Sunscreen is an essential part of your skincare routine but, despite its importance, there are a variety of things that aren’t widespread in the media, and many people aren’t totally sure about how to use sunscreen. If you’re wondering how regularly you need to wear your sunscreen, here is your answer sheet.
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Do I need to wear sunscreen every day?
There are lots of different things worth knowing about your sun protection products, but the most important ones are about how you use them, as these affect how well the product can actually work to shield your skin. Among this category of information, how regularly you apply your sunscreen, and whether you need it every day, are also important.
The short answer to the question above is yes, you do need to wear a sunscreen every day, and there are many different reasons for this. However, the simplest explanation (just as any other reason will lead to) is that whenever it is light outside, the Sun is hard at work, emitting its UV rays into the Earth’s atmosphere, and this is what causes sun damage to your skin.
Every time you go outside into this light, you are exposing yourself to the harmful UV rays and, while there’s nothing wrong with going outside in itself, in fact you should go outside as a part of a healthy lifestyle, it’s important to be protected. However, don’t be fooled as going outside isn’t the only way you can expose your skin to UV rays – you can also receive damage from indirect sunlight exposure, such as through a window.
Basically, any time that there is a slight possibility of any natural light making its way to your skin, you should be wearing a sunscreen, to protect yourself and prevent any unnecessary damage.
What are the advantages of wearing a sunscreen every day?
There are so many advantages of wearing a sunscreen every day, and it’s something which is actually really important for you to remember in order to prevent problems and skin concerns in the future, as well as health-related issues. Here are some of the main advantages of wearing a sunscreen every day:
- Reduced chance of developing melanoma: there have been so many studies over the years which show a positive correlation between amount of sun exposure whilst skin is unprotected, or the amount of sun damage endured by your skin, when compared to the chances and numbers of people who have developed melanoma in their later life. Melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer, and you can reduce your chances of developing it in the future just by protecting your skin well and avoiding any skin cell damage caused by sun exposure.
- Reduced effects of aging: although it can be difficult to put together in your head when you first hear it, sun exposure enhanced your effects of aging, if you’re already experiencing fine lines or wrinkles, and it can cause premature aging as well as heightened signs of aging in the future. Most people are constantly looking for ways to reduce their signs of skin aging, and you can prevent these in the first place just by wearing a sunscreen every day.
- Reduced pigmentation: of course, everyone knows that the Sun and its powerful rays are responsible for your holiday suntan, but they can also do other things for your skin which you may not have considered before. One of the biggest issues which often stems from sun over-exposure is hyperpigmentation in certain areas of the skin on the face, such as in areas which have thinner layers of skin.
Also read:
7 Things A Sunscreen Does to Your Skin (Explained)
Do You Need Sunscreen When It’s Cloudy? (Explained)
Disadvantages of wearing sunscreen every day
While there shouldn’t be anything to draw you away from wearing your sunscreen every day, as it is the only product capable of protecting your skin to the level it does, there are also some downsides that come with wearing it every day. Unfortunately, most sunscreens aren’t perfect, but neither are other cosmetic products.
While there is a list which follows, containing some of the disadvantages of wearing a sunscreen every day, please do remain aware that this is just for informational purposes, and let you know how to modify your skincare routine to adapt to a daily sunscreen application. It doesn’t mean you should see these disadvantages as reasons for not wearing a sunscreen every day.
- Your pores can get clogged by some sunscreen products, do find one labelled as ‘non-comedogenic’ in order to avoid this.
- You may experience a little dryness on your skin, and you can cancel this out by finding a moisturising sunscreen or using a more effective moisturiser.
- The surface of your skin can sometimes feel a little greasy, but you should find a new sunscreen which doesn’t feel like this if it bothers you.
- 3-fluid ounce bottle of Neutrogena Liquid Face& Body Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 55 for acne prone skin. Stabilized with Helioplex technology and featuring the active ingredient avobenzone, it provides superior UVA/UVB protection.
- Sunscreen lotion from #1 dermatologist-recommended sun care brand has a water-light texture that leaves a weightless, matte finish and allows skin to breathe while keeping any unwanted skin problems at bay
- 2-fluid ounces of Aveeno Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Face Sunscreen lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 50 to help protect facial skin from the sun's damaging UVA and UVB rays dries sheer on skin with a matte finish and layers invisibly under makeup
- Specially formulated for sensitive skin, this sheer mineral sunscreen is made with naturally-sourced 100% zinc oxide active ingredient, vitamin E, feverfew and nourishing oat and is gentle on the eye area and facial skin
- 2.5-fluid ounce bottle of Aveeno Positively Radiant Sheer Daily Moisturizer to transform dry skin into naturally radiant skin
- Clinically proven moisturizer contains Total Soy Complex and broad spectrum SPF 30 UVA/UVB sun protection to even skin tone and texture in just 4 weeks and works to fight the signs of early skin aging and reduce the look of dark spots.
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Are there any circumstances when I don’t need to wear sunscreen?
Although we’ve mentioned that you need to wear sunscreen every day, this is just a general rule, and it’s not something that is completely flawless, as there are some circumstances when you won’t need to be wearing a sunscreen, but these are exceptions, and if you’re ever in doubt, wearing sunscreen still remains the better option.
One of the most common circumstances when you won’t need to wear a sunscreen is in the evening. After you have showered, washed your face or prepared in any way you might for a night out, or to leave the house in the evening, there’s no need to re-apply your sunscreen as you normally would, as long as the sun has set, and you won’t be exposing your skin to any ultraviolet light.
In addition to this, any circumstance when it is dark outside, or there is no way of any indirect sunlight creeping its way into your environment, such as whilst you’re asleep, is a time when you don’t need to wear a sunscreen.
Final thoughts
The best rule to remember is that you do need to wear a sunscreen every day and it will bring many benefits along with its use for your skin and prevent problems in the future. However, there is no need to wear a sunscreen when it is dark outside, and obviously not whilst you’re asleep!
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