Wearing sunscreen is one of the best — and easiest — ways to protect your skin's appearance and health at any age. Used regularly, sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging. To help make sunscreen a part of your daily routine, dermatologist Anna Chien addresses common concerns.
“The UVL rays cause damage to our skin cells increasing the risk of skin aging and skin cancer. Using sunscreen on a daily basis is critical to protect the skin cells from this damage. This includes cloudy days when up to 80% of the UVL rays will penetrate through the clouds.”
With a healthy amount of sun exposure, Vitamin D from the sun can reduce cancer cell growth, help control infections, and reduce inflammation. And we're not just hypothesizing. Sun exposure benefits have been scientifically proven.
Many cultures developed their own methods to keep their skin from burning, from pastes and lotions derived from ingredients found in nature, to special clothing that warded off the sun. It's fascinating to know how far we've come with sun protection, especially since nowadays, sunscreen is nearly invisible on the skin.
As the researchers pointed out, just because an ingredient is absorbed into the bloodstream does not mean that it is harmful or unsafe. Most importantly, the study authors and the FDA concluded that people should continue to use sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun.
For example, persistent sun exposure without sunscreen can cause you to age prematurely, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and even skin discoloration. If you experience repeated sunburns over a number of years, you could also increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
Plant Oils
Studies have shown that herbal oils contain natural sun protection factors, although most of them remain under SPF 10. In a 2011 study published in the Journal of Young Pharmacists, researchers found that calendula oil can be used to protect the skin from UV radiation with an SPF of around 15.
Wearing sunscreen is one of the best — and easiest — ways to protect your skin's appearance and health at any age. Used regularly, sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging. To help make sunscreen a part of your daily routine, dermatologist Anna Chien addresses common concerns.
Participants with higher skin cancer risk (e.g., pale skin) were less likely to use sunscreen infrequently or never. The major reasons for not using sunscreen were inconvenience and no perceived need for applying sunscreen.
One of the most significant consequences of skipping sunscreen is accelerated aging. Prolonged exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays can lead to premature wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.
If you didn't use sunscreen when you were younger, you may think that the damage is done. But it's never too late to start protecting your skin. Our expert says a good sun safety routine can make a big difference at any age.
UVB wavelengths happen to be the specific wavelengths that trigger vitamin D production in the skin. Nonetheless, clinical studies have never found that everyday sunscreen use leads to vitamin D insufficiency. In fact, the prevailing studies show that people who use sunscreen daily can maintain their vitamin D levels.
However, those seeking the safest products in the US market should look for physical, also known as “mineral,” sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. That's because “there are fewer concerns about absorption and safety”, says King.
While not suitable as a primary sunblock for extended sun exposure, coconut oil can be integrated into sun care routines as an after-sun soother or in sunscreen formulations. For comprehensive sun protection during outdoor activities, rely on dedicated sunscreens, using coconut oil as a supplementary skincare treat.
SKIN PROTECTION AGAINST UV RAYS
Stepping out every day into the sun can damage your skin by causing it to dry and become uneven-toned. Help improve, prevent and protect your skin against UV rays with Vaseline®.
Exposure to light is a top cause of premature aging: Sun exposure causes many skin problems. Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.
Sunshine seems to make a strong case against daily sunscreen. When we step outside on a clear day, the sun's ultraviolet light triggers the body to produce endorphins that lower stress and boost mood. UV rays also tell our skin to make vitamin D.
Dr. Beer: It's actually a myth that 80 percent of sun damage to the skin is done before age 18. Only about 23 percent of a person's lifetime exposure occurs by age 18. Adults over 40—especially men—actually have the highest annual exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
What is toxic, however: not wearing sunscreen whenever you spend time outside—wearing sunscreen is vital to preventing skin cancer and the other harmful effects of UV damage.
This lead us to conclude that for optimal vitamin D synthesis at minimal risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), the best time for sun exposure is between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thus, the common health recommendation (that sun exposure should be avoided between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and postponed to the ...