Whether you are outdoor or indoor, you should never forget to wear sunscreen. It is an absolute skincare essential, and one should wear it daily to keep the skin protected from the sun. Additionally, sunscreen is supposed to be worn throughout the year, it isn’t a seasonal product, and just because the sun isn’t as blinding in winter as it is in summer, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear sunscreen. Sunscreen is the best chance you have at protecting your against harmful and damaging UV rays. Therefore, you should never skip it in your skincare routine.
Sunscreen is essential for maintaining your skin’s health in the long run; it also helps to prevent issues like pigmentation, dark spots, etc. Forgetting to wear your mascara is still fine, but forgetting to wear sunscreen is just a big no, and it can cost you your precious flawless skin. Additionally, sunscreens with high SPF do a much better job of protecting your skin against the sun than sunscreens with low SPF, therefore, make sure to invest in sunscreen that comes with the right SPF.
That being said, there’s so much sunscreen-related information that’s still unknown to many, hence, we took it upon us to make you learn everything about sunscreen.
The timeline
In order to make sure that your sunscreen is doing the best job of protecting your skin against the sun, it’s crucial to apply your sunscreen at least 30 minutes before stepping out of the house. This is because your skin gets plenty of time to absorb the product properly and form a protective layer between your skin and the sun. Additionally, applying sunscreen should be the last skincare step; you can apply it right after applying moisturizer and before doing your makeup. Also, make sure to reapply your sunscreen every couple of hours for maximum protection from the sun.
The formula
Much like any other skincare product, you can find sunscreen in different formulas, and when it comes to purchasing sunscreen for yourself, you should always take your skin type into consideration. People with dry skin should opt for creamy formula, whereas, people with oily skin should stick to gel-based sunscreen. Given the sensitive nature of sensitive skin, you cannot risk putting anything wrong on the skin; therefore, you should look for sunscreens that are specifically formulated for sensitive skin.
The SPF
Like we mentioned before, it’s crucial to have sunscreen with the right SPF to ensure maximum protection, the higher the SPF, the maximum protection your skin gets and vice versa. On days when you’re staying indoors, sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more will suffice, but if you are planning to go out during the day, then you should opt for sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
The amount
There’s a way to determine the amount of sunscreen you will need for yourself, and the experts themselves swear by this trick. The length of your index finger is the amount of sunscreen you will need for yourself. Starting from the top of your index finger, start pushing product on it until you reach the base, that’s how you determine the amount of sunscreen you will need. Also, stick to a broad-spectrum sunscreen that keeps your skin protected from both UVA and UVB rays.
The areas
Your body needs as much sun protection as your face requires, therefore, you should not only apply sunscreen to your face but the rest of your body as well. When you are applying sunscreen to your face, don’t forget to apply it to your back neck, top of ears, and your hairline as well. Additionally, you should apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of your body such as arms, ankles, the top of your foot, etc.
