Why am I writing an article about sunscreen in the middle of winter, you may ask? Well, if it's light outside, that means the sun is out. Just because it's cloudy, or snowy, or there is a hurricane or blizzard, does not mean the sun’s UV rays took the day off. Too many people take the winter off from their sunscreen regimen, but sunscreen needs to be worn every day, in every season, regardless of the weather.
Make Sunscreen Part of Your Daily Routine
Sunscreens are now built right into your moisturizer, foundation, lip balm, and even some hair care products. If the weather is warm and you have more skin exposed, you just have to allow yourself a few more minutes before leaving the house to put it on. Sunscreens are so easy to apply these days. You really have no excuse. Just wear it. And please put it on your children!
Sunscreen vs. Sunblock
Sunscreens work by absorbing the sun’s harmful UV rays and neutralizing them before they can damage the body. Sunblocks, also known as physical sunscreens, contain trace amounts of zinc or titanium dioxide and actually prevent the UV rays from entering the body by reflecting and scattering them. Products referred to as “Broad Spectrum Protection” contain both absorbing and physical sunscreen ingredients.
One more thing…a higher SPF does NOT mean better protection. It just means more chemicals, which can do more damage than good. If you use an SPF of 15 to 30 and reapply it as needed throughout the day, you will be fine.
Which is better?
There are so many different sun protection products available, how do you know which to choose? Which is the most effective? Which is safest? Don’t sunscreens contain chemicals? Aren’t those chemicals harmful?
In a word, yes. Sunscreen ingredients are toxic. The mineral-based sunblocks are considered to be safer, but now there are even studies suggesting that titanium dioxide can get absorbed into the bloodstream and cause damage over time. Many cosmetic manufacturers who use titanium dioxide are starting to either use lower concentrations of it (“nano” or “micro-sized” particles), or are switching to zinc oxide.
Article comments
1 - andrew
25 years ago I could play basketball on the streets and under the sun all day long with out having a sun burn on my skin, today you have to put this sunscreen and sunblock protection before you could stay longer under the sun.
2 - Rachael Pontillo
Today, problems with the ozone layer, pollution, etc have magnified the harmful effects of the rays. My skin changed as I aged too...I used to wear no sunscreen as a child and never burn, but as I got a little older I found myself turning pink quickly. I started with the sunscreen as soon as that started happening and have not stopped.
3 - Mat R
silly advice like this is why we have massive amounts of Breast colon and prostate cancer.. You need sunlight!! its how we evolved as a species!
Chemical sunscreen EVERY day even in the winter is as stupid as wearing a life jacket to work everyday! ( unless you work on a boat!)
google ingredients like Oxybenzone.. that might change your mind about Sunscreen!
Check your vitamin D levels
4 - Rachael Pontillo
I did list oxybenzone as an ingredient to avoid. And yes, you have to supplement with Vitamin D. I am not saying stay inside all the time, but when outside you do need to protect yourself with a SAFE sun protection product if you want to help prevent skin cancer and premature aging.
5 - Dr Dreadful
Then, of course, there is the safest sun protection product of all.
Clothing.
6 - Rachael Pontillo
Excellent point!