Is this the right sunscreen for me? It’s cloudy. Do I still need to wear my sunscreen? Which comes first – moisturizer or Sunscreen? I have a dark skin tone. Do I still need to wear sunscreen? I’m a teenager. Do I still need to wear sunscreen? With over one million products on the market, finding the answers and formulating a plan that works specifically for your skin type c

The sun sustains life on our planet, but it can be your worst skin’s enemy. While every sunburn can increase your risk of skin cancer, it’s not just those days at the beach or ballgame that cause trouble. Each time you run out for your daily tasks without sun protection also adds to the damage that can lead to skin cancer, dark spots, and wrinkles.

Sun damage accumulates even if you are only in the sun on your walk to and from work, running out to get the mail, or walking the dog; it can add up, day after day, year after year.

No single method of sun protection can protect you perfectly, though. That is why we created this couple of bits of advice for beautiful, healthy skin to adopt as many of these steps as possible into your lifestyle, and make them daily skincare routine everywhere you go, all year long.

What’s an SPF?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and the number tells how well the sunscreen protects skin against sunburn when using it compared with the amount of time without it. For example, if you use an SPF 15 sunscreen exactly as directed and applied generously and evenly, reapplied after two hours or after sweating or swimming, it will take you 15 times longer to burn than if you were not wearing it.

What’s Broad-Spectrum sunscreen?

The broad spectrum on a sun care label indicates that the sunscreen contains ingredients that effectively protect against UVA and UVB rays.

What are UV Rays?

UV radiation is part of the natural energy that the sun produces; the two types you might hear about the most regarding SPF protections are UVA and UVB rays:

• UVA has a longer wavelength that penetrates deeper into the skin layer; these rays are associated with skin aging.
• UVB has a shorter wavelength that has more of an effect on the top skin layers, and they are associated with skin burning.

Is wearing sunscreen prevents skin cancer? 

Sun damage accumulates; even if you are on your walk to and from work, it can add up day after day. So, aim to develop a good sun care routine for children to carry on into adulthood easily and safely!

Even if skin cancer rates are lower in people with dark skin, it still happens and can be potentially more dangerous because changes in moles or other pigmentation may not be easily noticed. So, it does not matter if your skin is white or dark, as even people with darker skin tones also need sunscreen.

How does the skin tan?

Beneath each layer of skin, there is a cell called Melanocyte that causes the tan. Melanocytes are classified into 2 types: Epidermal Melanocyte and Dermal Melanocyte. The type that works in the epidermis, where skin protector function exists. The type that works in the dermis layer where skin pigment is produced, giving your skin a healthy and natural tan colour. The UV rays from the sun stimulate those cells to form the brown pigment melanin as a defensive measure. It's our natural protective response to sunlight, naturally produced by your skin, absorbs UV radiation, and fights free radicals. 

But note that the ability to produce a tan or the natural skin color affects their susceptibility to skin damage.

Is Sunscreen the best anti-aging product?

Believe it or not, 90% of the signs of aging are caused by the sun; that's why sunscreen is the best anti-aging product. It protects you from premature aging and supports all the activities that make your skin look younger such as collagen synthesis, renewal of skin cells, and blood circulation. 

The collagen factory in your skin runs 24/7, producing collagen, recycling it, and renewing it. The production starts to function slower as we continue to age and with sun exposure.

What are the main reasons for sun allergies?

When you expose your skin to the sun, the ultra-violet rays in sunlight damage the skin's delicate structures. If these structures are damaged continuously, inflammation and scarring occur, which is what causes sun allergies.

For the most part, it’s individuals with sensitive skin affected, and it is not really dangerous but very unpleasant for all relevant people. We can avoid sun allergies with a balanced UVA/UVB sunscreen protection system, particularly high UVA protection and active cell protection agents in the product such as vitamin E, which can help to strengthen your skin’s barrier to sun exposure.

Using sunscreen, why don't I get as much tanned as without?

Many people think that a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) prevents tanning, and instead, they use products with lower SPF, but even with higher sun protection, you will tan. However, it will take longer, but it will be gentler to your skin. This is due to titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which are both what we refer to as physical blockers.