The benefits of sunscreen are amazing for your skin health. They include preventing hyperpigmentation, sunburn, skin redness, uneven skin, skin cancer, wrinkles, premature aging, dull looking skin.

What is sunscreen?

Sunscreen is referred to as sunblock or suncream. It is an external photoprotective topical product for the skin that mainly shields, absorbs, defends against the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiations. Which helps protect against sunburn and most importantly prevents skin cancer.

Examples of sunscreen

Sunscreens come as lotions, sprays, gels, foams, sticks, powders, and other topical products. Sunscreens are common supplements to clothing for your skin, particularly sunglasses, sun hats and special sun protective clothing, and other forms of photoprotection (such as umbrellas.

 What are the Benefits of sunscreen?

The skin benefits of sunscreen are as follows:

1. Reduce Your Risk Of Skin Cancer

Sunscreen helps protects your skin from Sun damage and reduces your risk of developing skin cancer and skin pre-cancers.

According to the American cancer society, Most skin cancers are a result of exposure to UV rays in sunlight. Both basal cell and squamous cell cancers (the most common types of skin cancer) tend to be found on sun-exposed parts of the body, and their occurrence is typically related to lifetime sun exposure.

Applying SPF in conjunction with other sun protection behaviors – like wearing dark clothing and sunglasses – reduces the harmful effects of sun exposure. In fact, the Skin Cancer Foundation claims that applying sunscreen with an SPF factor of 15,  reduces your chance of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 40% and your melanoma risk (the deadliest skin cancer) by 50%.

2. Protect Against Sunburn

The benefit of sunscreen are protection. The sunlight consists of UVA and UVB rays which are harmful to your skin. UVA rays (also used in tanning booths) are mainly linked to long-term skin damage like the formation of wrinkles. Both are associated with skin cancers. Sunburns are painful,  According to Healthline: “Even a single sunburn can increase a person’s risk of skin cancer. This is because when the skin absorbs ultraviolet radiation from sunlight, it can damage the genetic makeup in your skin cells. Fortunately, sunscreen defends the skin against UV rays by absorbing, reflecting or scattering them.

3. Avoid Inflammation & Redness

Prolonging time in the sun will result in Skin blemishes,  melasma, sunburn, severe skin reddening, and inflammation of the skin. According to Medical News Today: “The ultraviolet rays from the sun damage the skin, which turns red as the body directs more blood to the affected area to repair the damage.”

4. Prevent  Wrinkles, Creases & Fine Lines

Wearing sunscreen prevents wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet. This is because your skin is protected from sun damage that can trigger skin irritations and problems in the long run.

Exposure to UVA rays causes premature aging and also compromise your skin elasticity (collagen).

5. Avoid Blotchy Skin & Hyperpigmentation

When your skin is exposed to the sun, you’re not far from having a skin tan. This will either give you uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation(skin discoloration).

Your skin may have different shades that are not even. Blotchy skin or dark spots may spring up on the face, hands, and other parts of the body regularly exposed to the sun. The benefit of sunscreen are wearing sunscreen 24/7.

6. Stop DNA Damage

Scientific studies have found that sunlight induces DNA damage and can trigger skin carcinogenesis and photoaging.

Studies state: “Many of the deleterious human health effects that result from sunlight exposure are associated with a chain of events that begins with the formation of DNA damage.

These lesions can lead to inflammatory and immunosuppressive processes in the epithelial tissue as well as accelerated aging and tumor development.”

when you need to wear SPF

You need to wear sunscreen every day at least 2 -3 times daily in all seasons. Whether its is winter, summer, or springtime.

What SPF Is Best For Everyday Use?

Look for “broad spectrum.” sunscreen with an SPF of 15 and above. This tells you that the formula protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Next, check the sun protection factor (SPF) number that rates the sunscreen’s effectiveness in blocking UV rays.

How to apply and store sunscreen?

Wear sunscreen 15 minutes before you go out of your home. This allows the sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) to have enough time to provide the maximum benefit.

Use enough like the size of a pea on your finger to cover your entire face (avoid your eyes and mouth). For the body, an average-sized adult or child needs at least one ounce of sunscreen (about the amount it takes to fill a shot glass) to evenly cover the body from head to toe.

What sunscreen should I use daily?

For daily use, select a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you spend time outdoors, choose a product with SPF 60 or greater. In reality, most people do not use as much sunscreen as they should, and this higher SPF helps compensate for the reduced application.

Why does mineral sunscreen stay white?

The white cast left on your skin after wearing is the result of the sun-reflective ingredients composition in the sunscreen, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide — which do not get absorbed into the skin. Instead, they stay on the skin’s surface so that they reflect the effect of the sunlight from not penetrating into your skin.

What are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide?

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are two naturally occurring minerals with broad-spectrum. When applied topically, they have the ability to block the sun’s UVA and UVB radiation from being absorbed into your skin.

Types of sunscreen

• Chemical sunscreen
• Mineral sunscreen

Skin cancer foundation advise
a comprehensive approach to protecting yourself against harmful UV radiation.

That’s because UV radiation from the sun isn’t just dangerous, it’s also sneaky. Not only can it cause premature aging and skin cancer, it reaches you even when you’re trying to avoid it

How Do Chemical and Mineral Sunscreens Work?

Chemical and mineral sunscreens shield your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays in very different ways.

Mineral sunscreen [ingredients], zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide, are small particles that sit on the skin’s surface and physically prevent UV rays from penetrating the skin. You can also apply mineral sunscreens on top of other skin-care products

Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, allow UV light into the skin. Once the light is absorbed into the skin, the chemicals in the sunscreen (the AAD lists oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate) create a chemical reaction in which UV light is converted to heat, and the heat dissipates from the skin.

Is sunscreen good to wear every day?

Yes, it is very good for maintaining healthy youthful skin. If you want to avoid premature aging, uneven skin tone, skin discoloration, and worse of it all skin cancer, always protect your skin with a good sunscreen.

Can sunscreen improve your skin?

Wearing sunscreen helps improve your overall skin texture and not just your complexion prevents Skin from darkening due to melanin. When your skin is protected from sun’s Uv rays, your skin will definitely be healthy and good-looking.

Can sunscreen glow the skin?

Good sunscreen provides protection and can glow your skin as well. Korean sunscreen provides such extra benefits.

Ingredients of sunscreen

Tinosorb S and M,  Mexoryl SX , Oxybenzone,  Octinoxate , Avobenzone,  Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, PABA and trolamine.

What is SPF?

Spf stands for sun protection factor is a measure of how much UVB light a sunscreen can filter out.

What are the disadvantages of sunscreen?

Chemical Sunscreens can cause skin allergies such as skin irritation such as redness, swelling, irritation, and itching. Some people develop severe allergic reactions with rashes and intense itching. This allergic reaction can be the result of artificial compounds that makeup found in sunscreens like perfumes, additives, and preservatives.

Is it healthy to wear sunscreen every day?

This is the right thing to do, it is recommended you wear good sunscreen daily and not just use it but apply the right amount to protect and cover your skin that is often exposed to the sun.

What are the bad effects of sunscreen?

You could have skin rashes, itching skin if your skin is sensitive or allergic to any of the ingredients in the sunscreen.

When sunscreen doesn’t work?

If a sunscreen is not working for you it’s either it has expired or is a bad brand. Get another good brand. There’s no point in using a sunscreen that is meant to protect your skin but is not doing that. I recommend skin aqua(Korean), super goop, gravia. These are good examples of excellent sunscreen you can buy in your stores out there.

When sunscreen should be applied?

There is no rule in the order of how you must apply your sunscreen. You can apply it before or after moisturizing or even before wearing makeup. Do whatever makes you comfortable but the important thing is that you’re using sunscreen and applying the right amount to protect and preserve your skin. You can apply 3-5 times daily depending on how long you stay out in the sun due to your job.

Why is it important to use sunscreen daily?

Because your skin can get damaged and you don’t want that. Skin cancer is real among other skin problems. For healthy and healthier skin, sunscreen is compulsory.

Is sunscreen safe for daily?

Your skin is safer and healthier with the daily use of sunscreen. There is no risk that can be harmful to your skin.

Does sunscreen lighten the skin?

To an extent it does but not like the way other skincare product does. Since it protects and prevents UV rays from penetrating your skin, hence preventing skin discoloration and skin darkening. Maintaining your complexion becomes easy and even tone.

Why use sunscreen?

It is one of the simplest ways to great skin and preserve skin in the long run.

Benefits of sunscreen on black skin

There is no exception to the skin type that should or should not be wearing a sunscreen. It is important for all skin types and colors. Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays can help decrease your risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen also helps prevent hyperpigmentation and premature skin aging, including wrinkles, sagging, and age spots.

Benefits of sunscreen for oily skin

You don’t want to add more grease to your oily face. Find a water-based and non-cloging sunscreen for your skin. Oily skin also needs to shield the skin with sunscreen that reflects UV radiation and serves as a barrier against damage.

How can I protect my skin without sunscreen?

Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight by wearing cotton clothing, use of umbrellas, wearing hats, sunglasses or shades, and stockings for feet protection.