Hey guys! Welcome to today’s blog post!
Today on our mini skincare series, we talk about about Sunscreen and why it’s probably one of the most important steps/products in your skincare routine.
In today’s day and age, there’s been a consistent rise in information about skincare, which is something I love and appreciate, because ,back in the day when my acne was at its worst, yes there was quite a bit of information, but most of what was being shared back then has been refuted due to more research and knowledge. And yes, I’m talking about all those DIY concoctions we made in our kitchens lol.
Anyway, one of the most important things that has been said over and over and over again, and I don’t think it’s going to stop anytime soon, is You Need To Wear Sunscreen.
Whether you’ll be indoors, outdoors, whether it’s a rainy day, a sunny day, just ensure you wear sunscreen.
So, what is sunscreen?
Sunscreen is simply a substance that when applied on the skin, protects the skin from harmful sun rays.
You see, the sun produces natural energy in the form of ultraviolet (UV) rays. Furthermore, there are two types of UV rays, namely Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB).
UVA rays are associated with premature aging, while UVB rays are associated with sunburns. Sunscreen can protect your skin from both of these rays.
Why use sunscreen?
You may wonder, well what’s the use of sunscreen yet you have melanin, especially if you are a person of skin of color? To backtrack a bit, melanin is the pigment in your skin that protects your skin from the sun and its harmful rays, but too much exposure to sunlight, causes this pigment to darken and then shed. Now, sunscreen comes in to protect your skin from this happening.
Some of the effects of not using sunscreen include, frequent sunburns, popped blood vessels on the skin, premature aging, and in severe cases, skin cancer, known as melanoma.
ALSO guys, if you’re trying to treat literally any skin concern, sunscreen is a must guys.
Like, let’s say I’m trying to treat hyperpigmentation. This is when some areas of your skin are darker than others. It can be caused by scars left by old breakouts. Now, to treat this, you could use something like lactic acid as a chemical exfoliant, which makes your skin sensitive to the sun. Sunscreen will not only protect your skin from sun damage, but will also preserve the treatment that the lactic acid is doing on your skin. Get it?
What is SPF?
A saying that I have heard and totally agree with, is that SPF, is your BFF!
SPF refers to Sun Protection Factor. When you look at a sunscreen bottle, you are likely to see something like SPF, followed by a number, like 30 or 50 then several plus signs.
This number refers to how long your skin will be protected when exposed to the sun. For example, if you wear sunscreen with SPF 50, it means your skin will be protected 50 times longer than if you were not wearing sunscreen. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me!
So, how do you use sunscreen?
· First off, choose the best sunscreen for your skin. There are two types of sunscreen, namely, physical and chemical sunscreen.
Physical/Mineral sunscreens have zinc oxide or titanium oxide as their active ingredients. This type of sunscreen is characterized by leaving a white cast when applied, which should eventually blend into your skin. They protect the skin by reflecting the sun rays away from the skin.
Chemical sunscreens contain other active ingredients aside from zinc and titanium. These typically don’t leave a white cast when applied, and protect the skin by absorbing the UV rays and transforming them into heat.
You could try either of these, but I personally have seen most people use physical sunscreens. They may be the best ones to use when starting out.
· Apply the sunscreen during your morning routine, after your moisturizer.
· The sufficient amount to apply is two to three fingers long, all over the face, neck, behind the ears and upper chest.
· Remember to re-apply every 2 hours, especially if stepping outdoors! This ensures your skin is ALWAYS protected. I personally find it a bit difficult to commit to this, but I know in the long run it’s worth it. :)
Links to places I got info for this post from;
Ok guys, that’s it for me for this post. I hope you’ve learnt a thing or two, and if you aren’t wearing sunscreen everyday, I hope from now on it’s something you’ll add into your routine :).
Thank you for reading and I will see you next time!
Xoxo
B.
Remember to Check Out My Instagram here, I've found a love for creating reels on the blog topic that week, and of course I have created one for sunscreen. Be sure to click the link, and kindly if you haven't follow me :).
Also, check out my Pinterest here, I have also started creating pins, if you want to check it out as well, click the link :).
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