Here’s Why SPF Is Your BFF!

All our lives we have been told to play outside and bask in the sun. No doubt this helps restore our much needed Vitamin D for the body, but  it can also damage our skin. No one talks enough about this side of the sun story (which is equally important)!

It is impossible to stay at home just to avoid sun rays right? But you do not have to do that if you have enough sun protection to cover your skin. 

This summer, have fun at the beaches, but not at the cost of your skin. It is extremely important to protect our skin against the harmful rays of the sun, to keep it from tanning, getting pigmented and worse, to experience skin cancer.

How do we do this? The simple answer lies in using sunscreen. Yes, we hear a lot about it, but never actually use it, do we?

It is high time we start implementing sunscreen in our skincare regimen to keep our skin intact. Still not convinced? Read further to know why you need sunscreen in your bag ASAP.

CONTENT INDEX

• What does sunscreen mean?
• Why do we need sun protection?
• Importance of using sunscreen

Before we go to the advantages, let us start from the basics. 

What Is Sunscreen?

Sunscreen simply means a cream or liquid applied on the skin to protect it against harmful rays of the sun and prevent sunburn. 

You should apply sunscreen every day, even if you are not going out. Try applying topically on your face and neck for the best results. It is even used for keeping makeup intact. You can try a chemical or physical sunscreen depending on your skin type. 

Why Do We Need Sun Protection?

As we age, our skin barrier keeps getting thinner. This is bad news, since we need extra formula to protect our skin against sun damage. This is where different sun protection techniques are used to keep our skin problems at bay. 

Otherwise, our skin, when exposed to too much sun, can result in sunburn, itching, allergies, deep acne scars, wrinkles and tanning. In worse cases, it can even cause skin-related conditions that become difficult to treat. 

This is why sun protection is extremely vital for our skin.

3 S’s Used For Protecting Your Skin

Sunscreen - Make it a habit to use sunscreen just like you use your phone! Whenever you step out, apply enough formula on your skin parts that are getting exposed. 

They are also called SPF (sun protection factor). The number attached to it usually talks about the extent of protection it can give your skin against the sun. For example, if you use SPF 15, it would give you 15 times the protection, which means you would begin to burn only after 150 minutes in the sun. There is one more thing, the higher the SPF, the higher the sun protection. Before you buy a sunscreen, keep these things in mind:

• choose an SPF of at least 15, preferably 30
• apply the sunscreen generously on your face, neck and hands, do it at least fifteen minutes before you step out.
• reapply your sunscreen every two hours

Sun avoidance - limit your daily sun exposure tobetween 10 am and 4 pm. When you are outside, look out for shady spots. Also, don’t forget your sunscreen.

Sun-protective clothing - one easy way to protect your skin from the sun, is to keep the exposed areas of your skin covered while out in the sun. Wear light colored,full sleeves or pants, as tightly woven fabric provides more protection than loose ones.

Next up, we will see why we need to add sunscreen to our routine.

Reasons Sunscreen Is Your Skin’s Best Friend

Sun protection

One of the main reasons for using sunscreen products is to get  protection against the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun.

With increasing pollution and depleting ozone layer, we are prone to the harmful rays of the sun at an intense rate. Though sunlight is required for getting our daily dose of Vitamin D, it should compromise our skin health.

Goodbye aging

A sunscreen not only protects your skin against sun rays, but also prevents potential signs of premature aging. If you want a younger looking, glowing and healthy skin, start using sunscreen right away. Studies show that applying sunscreen on a regular basis, increases collagen production and shields your skin from developing wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of aging. 

Prevents sunburns

Another reason why people love using sunscreen, especially during summers, is that they create a protective skin barrier — which, in turn, prevents sunburns.

Sunburn is a skin condition that can make the skin thinner, and more prone to bruises. It also makes the skin transparent. Your skin may experience intense burning, redness, itching, swelling and hives. This occurs due to the sun. The blisters can even lead to skin cancer. This is why you need sunscreen in your bag. Always!

Reduces risk of skin cancer

While sunscreens are used for beauty purposes, they also benefit our skin health. Research shows that using sunscreen on a daily basis can reduce the risk of different types of skin cancers . 

De-tanning

Sunscreen in skincare is also used to prevent skin from tanning. Though tan is healthy up to a limit, you are putting your skin at tremendous risk of exposure to UV rays.

Choose a sunscreen that has a minimum of SPF 30 (or more) to prevent tanning. Don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen once every two hours to seek complete protection, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Sunscreens are better than sleeved dresses

It is nearly impossible to keep all areas of skin covered all the time. Even if you did, the sun’s rays can seep through — especially, if your cotton dress is damp. It does not serve the purpose at all, and it is better to use sunscreen over a fully-covered dress.

To sum up, using sunscreen is a must, whether it is summer or winter, indoors or outdoors.  Re-apply every 2 hours, and use a moisturizing sunscreen for added benefits. Also, use sunscreens that are free from toxic chemicals and have natural healing ingredients.

Apart from this, having a diligent skincare regimen is important to maintain the skin’s health. Using organic products, free from chemicals, reduces potential damage to the skin. One such organic brand is UnbottleCo. They have a range of products that offer skintelligent®solutions to our skin problems. 

Acne-clearing Serum Proven to Fight Acne & Dark Spots with Chamomile & Safflower

This serum treats acne and dark spots with botanical actives. It is also non-comedogenic, which means it does not clog your pores. 

To treat:

• Wintergreen-derived salicylic acid acts on acne and dries it out.
• Safflower seed is an antioxidant storehouse and lightens acne scars.

To prevent recurrence:

• Chamomile acts as a powerful antioxidant to eliminate free radicals.
• Cherimoya fruit extract reduces the body’s oxidative stress.

Deep Hydration Handmade Soap Proven to Fight Dry Skin with Lactic Acid & AHA 

Hi! I’m Tuco Skintelligent®'s deep hydration handmade soap. Here are the botanical super-actives I have in me.

To treat:

• Lactic acid is a natural AHA which helps skin elasticity and lightens dark spots
• Sodium hyaluronate has the magical duality to moisturize skin and reduce inflammation

To prevent recurrence:

• Arginine PCA captures skin moisture and keeps it hydrated all day long
• Alpha-arbutin brightens skin tone and heals skin damage
• Tocopherol is a fantastic antioxidant to detox skin

Skin Brightening Face Cleanser Proven to Even Out With Kakadu Plum & Licorice Root

Hi! I’m Tuco Skintelligent® 's Skin Brightening Face Cleanser. Here are the super-actives I have in me.

To treat:

• Kakadu plum, rich in Vitamin C, boosts skin brightening
• Licorice Root is proven to reverse hyperpigmentation

To prevent recurrence:

• Lactic acid, a natural AHA, helps skin elasticity and lightens dark spots
• Arginine PCA is a natural amino acid, which captures skin moisture and keeps it hydrated all day long