Contrary to popular belief, sunscreen isn’t just reserved for the summer. In fact, it should be incorporated into your daily routine year-round. Truth be told, sunscreen is the best defensive shield for your skin, as it not only protects against the sun’s harmful UV rays, but it also prevents premature aging such as wrinkles, sun spots and sagging skin.
When it comes to the skin, daily prevention from sun exposure is the best way to keep it healthy, soft and beautiful. Don’t believe us? Here are five reasons sunscreen is important year round.
1. Prevention of UV Exposure
Rain or shine, it’s always important to wear sunscreen. And, while it’s easy to assume that if you cannot see the sun, you don’t have to worry about sunscreen, this is not the case. Clouds are unable to block the sun from harming your skin. In fact, clouds only block roughly 20 percent of UV rays ﾖ so on a cloudy day, you are still being exposed to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful effects.
2. Prevention of Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers
A good sunscreen will help prevent the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the skin. Two types of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB, damage the skin, age it prematurely, and increase your risk of skin cancer. UVB is the culprit behind sunburn, while UVA rays, which more deeply penetrate the skin, are associated with wrinkling and other light-induced effects of aging. UVA can also intensify the carcinogenic effects of UVB rays, and are now being seen as an additional cause of skin cancer on their own.
3. Prevention of Sunburn
Sunburns weaken the skin, subjecting it more to bruising, swelling, peeling, hives or itching. And, this outcome is a direct effect from the influence of UVB rays. Not only are sunburns physically painful, but recurring sunburns can also put you at a higher risk of developing melanoma. That’s why it’s incredibly important to wear sunscreen on a daily basis.
4. Enhances Skin Health
Essential skin proteins such as collagen, keratin, and elastin can be protected through the daily application of sunscreen. These proteins are required for keeping the skin healthy, supple and smooth. When choosing a sunscreen, look for one that offers broad-spectrum coverage with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Why? Only broad-spectrum coverage can offer maximum UVA and UVB protection that will preserve the overall health of your skin.
5. Provides Better Protection than Clothing
Believe it or not, clothing does not safeguard your skin from the sun, and failure to apply sunscreen can be damaging. In fact, cotton, particularly when damp, offers zero sun protection. And though sun protection clothing can be an option, the best and most efficient way to block the sun from harming the skin through the direct application of sunscreen.
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