Baz Luhrmann famously said, “Wear sunscreen”. And while you should definitely listen to the advice dispensed during this funky late 90s hit; we really should trust him about wearing sunscreen. In fact, you have to lather yourself up every, single day!
Here’s why.
It’s more than just sunburn prevention
If you weren’t already aware, sunburn is more than just inflamed skin due to overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays. It goes far beyond a few days of painful, red skin. Sunburn is actually an indication of severely damaged skin cells, which, if you were wondering, is no good.
Several studies have indicated that prolonged exposure to the sun negatively affects your body’s tumour-suppressing gene. This is what ultimately leads to skin cancer.
Sunscreen, or more arcuately, sunblock, blocks the sun’s UV rays from penetrating your skin, reducing the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.
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Sunscreen has anti-ageing properties
Yes. That’s right.
This fact has been shared far and wide, but it’s truly remarkable how so many people still don’t include sunscreen in their skincare routines. Not only will it keep your skin looking supple and youthful, but it also prevents your skin from developing dark spots.
The harmful UV rays (more specifically UVB rays) damage your skin beyond just sunburn. These rays damage your skin quite severely, speeding up your skin’s ageing process, reducing its elasticity and collagen, and can result in dark spots.
A good sunscreen blocks UVB rays from causing this damage and can help you look youthful!
It helps maintain an even skin tone
Dark spots don’t only occur on your face. Sun exposure can result in the overproduction of melatonin (the hormone responsible for your skin colour), which can cause dark spots all over your body.
It can also result in an uneven skin tone. Keep your skin looking smooth and even by wearing sunscreen all over every day.
Also see: A deep dive into your sunscreen selection for the summer
Don’t think that clouds, roofs, or walls can protect you
A whopping 80% of the sun’s rays pass through clouds. So don’t think you can forgo sunscreen when the sun isn’t shining.
And don’t think that just because you’re inside you can skip the sunscreen. Any exposure to UV rays can burn your skin. Driving to the office or standing outside for your smoke break or a private call can lead to your skin burning.
While these burns might just be first-degree burns, any skin cell damage can lead to ageing, the development of dark spots, and skin cancer.
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What sunscreen should you use?
Choosing the right sunblock is tricky. But, you should always opt for one that protects from both UVB and UVA (these cause sunburn) rays. These sunscreens protect your skin completely, and as long as you consistently apply them, you won’t have to worry.
Our favourite at the moment is the Heliocare Advanced range:
- Shield your radiant face with the gold standard of SPF, like Heliocare Advanced Gel SPF 50.
- Keep your entire body protected effortlessly with Heliocare Advanced Spray SPF 50.
- Elevate your sun defence with Heliocare Oral Capsules, empowering your skin to conquer the sun.
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And now that you’ll never skip the sunscreen do yourself a favour and listen to “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” by Baz Luhrmann.
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Featured Image: Unsplash
