Wrinkles, sagging skin, sunspots...no thanks! When people ask us what’s the most important step to any daily skin care routine we say, sunscreen. Yes, daily! Not just to the beach or standing under the scorching sun while waiting in line for the DMV. Fall is officially here so we’re talking rainy days, cloudy days and even days when you’re just staying in binging on Lifetime movies.
Using sunscreen daily goes beyond just preventing the look of aging skin. It’s also about maintaining your health. According to the National Cancer Institute, the rate of melanoma, a form of skin cancer has been steadily on the rise. The rate of new melanoma cases among American adults has tripled since the 1970s.
If you feel that your sunscreen isn’t doing much for your skin or it has caused you to break out or dry up it’s time to find another. Here are tips on how to maximize your sun protection efforts.
Using sunscreen daily goes beyond just preventing the look of aging skin. It’s also about maintaining your health. According to the National Cancer Institute, the rate of melanoma, a form of skin cancer has been steadily on the rise. The rate of new melanoma cases among American adults has tripled since the 1970s.
If you feel that your sunscreen isn’t doing much for your skin or it has caused you to break out or dry up it’s time to find another. Here are tips on how to maximize your sun protection efforts.
Don’t forget to reapply
Applying sunscreen daily just once is simply not enough. You should reapply every 2 hours to ensure maximum protection.
Using the wrong amount of SPF
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a minimum of SPF 30 which protects against 97% of the sun’s UVB rays. However, if you have fair skin or tend to burn easily, a facial sunscreen with SPF 50 will be your best bet.
SPF isn’t just for the sun
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, even on cloudy days, 80% of UV rays can still penetrate the skin. If you plan to stay in keep in mind that while glass blocks UVB rays (shorter rays that cause sunburn), UVA rays (longer rays that penetrate deeper into the skin that causes for sunspots, wrinkles and other signs of sun damage) will still pass through.
All about the ingredients
Higher priced products don’t necessarily mean higher quality. Look for sunscreens that include Titanium Dioxide and natural minerals such as Zinc Oxide to reflect harmful UV rays from the skin. For sensitive skin, we recommend products that are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free such as the Kashmere Anti Aging Whipped SPF 30.
Using body formulas on the face
Put down the body sunscreen! According to a dermatologist, Neelam A. Vashi, “Sunscreen products for the face are often formulated differently than those for the body. Facial sunscreens are often designed to be more easily absorbed and feel lighter.” Ditch the body products and look for facial sunscreens that don’t won’t clog your pores and dry out your skin.
