Ah... sunscreen.  The number one recommended dermatologist product just about anywhere you go.  But why? 

This article will help you better understand why sunscreen or SPF is integral to your skin health, and why you would need to add it to your daily skincare routine regardless of your age or skin tone. 

What is SPF?

That goopy thing you slick on your face and exposed body when you go to the beach right?  Well... if they ever make moose sunscreen they can shut up and take my money.  Here's a breakdown of SPF from this decade anyway. 

Sunscreen or sunblock with SPF (sun protection factor) as a skincare product has been around for almost a century.  But its popularity as a must-have on people's daily skincare line is not as robust as it should be. 

Sunscreen is a specialized lotion you apply to the surface of your skin that helps to block the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun that causes skin damage, and sunburn, and can lead to skin cancer. 

When you look at a sunscreen product, the SPF (sun protection factor), usually 15, 30, 40 or 50, is indicated on the label.  Contrary to popular belief, this number does not mean the duration you are protected, but it refers to the degree of protection you're getting from the product.  Your daily sunscreen if you work indoors can be a lower value, and you can bust out the heavier ones for beach days.  

The best sunscreens have broad spectrum protection, and would say on the label "UVA/UVB protection". 

Sunscreens can either be chemical or mineral, with active ingredients such as avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone (for chemical sunscreens) and zinc oxide and titanium oxide (for mineral sunscreens).  

Both chemical and mineral sunscreens are potent at providing the needed SPF.  Many chemical sunscreens may apply more comfortably to the skin, but many mineral sunscreens are deemed to be better for aquatic life as we do wash off our products.  As Finding Nemo says: all drains lead to the ocean.  They're kinder to the fishies. 

Why use SPF?

Human skin has a high natural SPF against the sun.  Makes sense for the organ that covers 100% of our bodies to protect our flesh and internal organs from more than we know. 

But like every organ and system, if we don't help it along, it suffers and breaks down.  

The pigment called melanin in our skin gives it its unique colour and is responsible for creating a defensive tan when we are exposed to the sun.  People who lack melanin will either not tan at all or not tan fast enough.  Though people with paler skin tones may be more at risk of sunburn and skin cancer than people with deeper skin tones, all persons are exposed.

Many people with paler skin tones tan for a "healthy glow", however tanning several shades darker is unhealthy.  It overstresses the organ.  And you should still be applying sunscreen when tanning on a beach or in tanning beds. 

Regardless of if you tan or how you tan, many studies have shown that people who end up with skin cancer did not often apply sunscreen to their daily skincare regimen.  

SPF can also offer you extra protection against forming some wrinkles and blemishes on the skin (sun spots) due to sun damage.  People with acne-prone skin should add sunscreen to their daily arsenal.  

Skincare products, particularly oils and especially acne-fighting products, can leave your skin overexposed to the sun.  And healing scars tend to hyper pigment in the sun no matter how much Mederma or Bio Oil you use. 

Of all the potent skincare products out there, if the sun destroys them off your face and you're not using sunscreen, they're not worth your wallet. 

The sun has damaging effects, but it also provides much-needed Vitamin D that staves off depression.  You should not feel that you need to limit your life in the sun to the perimeter of an umbrella when you may want to experience festivals, the great outdoors, eating dirt at Tough Mudder, or if you're simply driving to work wondering if you're doing enough for your skin while it already does so much for you. 

Who should wear sunscreen?

Everyone.  Everyone has skin.  So everyone. People who tan still get skin cancer, including people with the deepest hues.

The purpose of sunscreen is not to prevent you from tanning anyway, but to help you fight against sunburn and sun damage.  However, if you find that you are tanning too quickly, you feel you are burning up, or your skin gets irritated after sun exposure, even when you are applying and reapplying sunscreen properly and hydrating well, it's best to take breaks from the sun.

Heat stroke and sunstroke are maladies that may have sudden onsets and can land you long hours in the ER.  Construction workers, hikers and athletes, though they spend a lot of time outdoors, do not develop magical immunity but are at higher risk.

People will paler skin tones tend to get reddish when they get burned.  While this redness is more difficult to see in people with deeper skin tones, it does not mean the damage is not there.  Mild to moderate sunburn can cause the skin to feel tender, irritated and even tight when you move around.  It can make washing that area or wearing clothes over that area uncomfortable and the surface layers of the skin can even begin to slough off and lead to permanent scarring.  It is a burn.  That's what skin does when it gets burnt.  Treatments for sunburn are often the same treatments for burns.

While mild sunburn can be treated by taking a break from the sun for a day or two and applying topical treatments to help heal the skin, at the point of tightness and sloughing off, you need medical attention.  

There is a common misconception that if you're travelling, the effect of the sun on the earth is the same in every country.  You'd be wrong.  Wear sunscreen.  You may think that if you "never needed sunscreen" while you were younger, why should you invest in it now?  Because more often than not, sun damage is indiscriminate.  So is cancer.  And sun damage is the leading cause of skin cancer. 

You may also think that you're not at risk for skin cancer if you never remembered getting sunburnt before.  People who develop the disease would tell you otherwise. 

Baby's day out? Apply sunscreen.  (Babies' tender skin burns faster than adults' skin).  Granny out for a walk on the green patch of grass between the bins and the curb.  Apply sunscreen.  Roofer I-been-doin'-this-for-years who put up half the houses in the city?  Apply sunscreen.   The human equivalent to a houseplant who only really goes outside to drive to work or get the mail?  Apply sunscreen.  The spontaneous I'm-going-for-a-walk?  Apply sunscreen.  

How to use sunscreen

This should seem like a no-brainer but it's not.  Follow the instructions on the label, right?  But sometimes we don't read all of the instructions.  

Many people who use sunscreen as part of their daily skincare regimen do not realize that sunscreen takes at least fifteen minutes to activate.  

That means you're supposed to apply sunscreen in the shade before you directly expose yourself to sunshine.  It will break down prematurely otherwise. 

Waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen is revolutionary, however, they are only waterproof within 30 to 90 minutes of the splishy-splashies.  So you will need to reapply it within that time.  And all sunscreens, regardless of how high their SPF is, need to be reapplied within two to three hours of sun exposure.  When you carefully read all the 0.5 point size font on the label anyways, that's what it would say.  

Experts say you should also protect your sunscreen.  What now?  Let me explain.  Exposing your white bottle of Neutrogena Photoready on the lemonade table at the poolside when you frolic with your family is accessible but harms the sunscreen.  Keep your sunscreen in an dark opaque pouch as the sun can get to it through its container.  All sunscreens have an expiry date too, so it's best to use the ones you buy and like and return the ones you don't.  And it's not a good idea to store sunscreen for eons like some squirrel packing for winter like how we humans pack for tropical vacations. 

Finding sunscreen you like can be a process of trial and error to satisfy the look, feel, and needed SPF.  The SPF formula in sunscreen is coloured white to ensure that the user applies to product well.  But for many skin tones, even applying it well can still leave an unwanted white cast on your face and body.  This is especially uncomfortable for people with deeper skin tones.  The white cast can even show through makeup.  Many waterproof sunscreens with high SPF will feel goopy.  But some brands are non-comedogenic that may feel better.  SPF 30 is good for daily wear and higher for beach days or outdoor work.  When in doubt, ask your dermatologist. 

Regardless of the type or brand of sunscreen you use, using it as directed ensures you are getting the best potency out of your product.  And your sunscreen is not some expired residue living rent-free on your face while you think you're protected.  f

Reapplying an SPF-30 sunscreen every several hours you're in the sun is often better than applying an SPF-50 once and staying out there all day. 

When should you wear sunscreen?  

Ideally daily.  Even if you don't plan to go outside.  We are exposed to the sun's rays even indoors from windows. 

As a rule of thumb, apply sunscreen on any unclothed skin when you plan to go outside, including for relaxing on the porch, gardening, walking the dog, driving to and from work, or if you're that brand of crazy who runs outside for exercise, yes - even in the winter.   UV rays are strongest around midday, but they still pack a wallop at sunrise and sunset. 

Contrary to popular belief, sun rays don't go just one way, from the sun to the earth.  They bounce.  They are reflected off of surfaces; mirrors, cars, sidewalks... even clouds on a cloudy day.  And this is why dermatologists say they find evidence of skin cancer under the chin and on the ears - places where people often forget to apply sunscreen.  

Even if you wear an umbrella-sized hat, wear sunscreen.  

And do not forget the tops of your hands when you're driving, and the tops of your feet when you're wearing sandals.  

Your clothing choice is worth examining too.  Certain clothing may be so thin, sheer, light or pigment-lacking that they don't offer the best sunblock either.  I've tanned multiple shades wearing a white school shirt when I was a kid at sports day, people!  There was a definite differential border of colour where my black pants started.   It would help to apply sunscreen under such a shirt. 

Where does sunscreen go in my skincare routine?  I have acne.  And what if I wear makeup? 

Sunscreen should typically be the last product of your daytime skincare routine before you apply your makeup.   

Just because your makeup has pigments doesn't mean it has the SPF you need.

If you're going to be in the sun for a longer time than the protection offered, reapply.  When you reapply sunscreen over your makeup, you can opt for powder or spray-on sunscreens.   

Any spray-on sunscreen still needs to be applied to the skin by rubbing or pressing motions with your fingertips, otherwise, it is very difficult for the skin to absorb the product, and you end up with a rent-free situation again. 

If you have acne-prone skin, opt for skincare products that are labelled non-comedogenic (meaning they won't block pores), including sunscreen.  

Brands, to name a few, available in North America, that are non-comedogenic include Neutrogena, CeraVe, Cetaphil, Vichy, and La Roche-Posay.  Many South Korean brands have powerful formulas and feel comfortable on the skin too. 

Either day, for all skin types, it's not the brightest idea to go to bed without cleaning or washing off your face.  Applying your nighttime routine will help your pores breathe and rejuvenate.  

Skincare routines don't have to break the bank either, especially if you're a student.  Cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen.  And you're set. 

For daytime, opt to wear sunscreen that suits your comfort as well as your needed protection.  Experts say to avoid SPFs that are higher than 50 as SPFs up to this decade only has the effectiveness to go up to 50 anyway. 

Regardless of the sunscreen type you use, many facial sunscreens still burn the flying tearstains out of your eyeballs.  We have tear-free shampoo, we should have tear-free sunscreen.  I'm not opposed to using "for kids" products.  

There are some sunscreens for your eyelids and lips that might not leave you with the brand of red eyes that scream that you went on your "for two" vacation alone after the breakup anyways, in which case, GOOD for you!  And you're wearing sunscreen TOO!

Summary

Didn't think I was about to leave you without one, did I?  Here you go. 

1. What is SPF?  Sunscreen with a sun protection factor.  
2. Why use SPF?  Because you want protection against skin damage and skin cancer.  And you want to enjoy life in the sun instead of being afraid of it. 
3. Who should wear sunscreen?  Everyone.  Including people with deep skin tones.  Including babies, granny, roofers, and human houseplants
4. How to use sunscreen?  Apply in the shade.  Reapply as needed. 
5. When should you wear sunscreen?  Ideally daily.  Especially when you go outside. 
6. Where does sunscreen go in my skincare routine?  I have acne.  And what if I wear makeup?  Sunscreen goes on before your makeup.  Reapply as needed.  Use non-comedogenic products for acne-prone skin. 

Notes

This article contains no text pictures to ensure that every word can be read aloud by a text-to-speech application. And was tested using Google Chrome’s “Read Aloud” add-on.

Resources

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Bio

Tiffany Persaud is a freelance writer who has written for clients and organizations in Canada and the USA, on topics ranging from books, films and media, to health and employment skills. She has her website (https://tiffany-persaud.writing.io/) where she publishes many pieces just like these each week.

References

MasterClass Articles: "How to Reapply Sunscreen Over Makeup: 3 Techniques".  

< https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-reapply-sunscreen-over-makeup >  February 8, 2022.  Accessed on February 7, 2023.