Experts have shared five reasons why it’s important to apply SPF to your face daily, explaining how it’s not just about protecting us from sun damage.
Many of us are pretty good at staying protected in the sun when we’re on holiday, having probably learnt the hard way how painful it can feel if you don't bother to slap on the suncream.
But according to many skincare experts, it's not enough as some believe we should be applying some form of protection every single day – even when it’s cloudy outside.
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The experts at Mahoney Dermatology shared a list of ‘5 important reasons to wear sunscreen daily’, saying that, even on overcast days, our skin is ‘susceptible to the sun’s rays’.
“We have all heard how important it is to wear sunscreen for skin protection, but do you know the specific reasons why?” they asked in a blog post on their website, listing out the key benefits behind using SPF on a regular basis.
Reducing risk of sunburn
Firstly, we’ve got reducing the risk of sunburn – the reason many of us apply sunscreen in the first place.
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“If you continuously get sunburns, it can lead to damage that can cause skin cancer, premature wrinkling, and many other skin issues,” Mahoney Dermatology said.
If you do find yourself sunburnt, oral or topical steroids can prevent some of the damage if caught early enough, but if it’s severe and has blistered, you should reach out to your local dermatologist for help 'as they can assess your burn and suggest products to help with the pain and minimize scarring'.
Preventing signs of ageing
As well as protecting us from getting burnt, sunscreen can also help prevent signs of ageing – something that’s particularly evident on our face, which gets the most exposure.
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Repeated sun exposure with little or no protection can cause damage to your ‘elastin, collagen and skin cells’, which over time can lead to premature signs of ageing, including ‘discoloration, wrinkles, fine lines, and a leathery appearance’.
And don’t think you can get away with it while you’re young(ish), as premature aging – also known as photoaging - is ‘common in those who spend time in the sun without sunscreen, especially in their 20s and 30s’.
Reducing risk of skin cancer
This is obviously a particularly crucial one, with the Mahoney Dermatology experts saying you can lower your risk of developing skin cancer by using a ‘minimum of SPF 30 multiple times each day’.
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“For even more protection, you can use a higher-level SPF,” they added.
“If you are spending prolonged time outdoors or will be in the water, you should reapply your sunscreen every two hours.”
Preventing skin discolouration
Areas of skin colouration are often referred to as ‘sun spots’ or ‘liver spots’, and are usually range in colour from beige to brown.
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These often develop on the face, head, hands and arms, but applying sunscreen ‘periodically’ throughout the day can help prevent them from appearing.
Reducing inflammation
Finally, wearing sunscreen can help reduce inflammation and redness, which UV rays are known to cause.
“This can be especially challenging for individuals with skin issues like psoriasis or rosacea,” the team said, advising people with sensitive skin or prone to redness to ‘look for a sunscreen with gentle ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide’.
“You should also avoid spray-on sunscreens as these can contain harsh formulas, including alcohol that can dry out the skin.”
Jess Hardiman