Do you know why I go so hard for sunscreen?

There are so many “remedies” for different skin challenges floating around social media and Pinterest and passed down from someone’s grandmother with great skin, why do I stick with sunscreen as one of my top tips for healing the skin?

Well, there are three reasons, mainly. And they’re big ones.

1. If you have skin, you need protection from the sun.

Yes, even the most beautifully-melanated skin needs protection from the sun–don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. Don’t get me wrong, it’s always good to get some vitamin D the old fashioned way. However, sunburn is real, and the long-term effects of being in the sun too long too often can be as serious as cancer. Sun rays are powerful, meaning they can penetrate through clouds, tinted windows, and curtains. You should consider your skin always exposed to sun rays everyday and wear sunscreen to protect yourself.

2. Hyperpigmentation and sun rays don’t mix.

If you are trying to clear dark spots, you have to wear sunscreen to see results. Being anywhere without protection from sun rays will only darken hyperpigmentation, and if you haven’t gotten breakouts under control yet, it certainly won’t be encouraging to see new breakouts leading to new dark spots getting worse over time. 

3. The sun ages you.

Prolonged, frequent exposure can cause early aging–leathery, wrinkled skin and sun spots. This can happen all over the body, wherever the skin is overexposed to sun too often.

So, you see sunscreen plays a big role in healing the skin and maintaining an even complexion. Now that you’re on board, remember these key points about sunscreen to really make it work for you:

• Sun protection factor (SPF) matters. The SPF of a sunscreen product indicates the level of protection it provides from UV radiation. An SPF of at least 30 can block 97% of the sun’s rays.
• Applying sunscreen once often isn’t enough. You should reapply sunscreen every two to three hours or after swimming or sweating.