3 Reasons Why You Need Sunscreen

The number one rule of skin care? Never forget your sunscreen!

Whether you’re planning a beach trip, taking a stroll through the park, or simply on your daily commute to the office, protecting your skin from the harsh rays of the sun should always be a priority. Having sun protection does so much more for our skin than merely preventing us from getting an uneven tan!

To help you understand the importance of sun protection, here are the top three reasons why sunscreen should always be a part of your morning skin care routine:

It keeps your skin tone even.

Before anything, it’s important to understand that every day, the sun emits a broad spectrum of harmful ultraviolet (or “UV”) rays. These rays are divided into two categories: UVA and UVB. While both have equally harmful effects, the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics states that UVA penetrates deeper into the skin, causing long-term effects such as wrinkles and other forms of skin damage. UVB, on the other hand, is easier to identify, as it causes more surface level damage, such as sunburns.

Sun damage from these UV rays is one of the many causes of uneven complexions, so regular use of sunscreen helps protect against irregular patches of skin, sunburns, and hyperpigmentation. True to its name, sunburns damage the skin similarly to when we’re scorched by hot fire; because of this, they require treatment and lots of time to heal. Simply put, sunburns are an inflammatory reaction to excessive UV radiation that causes damaged skin to become red, swollen, and painful. Though most cases are mild, more serious cases may even lead to skin blistering.

Aside from helping the skin veer away from sunburn-induced scarring, sun protection also helps pre-existing scars from darkening. As scars are exposed to the sun during its early maturation process, they may become pigmented, causing hyperpigmentation.

It keeps your skin looking youthful.

Though we may not notice it immediately, being exposed to UVA rays greatly contributes to premature aging. Common signs of this can be seen through fine lines, age spots, and looser, more leathery skin. While UVB rays are strongest during the warmer, summer months, we’re exposed to UVA rays on a constant basis—even when it’s cloudy! UVA rays also penetrate through glass, so whether you’re in the car or inside your office, make sure to wear sunscreen.

It protects you against skin cancer.

Having sunscreen in your skin care minimizes the penetration of both UVA and UVB rays into our skin, therefore minimizing our risk of developing potentially harmful sunburns as well as a wide variety of skin ailments and disorders. Most importantly, it greatly reduces our risk for developing skin cancers, especially melanoma. This cancer is known to be more aggressive and even life-threatening for many women, particularly in their 20s, so protecting the skin daily helps keep it at bay.

While sun protection is essential in our daily lives, it isn’t easy to find a formula that best suits your skin’s needs. Luckily, mineral makeup like the Ellana Loose Mineral Foundation makes it much simpler, as it provides both the sun protection and the coverage that you need. Because of its mineral particles, these cosmetics naturally creates a barrier to help reflect harmful UV rays away. Mineral cosmetics also shed away unnecessary ingredients and chemicals, making it more suitable for sensitive skin!