Reminder to put on your sunscreen!

Summertime means it’s time we review the importance of sunscreen for EVERY skin type and lifestyle. Harmful UV rays affect everyone 365 days a year no matter your skin color, race, gender or lifestyle. Not only are you affected outdoors on sunny days, cloudy days and indoor activities will also leave you exposed. When you sit indoors in front of your screens: laptop, tablets, phones, TV and under your fluorescent lights, your skin is at risk for developing irritation, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, fine line and wrinkles, cancer and more. Which means, you need to be wearing sunscreen every single day to protect your skin.

So what is SPF and how does it work?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor: A number on a scale for rating the degree of protection provided by sunscreens. SPF numbers on a package can range from as low as 2 to as high as 100. These numbers refer to the product’s ability to screen or block out the sun’s burning rays. (www.medicinenet.com)

We know harmful UV rays will damage the skin, trigger the degradation of collagen and elastin and accelerate skin ageing but what you may not know is that daily protection also gives your skin the opportunity to repair itself from previous sun damage.

We are taught to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or less depending on your outdoor activity. For example, if you are swimming or sweating a lot you should re-apply throughout the day. However, if you are staying indoors and not exposed to direct sunlight your SPF should remain effective.

If you’re looking for mineral, organic sunscreen try Om4Men’s PROTECT Sun Secure Mineral SPF 30. This lightweight sunscreen can be used by both men and women and will provide a natural, organic option for sun protection. You can also check out Eminence Organics mineral sunscreen options like their award winning Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40.

If you prefer to get your sun protection via your mineral makeup, Eminence and Jane Iredale have incredible SPF-protecting powders and more that provide flawless coverage.  Or, see Naturopathica's amazing line of sunscreen products.

No matter what sunscreen you choose remember that it’s only effective if you use it and re-apply as needed based on your daily indoor & outdoor activities. When thinking about your skin care routine, remember it’s less expensive to protect your skin than it is to correct the damage sun exposure will cause.

Written by Jennifer Sposato