Sunscreen Benefits: Why Use SPF Every Day

 

What is the most effective strategy to protect your skin from sun damage? Keeping away from the sun. On the other hand, avoiding the sun is a terrible way to spend your time, particularly because the sun's rays are largely responsible for lifting your mood.

So, what is the best thing we have to protect our skin's surface and the various layers beneath it? Sunscreen. Not just any sunscreen, but you also need to use an appropriate sunscreen that will protect your skin from the sun and other environmental aggressors.

Having said that, the quality of your sunscreen depends on SPF. So, what is SPF? Let’s find out.

What is SPF?

A sun protection factor (SPF) is a number seen on sunscreen packaging that indicates how long skin may be exposed to the sun while still being at minimal risk of sunburn. The greater the SPF value, the longer a person is protected from the sun's harmful rays.

It is critical to read the information on the sunscreen label regarding the SPF factor and how much protection it provides the skin. To be most effective in protecting the skin from the sun's UV radiation, the sunscreen should be applied according to the guidelines on the label.

Although no sunscreen provides complete protection, "broad-spectrum" sunscreens, including chemicals such as avobenzone, benzophenone 3, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide, often provide UVA and UVB protection. The kind of UV radiation from which the sunscreen cream protects the skin will be stated on the label.

Sweating profusely, swimming, or engaging in other water activities diminishes the SPF because perspiration or water on the skin reduces the amount of protection provided by the sunscreen. During these activities, sunscreen should be administered more regularly.

To understand SPF, next, let’s look at some of the major ingredients of SPF in detail.

SPF Ingredients

The common ingredients found in SPF are:

1. Zinc Oxide
2. Benzophenone 3
3. Avobenzone
4. Octyl Methoxy Cinnamate
5. Titanium Dioxide

Let’s understand them one by one.

Zinc Oxide

Zinc oxide efficiently protects the skin from UVA and UVB radiation. It forms a protective layer across the skin's surface to give rapid UV protection. Zinc oxide is relatively gentle on the skin and lasts a long time, but it can leave a white cast on the surface. 

It has also been demonstrated to have calming and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it is included in diaper rash lotions and anti-blemish treatments.

Benzophenone 3

A chemical sunscreen agent that absorbs UVB and short UVA rays (280-350 nm), with a peak protective wavelength of 288 nm. It is very stable, unlike many other chemical sunscreens, but its UV absorption powers are limited, so it must always be coupled with additional sunscreen agents for effective protection. It is frequently employed as a photo stabilizer rather than a sunscreen ingredient since it may effectively protect formulations from UV damage.

Avobenzone

Avobenzone, which was discovered in the 1970s, is one of the greatest substances for protecting the skin from UVA radiation, which is essential for collagen breakage and accelerated aging. 

Avobenzone is a chemical filter that absorbs UV rays as they reach the skin before transforming them into energy that is less destructive to the cells. This chemical must be paired with other UV filters to guarantee its effectiveness, as it can degrade when exposed to sunlight for an extended period.

Octyl Methoxy Cinnamate

Octinoxate is a UV filter that is also known as Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC). It is quickly absorbed through the skin. Octinoxate has been found in human urine, blood, and breast milk, indicating that people are exposed to this molecule systemically. Octinoxate is an endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen and has the potential to impair thyroid function.

Octinoxate is a sunblock that filters UV-B radiation. It does not provide UV-A protection. Because octinoxate dissolves in oil, it becomes a fat-seeking substance in the body. 

It is created by mixing methoxy cinnamic acid and 2-ethyl hexanol molecules, none of which are toxic on their own. They combine to generate a transparent liquid that does not dissolve in water. It's in hair color and shampoos, sunscreen, lipstick, nail paint, and skin creams. It is utilized as a UV filter in items other than sunscreens to keep the products from deteriorating when exposed to sunlight.

Titanium Dioxide

This naturally present mineral is one of the greatest skin-protecting chemicals now available. It is classified as a physical filter, which means it forms a barrier across the skin's surface, causing UV rays to bounce off rather than penetrate the epidermal layer.

It is extremely delicate and non-irritating, making it suitable for sensitive skin as well as young people. It also does not deteriorate in the sun, although it might leave a white cast on the skin, which is undesirable for those with dark skin.

But, why do you need SPF? Some benefits of SPF should not be missed.

What Is the Purpose of SPF? The Advantages of Sunscreen.

What product, other than sunscreen, defends us from sun damage, lowers our risk of developing cancer, delays the start of aging, and acts instantly after usage? 

It's the best-kept beauty secret that isn't a secret at all. However, if you want to keep your skin looking bright and healthy in the long run, you must also wear sunscreen regularly. Here are some of the reasons:

Reduce Your Chances of Getting Skin Cancer

Sunscreen protects your skin and lowers your chance of skin cancer and pre-cancers. When used in conjunction with other sun protection habits, such as wearing dark clothes and sunglasses, SPF helps to limit the detrimental effects of sun exposure. 

According to the Skin Disease Foundation, using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 decreases your risk of acquiring squamous cell carcinoma by 40% and your risk of developing melanoma (the worst skin cancer) by 50%.

Sunburn Protection

Is it true that sunlight contains two types of damaging radiation, UVA and UVB rays? UVA photons are mostly connected to long-term skin damage, such as wrinkle development, and are also linked to some skin malignancies. UVB rays, on the other hand, are responsible for sunburn and are considered to be the cause of the majority of skin malignancies. Sunburns are not only unpleasant, but they also have a direct relationship to the most lethal kinds of cancer. 

"Even a single sunburn can boost a person's chance of skin cancer," according to Healthline. This is because UV radiation from sunlight may harm the genetic information in skin cells when it is absorbed by the skin." Fortunately, sunscreen protects the skin against UV radiation by absorbing, reflecting, or dispersing sunlight.

Prevent Inflammation and Redness

Sunburn, severe skin reddening, and skin inflammation will come from spending too much time in the sun. "The UV radiation from the sun harms the skin, which turns red as the body sends more blood to the damaged region to heal the damage," according to Medical News Today.

Prevent the onset of wrinkles and fine lines.

Sunscreen is one of the most powerful preventative remedies for wrinkles, fine lines, and crow's feet. Long-term exposure to UVA radiation prematurely ages your skin and causes collagen and skin elasticity loss. Solar damage is responsible for up to 90% of visible indicators of aging. By including SPF into your everyday skincare regimen, you can prevent the early symptoms of aging with little effort.

Stay away from splotchy skin and hyperpigmentation.

Uneven coloration (or hyperpigmentation) refers to areas of the skin discoloration or darkening unevenly. This can be inherited, but it can also be induced by excessive sun exposure. Blotchy skin or black patches may appear on the face, hands, or other regions of the body that are frequently exposed to sunlight.

The good news is... Wearing sunscreen rain or shine, not only in the summer, is an easy approach to avoid dark spots (as well as sunburn, wrinkles, and skin cancer).

Stopping DNA Damage

Sun exposure may have a significant impact, perhaps causing premature skin aging, skin cancer, and a variety of other skin problems. If you believe you can avoid the sun's rays by wearing a hat or sitting in an office, you might be startled to hear about the following instances where you still need to apply SPF.

 

According to scientific research, sunlight causes DNA destruction and can lead to skin cancer and photodamage. According to studies, "many of the negative human health impacts connected with solar exposure are related with a series of events that starts with the development of DNA damage." 

These injuries have the potential to cause inflammatory and immunosuppressive processes in epithelial tissue, as well as accelerated aging and tumor growth.

 

EndNote

Sunscreens protect your skin from the damaging UV rays that breach the skin's barrier each time you expose it to the sun. As a result, it is essential to wear sunscreen every day.

You may not see the advantages right away, but the benefits of applying sunscreen will be noticeable in the long term. If you are out in the sun for an extended period, whether working or relaxing on the beach, it is best to reapply sunscreen every two hours to prevent your skin from sunburn.

There is no set time to begin applying sunscreen. It is always preferable to be late rather than never. With a generous smear of sunscreen, you can enjoy the sun 365 days a year.