Back To Basics: 6 Benefits Of Sunscreen & Why You Should Wear It Everyday

Sunscreen can protect your skin and significantly reduce the risk of you developing skin cancers such as melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Also, applying sunscreen along with practicing other ways of sun protection, like wearing dark-coloured clothes, can help reduce the harmful effects of long sun exposure.

Lengthy exposure to the sun can result in blotchy, discoloured, and inconsistently darkened skin. This happens because UV rays damage pigment-producing cells called melanocytes which leads to the overproduction of melanin, causing hyperpigmentation or an uneven skin tone with dark or brown spots. Using sunscreen can help maintain an even skin tone throughout.

Sunburns are painful and can also increase a person's risk of developing skin cancer. An effective sunscreen blocks UVB rays which are responsible for causing sunburns and most skin cancers. Sunscreen can shield the skin from harsh UV rays by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering sunlight.

One of the most common causes of premature ageing is sun damage. Exposure to UVA rays can result in the loss of skin elasticity and collagen which further leads to fine lines, sagging, and wrinkles. To prevent early signs of ageing, one of the most effective ways is introducing SPF in your daily skincare routine.

Spending too much time in the sun can lead to severe skin reddening, inflammation, and radical damage to the skin. This can be especially challenging for people with sensitive skin. Wearing sunscreen every day helps prevent inflammation, rashes, and burns caused by harmful rays.

Applying sunscreen can help protect essential skin proteins such as collagen, keratin, and elastin. These proteins are vital to boosting skin health and maintaining smooth skin.

How much sunscreen should I use?

When it comes to sunscreen, more is more. It is always better to be generous when applying sunscreen and as a general rule of thumb, make sure you apply two finger lengths of the product. Remember to wear it even on cloudy days and when you are indoors. 

How often should I reapply sunscreen?

While sunscreens claim to be effective for more than two hours, it is advised to reapply it every 2-3 hours. For easy reapplication, here are the 5 best sunscreen sticks you can buy online.

At which stage of my skincare regime should I apply sunscreen?

It is recommended to apply sunscreen after moisturiser as a last step in your skincare routine. This will maximise your protection against the sun. Also, before you put your makeup on, give the sunscreen a moment to absorb properly.

Should I put sunscreen on my lips?

The skin on your lips is thin and thus more prone to skin cancers. Protecting and moisturising your lips after sun exposure is important and SPF lip balms are the easiest way to go about it. Check out tried and tested recommendations for SPF lip balms.

Isn’t makeup with SPF enough?

Makeup products with SPF may not offer enough broad-spectrum protection and anything less than SPF 30 isn't enough. The ideal way would be to apply sunscreen as a last step in your skincare routine and then layering the foundation on top if needed. Depending on how much coverage you want, you can consider replacing the foundation with a good tinted sunscreen, and here are our top picks.

Check out 15 of the best sunscreens for sun protection all year round.

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