Sunscreen: Tips to use properly to prevent burns and wrinkles
Sunscreen not only protects our skin from harmful ultraviolet rays, but it is also a must-have to prevent skin aging. A good sunscreen needs to have full spectrum UVB protection to keep you from getting burned and reduce the risk of skin cancer, as well as UVA protection to prevent phot-aging which leads to premature skin wrinkling and aging.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends choosing a broad-spectrum and water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF. Choosing a mineral sunscreen with Zinc and Titanium, also called a physical sunscreen, effectively and safely shields the skin from the sun’s rays. You might trade some cosmetic elegance when using a mineral sunscreen, such as a white film and glossy appearance, but you are protecting yourself and very importantly, you are not harming our precious coral reefs. The other type of sunscreen uses chemicals like Oxybenzone and Avobenzone to achieve the proper SPF, but these chemicals are not safe for the environment and are suspected to be harmful to people.
Here are six things to remember about using sunscreen:
1. Apply Sunscreen Before Stepping Outdoors
It takes approximately 20 minutes for the skin to absorb the sunscreen’s protective ingredients. The best time to apply sunscreen is before leaving your home. Use the travel time to your favorite outdoor destination to let your skin absorb all the benefits of your sunscreen.
2. People Use Too Little
A common issue with sunscreen is that it’s sticky and even irritating for some people. However, to get the maximum benefit, a little dab won’t do. According to the AAD, while you’re on the beach, coat your body thoroughly with at least an ounce of sunscreen. Meanwhile, if you’re using the product on your face, a nickel-sized amount should be good enough.
3. Stop Missing Some Areas
In a study published in April 2019, researchers found that 20 percent of their test subjects failed to apply sunscreen on their eyelids. Of all the facial areas, eyelids have the highest incidence of skin cancer. Lips come in second as the spot people miss when applying sunscreen. Our lips do not have melanin, a complex polymer responsible for determining our skin and hair color. If you don’t like lathering sunscreen lotion on your lips, use a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher is an alternative.
4. Reapply Sunscreen
According to the AAD, only 33 percent of Americans reapply their sunscreen throughout the day. The golden rule is to reapply every two hours, more often if you perspire heavily or go swimming. The FDA reminds the public that “water-resistant” sunscreen only maintains its SPF content for 40-80 minutes. Your skin may still show the sunscreen, but the protection has faded.
5. Moisturize Pre and Post Sun
Use a good moisturizer in the morning before applying sunscreen to hydrate your skin. Post sun exposure, make sure to nourish your stressed skin with a product that supports skin healing. Remember the more stress your skin experiences, the faster it ages; and the biggest skin stressor is the sun!
For a wonderful pre and post sun product look to Bluelene’s Daily Moisturizer with patented anti-oxidant Methylene Blue. Bluelene is the only skin cream with this innovative ingredient, which has been scientifically shown to repair and protect skin.
6. Don’t Skip Sunscreen Even if It’s Cloudy
Even if the sun is behind the clouds, 80 percent of the UV rays still hit your skin. Regardless of cloud coverage, apply and reapply sunscreen constantly. According to AAD, only 20 percent of Americans use sunscreen when it’s cloudy.
Conclusion
Sunscreen does not only protects your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays but also prevents early signs of aging from appearing. However, try to apply it to your skin as even as possible to avoid missing out on areas that need it most. More importantly, always check the expiration date before applying it to your skin.
Blueline maximizes the benefits of a common dye called methylene blue to improve anti-aging properties for human skin. Over years of research, we have perfected the formula and bring you only the best anti-aging face cream in the industry. Check out our products and see the difference today.
