All About Sunscreen | Yes We Need It

Thank you Know Your OTCs for sponsoring this Sunscreen For Dark Skin post.  As always all thoughts and opinions are my own .

 

Summer is here and this means lots of warm sunny days spent outdoors! We recently came back from a sunny trip in the Bahamas and made sure to bring enough sunscreen for the family. Summertime may give you a lot of reasons to worship the sun and bask in all of its glory, but it is also the time to take special care for your skin. The hot summer sun can be unkind to your skin especially when you do not use sunscreen. In fact, you should wear sunscreen not only during the summertime, but all year round. This skincare product is not just protecting your skin from the harsh heat but it can keep your face healthy and wrinkle-free!

The month of May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and that means it’s time to discuss taking care of your skin every month of the year. The AAD, or American Academy of Dermatology, has declared skin cancer as the most common kind of cancer in the United States, wherein 1 in 5 Americans can be diagnosed with the condition. Unfortunately, the number is mainly growing because of overexposure to ultraviolet sun rays and from constant use of tanning beds (are these still a thing?)

Top Reasons Why You Need to Put on Sunscreen Daily:

1. All skin types are vulnerable to skin cancer. Although melanin can protect the skin from UV rays to a certain extent, we are still able to get UV damage which is the leading cause of skin cancer. Wearing sunscreen not only protects our skin but helps prevent hyperpigmentation.
2. Using sunscreen daily or whenever you step out of the house can reduce the risk of cancer. Always use sunscreen even when it is a cloudy day and more so on the really hot days. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.
3. Premature aging is caused by constant exposure to the sun or ultraviolet rays. The best way to prevent this is to lather on sunscreen which can slow down the development of ugly leathery skin and wrinkles.
4. The use of sunscreen can help to even out your skin tone and can also prevent the presence of brown spots and similar skin discolorations.
5. Using sunscreen is not just about protecting your skin from sunburn but can also lessen the possibility of heat stroke and as well as heat exhaustion.
6. The use of sunscreen is important for all skin types to protect overall sun damage which can happen over a lifetime.

What is the Best Type of Sunscreen for the Whole Family?

Most sunscreen brands are not that expensive and they even come in many forms which is really convenient. There are now many variations of sunscreens such as sprays and built-in sunscreen in many products (moisturizers, foundations, face powder and lipsticks just to name a few). Popular sunscreen brands even come in different sizes so you will never have to make an excuse not to bring one for your beach trips!

SPF, or Sun Protection, refers to a relative measure of how long would a sunscreen last in protecting the skin from harmful (UV) B rays. A broad spectrum sunscreen is the best choice since they are designed not just to protect the skin from UVB rays but as well as from UVA rays. The UVB rays are responsible for skin cancers and sunburns while the UVA rays can cause skin damage and wrinkles. A higher SPF would offer more protection but if you are not taking other measures, like wearing cover-ups or a hat to shield your face from the sun, then a higher SPF can only do so much. Pick a sunscreen which has at least SPF 15 or even higher.

How Often To Apply Sunscreen

It’s also very important to know the best time to apply sunscreen and how often you should re-apply. Ideally, one should put on a generous amount of sunscreen at least 30 minutes before they step out. You need to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or depending on how hot the weather is. It is also very important to carefully read and understand the label so you will know how much to apply and how long to re-apply to get the best results.

Tips On Picking the Best Type of Sunscreen

As previously mentioned, sunscreen brands now offer different options and not just the traditional lotions which, to be honest, can get really sticky. However, keep in mind that there is no such thing as the perfect sunscreen but there are several brands that can really provide the ultimate protection at the most reasonable price. The following are the popular variations of sunscreens:

• Built-in Sunscreen: This type of sunscreen is best for people who often wear makeup but do no spend much time outdoors. Products such as moisturizer, face powders or foundations now contain sunscreen which is really beneficial and convenient.
• Mineral: This is the best sunscreen for people who have sensitive skin since they are designed to provide ample protection without irritating the skin.
• Spray: This is by far more convenient than the old lotion variants and is best for children. Always be generous when using a spray sunscreen and apply more frequently to get the best skin protection.
• Water-Resistant: This variant is not 100% waterproof but they are designed to last longer in the skin after getting wet.

Sunscreen For Dark Skin

Sunscreen should be applied by everyone regardless of their skin color or ethnicity. UV rays can still penetrate the skin even if you have a darker tone. Having dark skin does not mean having a built-in SPF. People of color still have to use the right sunscreen to protect the skin from sun damage. The AAD recommends sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 for people with darker skin.

Parents must also make sure that they use the best sunscreen brand for their children, especially if they have sensitive skin. Keep in mind that it is not advisable to use sunscreen on infants who are less than 6 months old. The best way to protect babies from the heat of the sun is to have them wear proper clothing but do make sure that they do not get too hot with all the layers of clothes. The best kind of sunscreen for kids should contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide since they are ideal for sensitive skin. Take the time to read the labels and research on the best brands for kids—it will be 100% worth it in the long run!

 

Check out more myths about sunscreen here.