Year-Round Sunscreen

Welcome back to yet another beauty guide here at Makeup Queens. Today, we dive deep into the significance of including sunscreen in our everyday skin care routine. No matter the season, investing in a good sunscreen product with sufficient SPF is essential. Join us as we elucidate why it's more than just a summer necessity, but an all-important tool for UV protection and overall skin health.

What Does SPF in Sunscreen Mean?

SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is the measure of how well a sunscreen can protect the skin from UVB rays. These rays are the primary cause of sunburn and can contribute to skin cancer. For instance, if you use an SPF 30 product, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you weren’t wearing any sunscreen.

Contrary to popular belief, a higher SPF does not imply considerably better protection. An SPF 15 sunscreen blocks about 94% of UVB rays, an SPF 30 sunscreen approximately blocks 97%, and an SPF 45 sunscreen about 98%. Anything higher provides minimal additional protection.

Even though an SPF 30 only has a 3% advantage over an SPF 15, it does provide significantly more defense against UVB rays. It's crucial to remember to always use a minimum of SPF 15 for everyday protection and SPF 30 or higher for outdoor activities.

How to Incorporate Sunscreen in Your Skin Care Routine

It's vital to make sunscreen the final step of your morning skincare routine. Apply it after your moisturizer and before your makeup. This ensures that your skin absorbs the sunscreen and effectively blocks out harmful UV radiation.

Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin. Therefore, it's important to use sunscreen every day, no matter the weather, to safeguard your skin from damage.

Reapplication is essential too. If you’re outside, reapply sunscreen every two hours. Also, if you’re wearing makeup, consider using a setting spray or pressed powder that contains SPF for touch-ups throughout the day.

Consequences of Not Using Sunscreen

Failing to apply sunscreen can lead to immediate consequences like sunburns, and long-term problems like skin discoloration, premature aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Repeated exposure to the sun's harmful rays without adequate protection can breakdown collagen and impair the skin's ability to repair itself. This damages the skin's texture and weakens its elasticity, leading to premature aging.

By regularly using sunscreen, you can prevent these consequences and maintain your skin's health and youthful appearance.

With UV damage posing a constant threat, it's clear that sunscreen is not merely an option, but an essential aspect of our skincare regimen irrespective of the season. By incorporating a good SPF sunscreen into your daily routine, you can shield yourself from the harmful effects of the sun and invest in your skin's long-term health. Remember, protecting your skin today will keep it radiant and healthy for years to come.