Enjoying the beautiful weather is something we all enjoy, but we must make sure to protect our skin when we are out and about in the sunshine. Starting healthy habits early on can help you later on in life, and avoid damaging your skin. The sun’s UV rays damage our skin and cause premature aging. The good news is sunscreen can help protect your skin and slow down the effects of the sun.

Beauty latin girl enjoying summer holiday while applying suntan lotion at sea.

How Does the Sun Damage Our Skin?

There are three types of light that can affect our skin when we are exposed to the sun. These are ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and infrared light (IR). Exposure to UVA can affect the deep layers of our skin and can cause age spots, wrinkles, or even skin cancer. UVB rays also penetrate the outer layers of the skin, and can cause you to get that painful sunburn you will never forget. UVB rays can also contribute to cancer development and cause premature aging. IR is known to break down collagen and can cause inflammation, but the actual effects are not well understood.

How Does Sunscreen Work?

Sunscreen helps to filter out the sun’s harmful rays from our skin. No matter how much or what brand of sunscreen you use, you will not completely protect your skin from the sun’s rays. In addition to sunscreens, you should always find shade or wear a hat to shield your skin from the sun.

Close Up Of Long Female Legs With Perfect Smooth Soft Skin, Pedicure And Beautiful Hands With Natural Manicure, Healthy Nails On White Bed.

Zinc sunscreen products can physically shield out light to prevent the rays from being able to penetrate your skin. Carbon screens help to absorb the sun’s rays and release them. Most sunscreens contain both of these ingredients to help protect your skin.

The SPF in your sunscreen rates the percentage of UVB light that the product allows through to your skin. For example, if you are using a sunscreen with an SPF of 50, that will block around 98% of the sun’s rays from your skin. Additionally, if you are in the water, or out in the sun for a long time, you should always reapply to ensure your skin is well protected. Sunscreen does wear off and should always be reapplied at least every two hours. When applying sunscreen make sure to cover all exposed areas and do not skimp on product.

How To Choose a Good Sunscreen?

There are a few things to look for when choosing a good sunscreen. Make sure to choose a sunscreen that is no lower than SPF30. Read the ingredients carefully, and make sure there are no irritants for those that may be sensitive to certain products. Lotions tend to cover better compared to sprays, but some people like the convenience of a spray compared to a messy lotion. When choosing a sunscreen look for natural ingredients that contain antioxidants to help nourish your skin. Make sunscreen a part of your morning routing so you never forget to protect your skin!