Let's get one thing straight — the sun doesn't take a day off, and neither should your SPF.

FINALLY! The sun is out, we are getting days above 70 degrees and it is starting to feel like summer! I am sure you are switching out your winter clothes for your summer ones, getting out your bathing suit bin and beach towels. You must be placing an order on Amazon or stopping at Target to purchase new sunscreen since the spray bottles at the bottom of your beach bag from last year are sandy and empty. There is just one thing….You should be wearing sunscreen all year long! A very big and common misconception is that you only have to wear sunscreen in the summer or when the UV is a 6 or above. That is not correct.

As a fair skinned girl, I have always been a huge advocate for sunscreen and encourage my friends to wear it. Growing up, I watched my mom battle three different types of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. I was so young when she was battling this, but I have specific memories of her coming home from surgery and being in her appointments with her. The emotional weight of diagnosis after diagnosis is something nobody should have to fight. She is one of the strongest people I know, but strength shouldn’t have to be tested like that. It made me realize that skin cancer isn’t just something that happens to other people, and that something as simple as sunscreen can make a world of difference. Her journey became my why, and every time I smooth on that SPF, I think of her. I share this not to scare you, but because I genuinely care and I don’t share her story lightly. I share it because I want it to mean something. If reading this convinces even one person to reach for that SPF tomorrow morning, then it was worth it.

Squashing the Big Misconception

I don’t need to wear sunscreen in the winter or on a cloudy day. 

This is a myth. The fact is, when you are outside and it is a cloudy day, up to 90% of the sun’s rays can penetrate your skin, says the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center Blog. We all know the ocean waves indirectly reflect the sun onto our skin, but did you know the same applies for the sand and the snow? Even if it is December and there is snow outside, wear that sunscreen!

There are benefits to wearing your sunscreen.

Sunscreen helps to maintain your skins protective barrier

The Cleveland Clinic says, wearing your sunscreen daily helps to build up your skin’s protective barrier. An activity outside such as watering your garden or taking the dog for a quick walk means the sun’s rays can still get to your skin. To avoid harmful UV rays and prevent sunburns and skin damage, wearing sunscreen is the best option.

Sunscreen reduces your risk of developing skin cancer

When you wear sunscreen that has a high sun protection factor (SPF), you are working to reduce your exposure to the harmful UV rays that can result in skin cancer. Sunscreen protects your skin against the UV rays which are the biggest cause of sunburns. UV rays are the main contributor to the development of skin cancer like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Melanoma is the most serious type while basal and squamous are the more common types.

Sunscreen can help to prevent your skin from premature aging

We live in a world where everybody is talking about how to stop aging and showing us what products to use and what treatments to get. The easiest and best way to do this is to protect your skin from the sun with sunscreen. The daily use of sunscreen helps prevent exposure and against wrinkles, brown spots and irregular pigmentation. Increased sun exposure can multiply skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema and acne. Maintain your skin with your sunscreen.

The plus side is that many beauty products between skincare and makeup have SPF in them. I recommend finding a moisturizer with SPF as well as a foundation. There are even products where you can dust a layer of sunscreen on throughout the day over your makeup!

The Skin and Cancer Institute educates us on all things SPF and how this applies to different skin tones. Let’s dive into these details. 

  • “SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%. You might notice that doubling the SPF number doesn’t double your protection.”
  • “For those with fair skin, we recommend using SPF 50 or higher and reapplying every two hours, as this skin tone burns easily and has a higher risk of skin cancer.”
  • “If you have olive skin, don’t let your ability to tan fool you – there’s no such thing as a safe tan, and you’ll need at least SPF 30 daily. Your best protection comes from waterproof, long-lasting formulas if you lead an active lifestyle.”
  • “For our friends with darker skin tones, while you may have more natural melanin protection, you’ll still want to use SPF 30 minimum, focusing on sunscreen ingredients that won’t leave an unwanted white cast. Even darker skin can develop dark spots and wrinkles without proper protection.”
  • “Those with sensitive skin should stick to mineral blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, avoiding chemical sunscreen ingredients that might cause irritation.”
  • “Higher SPF ratings don’t provide all-day protection; reapplication every two hours is essential regardless of SPF level.”

Sunscreens I Love

 

Makeup Products with SPF 

 

XOXO
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Danielle Bishop
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Danielle Bishop

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Why Sunscreen Is Crucial Everyday and Not Only When the Sun is Out

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