HOW DOES SUNSCREEN WORK
I have mentioned the importance of sunscreen in a skin routine blog post previously. However, this post is to tell you why sunscreen is so essential.
What will happen if you eliminate the use of sunscreen from your life? (Please Don’t)
A good sunscreen will protect your skin from harmful UV rays. I know we all love some sunshine. But if you want to enjoy sunbathing, don’t forget your friend- The SPF.
These UV rays put you at risk of skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the US. 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.*
FDA advises people to apply sunscreen as well.
Are all sunscreen brands the same?
The answer is a loud NO. Do not pick a random sunscreen to use, assuming every sunscreen brand is the same.
IS SUNSCREEN SAFE TO USE?
WHICH IS A SAFE SUNSCREEN?
Read the label which mentions:
- BROAD SPECTRUM (Protects against UVA and UVB rays)
- Minimum 30 SPF. When outdoors, SPF 50 is good too in my opinion.
- Water-resistant or sweat-resistant is advisable but not necessary
Many sunscreens contain harmful chemicals like benzene. J&J recalled many sunscreen products because they found traces of benzene in their products. All the products were aerosols.
CHEMICAL VS PHYSICAL SUNSCREEN
There are chemical & mineral ( Also known as physical ) sunscreens. While the FDA has not labeled chemical sunscreen unsafe to use, some substances are used in them that could be harmful to health.
This research is ongoing and could be debatable, but mineral sunscreens are safer to use, in my opinion.
Look out for these ingredients on the label- Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
These ingredients act as a protective layer on the skin, preventing the UV rays from penetrating the skin.
DOES YOUR SUNSCREEN HAVE THESE INGREDIENTS?
The EWG has mentioned in this article that certain sunscreen chemicals are not very safe to use, yet hundreds of sunscreens have these chemicals in high concentrations.
You can also check how safe your sunscreen is here.
I browsed through the ingredients of many commonly used and famous sunscreens and was surprised to see that very few did not contain any ingredients listed in the unsafe high toxicity list.
Many cult-favorite brands have these chemicals in high concentrations in their products and are still sold as hot cakes.
Though all these chemicals are not 100% proven and could be a controversial debate, I would rather be safe than sorry.
In wake of sustainable tourism, many travel destinations including Hawaii and Aruba have banned the use of sunscreen because these harmful ingredients like oxybenzone damage the reef.
So, Yes, sunscreens are safe to use unless chosen incorrectly.
I would say not just sunscreen but any renowned well-marketed product could have harmful ingredients in them. So don’t judge a product based on mere customer ratings, price, and product image.
Read about the product briefly before buying. Check the ingredients as well.
REASONS TO WEAR SUNSCREEN
Ultraviolet radiation
Besides causing skin cancer, the harmful rays of the sun also cause pre-mature aging and pigmentation.
Sunscreen will prevent your skin from all the side effects. SPF ( Sun Protection Factor) also prevents sunburns and uneven skin tones.
Before spending a fortune on skin products to correct all skin concerns, invest in a good sunscreen.
Does sunscreen prevent tanning?
To some extent, it does. Sunscreen helps to address other factors more than prevention from tan.
SUN PROTECTION- But at what cost?!
Are you breaking out because of your sunscreen?
Buy an OILY FREE MATTE sunblock that is non-comedogenic ( would not block pores)
Making your skin greasy and oily?
Change your product. Buy a product according to your skin type.
Is sunscreen making your skin dry?
Use a moisturizer before applying sunscreen.
As you see, you might have plenty of reasons why you don’t want to use sunscreen. But the fact is that you are not choosing the product wisely.
ALL ABOUT SUNSCREEN
There are many myths about sunscreen, which makes people wary of making it a part of their skincare routine.
Crush it all, if you have any. If you have just one product to choose from in your skincare routine ( I know it is impossible), choose sunscreen!!
Don’t believe these sunscreen myths:
- Firstly this product is not gender bias. However, females tend to use sunscreen more than males. Every person should apply this on their skin irrespective of their gender.
- Many people tell me they have a darker skin tone, so there isn’t a need to apply sunscreen. Sunscreen does not guarantee protection from tanning. I tan despite wearing sunscreen. The exposure will be less, of course, in comparison to bare skin. But it will protect your skin from other harmful conditions.
- You cannot expect to work its magic by slathering it on once before stepping out and not re-apply despite being outdoor the entire day. It is not adequate to last an entire day. You have to re-apply every 2-3 hours. I know it is boring. But you love yourself, so you will do it!
- If your makeup products have SPF, it does not mean you can skip your sunscreen. It is not the same. As mentioned above in the article, just having SPF is not enough. I see various products which mention having SPF. What about broad-spectrum, eh?
- You have to use sunscreen even when it is overcast. 90% rays can still get to your skin.
The sunscreen has been my companion for years now. So yes, I know what a difference it makes to the skin.
The sun can be our friends as long as we have the shield to protect our skin. Especially between 10 am-4 pm, when the rays are the most powerful.
Just think, if I choose to write such an in-depth article on a mere sunscreen, how important it is!
According to research conducted in the US by RealSelf- ONLY 11% of US adults choose to use sunscreen daily, while 62% use anti-aging products daily. Laughable.
There needs to be more awareness about using sunscreens, especially with the high rate of skin cancer!
So, after all this talk about the friendly sun,
Did I convince you enough to be TEAM SUNSCREEN?! Give me a holler if yes.
*According to a skin cancer foundation.