Why You Should Be Wearing Sunscreen
As we start to come into the sunnier summer months, many people start thinking about buying an SPF for the really hot days. However, did you know many experts actually recommend wearing sunscreen every single day – hail, rain, or shine. There are so many benefits of adding an SPF into your daily skincare routine. Even in a country like Ireland that is overcast a lot of the time, you are always being exposed to UV rays
Four benefits of wearing an SPF every day
1. Reduces the risk of skin cancer
First and foremost, using SPF daily greatly reduces the risk of being diagnosed with skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer here in Ireland and it is sadly a problem that is only getting worse. Nine out of 10 cases are caused by over exposure to UV rays caused by sunlight or sun beds. The good news is that this risk is greatly reduced by applying sunscreen every day
2. Helps prevent the signs of aging
We would all like to fight off aging and keep a youthful and healthy appearance for as long as possible. When it comes to fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet, SPF is the most effective way of combatting this. Lengthy exposure to the sun when you are unprotected prematurely ages your skin and results in the loss of collagen and skin elasticity.
3. Avoids Hyperpigmentation and blotchy skin
Hyperpigmentation refers to uneven colouring of the skin, where UV rays cause your skin to become discoloured and darkened in an inconsistent way. Some of this can be hereditary, but it can also be caused and worsened by sun exposure. Blotches or dark spots may appear on skin that is regularly exposed to the sun, like on your face and the hands. However, the good news is that the simple way to avoid this is to wear SFP all year round.
4. Avoid Inflammation and Redness
If you spend too much time in direct sunlight this summer, you will be at risk of getting sunburnt. Not only is this dangerous, it is painful and will cause great discomfort. Thankfully, sunscreen defends the skin against UV rays by absorbing and scattering the sunlight. Even the mildest of sunburns can have damaging effects
How to get the most from your SPF
Use a minimum of factor 30 when picking your SPF
Experts recommend using a minimum of factor 30 as this is the minimum SPF that you can use to get all the benefits of reducing the harm cause by UV rays.
Check the expiry date
It is always good to keep an eye on the expiration date of your bottle to ensure you are not using SPF that has gone past its use by date. Sometimes it’s easy to gather a collection of half-used bottles from each summer. In this case, you should try to use the one with the closest expiration date. If the consistency of your sunscreen changes, it is probably best to replace it with a new bottle.
Reapply regularly
If you are in direct sunlight on a warm day, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours. If you are wearing makeup, you can reapply over your make up using a beauty blender. This also applies if you are particularly active, as sweat can remove some of the SPF you applied that morning. You should also take some SPF with you in your bag in case you need to re-apply at any stage throughout the day. Better safe than sorry!
Choose the right sun screen for you
There are many variants of sunscreen out there, so it’s hard to know what is right for you. Spray sunscreens may seem like the most convenient, but it is worth noting that cream sunscreens can offer a more thorough coverage when applied to the face, ears, neck, and hands.
Pay attention to how your skin reacts to different formulas, as some work better for oily skin and others work better for drier skin. Skin also changes over time, so what works best for you now may not work as well in the future. You should take note and adapt to what your skin needs over time.
