Why Your Skin Will Love You for Wearing Sunscreen Every Day

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The days of laying out by the pool, slathered in oil, holding a reflector to your face are in the past. We now know how dangerous the sun can be, and how important it is to limit any exposure.

While a nice, even tan might be appealing, especially during those summer months when the sun is high and it seems so readily available, think twice before leaving the house without some kind of skin protection. A broad-spectrum sunscreen is advisable for any time spent outside.

The glow from a tan can be just as easily obtained from a bottle of fake tanner, and for a much lower cost to your skin!

If you’re not ready to ditch the tanning oil and trade it for sunscreen, continue reading. There are plenty of reasons why wearing sunscreen every day is the best thing you can do for your skin.

Sunscreen Protects You From UV Rays

UV rays, or ultraviolet rays, are harmful to the skin! UV rays are a form of radiation that comes straight from the sun. They’re a medium-energy form of radiation that falls somewhere on the scale between radio waves (which are quite low energy) and x-rays (which are very high energy).

This radiation comes in different forms. There are UVA rays, UVB rays, and UVC rays. UVA rays cause the least amount of damage, but still cause aesthetic issues in the skin. UVB rays will cause deeper skin damage and harm to the cells. UVC rays are rarely a threat from the sun, but they do interact with our ozone layer.

UV rays, among other things, can weaken the immune system. While there are benefits to light UV exposure (like vitamin D), it’s important to minimize this exposure as much as possible.

Sunlight is the most common source of UV rays for most people, so it’s important to remain protected from radiation.

You’ll Look Younger

UV rays (specifically UVA rays) cause surface damage to the skin. That damage is what causes wrinkles and discolorations.

Skin can grow thicker and more leathery. People with too much sun exposure will develop age spots earlier, and will likely have more problems with sagging skin.

Aging happens to everyone, and it isn’t meant to be glamourous. If you don’t wear sunscreen, though, you’re only speeding up the process for yourself.

Wearing Sunscreen Every Day Protects You From Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Most skin cancers are a result of exposure to the sun. UVB rays are capable of damaging skin cells to the extent that cancerous growth is possible.

Many of the risk factors associated with skin cancer involve activities that had put the patient in the sun in the past or previous skin damage from the sun (like sunburn). Wearing sunscreen is an easy way to minimize your risk of skin cancer and protect yourself from unnecessary pain.

Solar radiation is carcinogenic to humans. Because of the weakness of the radiation, it’s not really possible for the rays to get to the inner organs, but they absolutely can (and do) cause cancer in the skin. This is largely avoidable.

Tanning beds are no solution. The UV risk from tanning beds is also high, and you can suffer the same cancer as you would from the sun.

Wearing sunscreen isn’t an assurance that you will be safe from cancer, but it is a way to further protect yourself and there’s no reason not to do it.

What About When It Rains?

It’s a common belief that rainy and cloudy days are safe days from the sun, meaning you no longer have to wear sunscreen. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

If you plan on spending any real amount of time outside, you should always be prepared to wear sunscreen. This means rain or shine, hot or cold. Even snowy days are not safe (and rather, with the reflective nature of snow, they can be more harmful).

UVA and UVB rays are more than capable of penetrating clouds, meaning that the sun not being “out” to our eyes isn’t really a factor. It’s always present and it’s always capable of causing harm to your sensitive skin.

What About Indoors?

While the average person inside doesn’t need to worry too much about the sun coming in and ruining their day, if you spend a lot of time near windows, it might be something for you to consider.

This also goes for long drives. Any time the sun is shining in on your skin without a barrier to create shade and protection, you’re being exposed to UV rays. Those rays are still doing harm regardless of whether or not you’re outdoors at the time.

People often find themselves with one “driving” arm tanner than the other. That means that the sun is hitting that part of the skin hard. If you’re unsure, it’s best to apply sunscreen and just make it part of your daily skincare routine.

Are You Convinced?

Adding another step to your routine might feel like a pain, but it could end up saving your health, your appearance, and your skin overall. Wearing sunscreen every day is just one small and easy way you can help improve and protect your skin. Your body will thank you for it.

Specialists suggest a sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or over, and to reapply frequently (based on instructions) during the day as long as you’re experiencing sun exposure.

For more beauty products (sunscreen and otherwise) to help your skin look its best, visit our site. We have plenty of products to help protect, improve, and heal your body.