Walking out the door makeup-free is Okay, but without sunscreen? Not COOL.
Constant exposure leads to cell damage and premature aging and may even cause cancer-the most common kind of cancer among men and women between 25-29 in the United States.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF), one of the easiest ways to protect yourself is to use a broad spectrum sunscreen. So easy, so why skip? This will shield you from both UVA and UVB rays.
UVA rays—which make up 93% of the UV light spectrum—can cause wrinkles and skin cancer. UVB rays, on the other hand, make up the other 7% of the UV light spectrum. These rays are responsible for giving you tanned skin, but can also cause skin cancer.
SCF recommends to choose sunscreens with an SPF of at least 15 to protect your skin, but make sure you’re using the right kind for your needs.
If you’re spending a lot time outdoors, go for spray-on sunscreens because they’re convenient to apply and reapply. If you’re going swimming, make sure that you’re using one that’s waterproof. For oily skin, choose the water-based sunscreens.
Ideally, it is best to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you head out. This will give your skin enough time to really absorb the sunscreen. Once you’ve stepped outside, be sure to keep reapplying every two hours for best protection.
Your skin will thank you eventually so don’t forget to include this in your shopping list today.
