Why You Need SPF … Always

Now that the weather has shifted from cold, dreary weather to sunshine and clear skies, this is the perfect time to visit an important part of your skin care routine. 

Question – What is the most effective product to use in order to reduce wrinkles and pigmentation on the skin?

Answer – SUNSCREEN!

Surprised? A lot of people are. When it comes to sunscreen, it seems to be an afterthought especially when the majority of people work or spend most times indoors. Sunscreen is crucial in the health and maintenance of skin. Let’s dive a little deeper into the world of sun protection in skin care. 

I always remind my clients, family and friends to wear SPF, Sunscreen protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays: UVA and UVB. UVB rays are responsible for sunburn. UVA rays, on the other hand, penetrate deeper into the skin. These rays can lead to long-term effects like wrinkling, premature aging and other skin damage.

How Does Sunscreen Work? 

Sunscreen creates a shield to prevent UVA and UVB rays from reaching the skin and keep it safe from the harmful effects of UV radiation. The earth has a natural shield, too: the ozone layer. The ozone layer protects the planet from most of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. However, the ozone layer is not as thick as it once was. This means we have less natural protection from UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen all over the body is important, but the face is particularly susceptible to wrinkles and premature aging. No one wants to look older than they are, and sunscreen plays an essential role in anti-aging. Keep in mind that the importance of sunscreen on face isn’t just cosmetic — it’s essential for good health, too.

While most tend to think of SPF as a summer essential, it’s equally important all year-round. UV rays are just as harmful during the winter as they are in the summer. What’s more, UVA rays can penetrate window glass. This means you are exposed to harmful rays during your drive to work and even at your desk if your office is filled with natural light. While you might not think it, UV rays are especially harmful on snowy days, since the rays are multiplied by the reflective nature of the snow.

The most common thing I hear from my clients is that they’re not outside often so they don’t need sunscreen. In fact, any time we are exposed to the outdoors and the sun we do need protection. Even something as simple as driving to and from work, taking public transit and sitting beside a window all give us sun exposure. This is why wearing sunscreen on the daily is crucial. 

There is a big misconception about wearing SPF daily. When we hear about sunscreen we think about the standard sunscreen we take on vacation, thick, white and dense sunscreen. Now I know you don’t want that feeling on your face every day which is why that medical grade skin care lines have special formulated SPF that can be comfortably worn daily without that greasy heavy feeling. 

What Type of Sunscreen Should I Use?

It’s amazing how even the simplest of products and routine can cause the most changes. Having a proper sunscreen that is suited for your skin type will show changes in your skin’s health within four weeks of proper and continuous use. 

Physical Versus Chemical Sunscreens 

Chemical sunscreen absorbs into the skin and then absorbs UV rays, converts the rays into heat, and releases them from the body. Physical sunblock sits on top of the skin and reflects the sun’s rays. The minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the main active ingredients in physical sunscreens.

Physical sunscreens are specifically formulated to be used on a daily basis and protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays; the best physical sunscreens are found within medical grade skin care lines. Whereas chemical sunscreens traditionally used on sun vacations and in the summer are not the most pleasant to use every day and they don’t do the best job in protecting your skin from the sun.  

Knowing your skin type will help determine which sunscreen is best for you. For example, if you are prone to breakouts and have inflammation it’s best to use a sunscreen that has little to no oil in it. If you have dry skin, you will want to get a sunscreen that has a little bit more oils in the formulation so that the main active ingredients do not dry out your skin even more. 

Now I know what you’re thinking, I don’t want to have a white pasty/chalky look when I apply sunscreen and that’s why I avoid it. Believe me, I get it and I feel the same way too. There is an important trick that I share with my clients when applying sunscreen. The trick is to work in the sunscreen into the skin, you only need a pea size of the sunscreen and dab it all over your face; gently work it in until it is completely absorbed into the skin. 

Pro Tip – If you find that the sunscreen is not blending in well enough, you can always mix it with your moisturizer. 

My SPF Picks

I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t all that crazy of applying sunscreen on the daily but knew I had to anyway. Since working in aesthetics, I have come across some sunscreens that I have fallen in love with and I want to share with you. 

You have seen me talk about several different product lines, my two favourite ones are AlumierMD and Dr. Schrammek and they both have sunscreens that are great and have been proven popular with my clients. Let’s explore them further. 

These are my favourite sunscreens and I’m sure there is a sunscreen that’s perfect for you. I hope this has helped you understand a little bit better the importance of sunscreen in your daily routine. If you have any questions or need some guidance, hit me up.