We’re huge proponents of wearing SPF every single day, rain or shine, no matter what. And, this includes wearing sunscreen indoors too, even in winter. Why? Well, nearly all visible effects of aging to the skin are due to sun exposure, so protection is a MUST.
How To Protect Your Skin Everyday
The best anti-aging product you can use, SPF is a vital part of your everyday skin protection plan. But, alongside it there are some other key skin-shielding ingredients that will support in the preventative aging stakes. Here’s our favorite skincare steps to prevent and protect skin.
1. Antioxidants help repair and protect skin. Studies have shown that using a vitamin C serum in conjunction with sunscreen can help boost protection.
2. Blue light and other indoor assailants like pollution (yes, even indoors) can contribute to premature aging and worsen hyperpigmentation. Looking for brightening products to not only protect, but even out tone will be key.
3. And, of course, sunscreen is an ABSOLUTE MUST—indoors and out, every single day. It is the number one way to not only protect your skin, but also to preserve the results of other treatments you’re using to improve it. Don’t be fooled, UV rays directly penetrate through windows.
How Can Our Skin Get Damaged While Indoors?
While it may seem like staying indoors means you’re safe from damaging UV rays, the reality is the sun can still make its way to your skin through windows and incidental exposure like quick trips in the car, a stroll out to the mailbox or taking your dog out on a walk.
While standard glass windows typically block UVB rays, which are the primary cause of sunburns, they do not block UVA rays, which are responsible for what’s called “photo-aging” that leads to wrinkles, sun spots, texture issues, and most concerningly, skin cancer.
Even if it feels like your curtains or blinds are sufficiently blocking these rays, the reality is they’re still getting inside and even indirect exposure can cause lasting damage.
What Other Indoor Skin Stressors Are There?
We spend the majority of our time in front of screens, whether it’s smart phones, tablets, laptops, or TVs. These devices emit blue light, which has a short wavelength and high energy, that can have a damaging effect on the skin and lead to hyperpigmentation or texture issues over time.
In addition to the sun’s UV rays, this high-energy visible light (also known as HEV light) generates free radicals in skin cells, which are unstable molecules that damage collagen and elastin in the skin and result in texture issues like wrinkles and leathery skin, as well as hyperpigmentation like age spots or melasma. Thankfully, SPF provides a shield against the damage HEV can cause. Long story short, wearing SPF everyday and a vitamin C serum, will help prevent damage from any light sources.
Why Is Vitamin C So Important For Skin Protection?
Vitamin C and suncare are the perfect pairing, and using both together helps you maximize protection and prevention.
Remember, the best SPF is the one you use everyday. And, don’t forget to reapply. To ensure maximum protection, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours to maintain effectiveness throughout the day.
Why sunscreen is used?
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.
Is it good to use sunscreen everyday?
The bottom line. Ultraviolet rays increase your risk for skin cancer and skin aging, and you are exposed to them every day. Over time, this sun damage starts to add up. Using sunscreen every day can help protect you from skin cancer and skin changes.
SPF Explained
SPF stands for “sun protection factor,” and it’s how we measure the protection from the sun’s UVB rays. For example, SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%. Experts recommend staying between 30 and 50 SPF—it’s sufficient protection without feeling a false sense of complete sun protection with an option over 50.
You’ll want to make sure your sunscreen is “broad-spectrum,” meaning it protects from both UVA and UVB rays. An easy way to distinguish the two is UVA(ging) and UVB(urning). Both rays have overlapping effects (i.e. both can cause burns and premature aging), but UVA rays are mostly responsible for fine lines and dark spots, while UVB rays play the most significant role in producing skin cancers and sunburns.
Everyone under the sun should wear sunscreen, no matter your skin tone. Generally speaking, you’ll need ½ a teaspoon of sunscreen for your face and neck, then one ounce (enough to fill a shot glass!) for your entire body. Since sunscreens naturally break down over time, we recommend reapplying every two hours, and even more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating. Don’t forget—you need to apply your sunscreen 30 minutes prior to sun exposure!
The Different Types of Sunscreen
There are two main types of sunscreen: physical (a.k.a. mineral) and chemical. Both absorb the sun’s UV rays to help prevent skin damage, but physical sunscreen can reflect some UV rays. Neither is necessarily better than the other, they just use different active ingredients. Chemical SPF typically uses actives like avobenzone and homosalate, whereas physical SPF will contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.
In addition to sunscreen, the American Cancer Society also recommends a holistic approach to sun protection like wearing protective clothing (such as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses), seeking shade (especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), and avoiding tanning beds, which can cause long-term skin damage and contribute to skin cancer.
The best sunscreen for you is the one you’ll want to wear each and every day. Some sunscreens may blend into your skin tone better, you may like the scent of some more than others, and so on. But rest assured, there is a perfect pick for you.
