is recommended. It's essential to remember to wear sunscreen all year round and not just during summer.
Sunscreen is a necessary part of our daily skincare routine; protecting your skin should be your top priority.
So, skincare folks, don't forget to use sunscreen daily and stay protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays!
Check our Throwing Shade, our Shawishi sunscreen hero. Delivering 100% broad-spectrum mineral sun protection with a blend of fatty acids to maintain the skin's lipid barrier. No white cast, only skin-soothing goodness.