5 Sunscreen Mistakes you are Probably Making

We can all agree that a glowing tan looks great, but it shouldn't come at the expense of our health.

Wearing sunscreen is extremely important to protect your skin, but it's not something reserved just for the beach or sunny afternoons.

What's more, is that the effects of sun damage go way beyond sunburn and extreme tans.

To understand protection, it's important to identify the main culprits: ultraviolet (UV) rays.

UV rays come in two variations, both of which have negative effects on our health. UVA rays contribute to signs of aging, skin cancer and may result in wrinkles and sagging. This means that wearing sunscreen is the perfect addition to your anti-aging routine, which we previously discussed here on The Pink Velvet Blog.

On the other hand, UVB rays don’t only cause sunburn; they are stronger than UVA Rays and much more potent in causing skin cancer.

That being said, it’s not enough that you slather on a layer of sunscreen and call it a day. If you want to know how to boost skin protection against the sun, here are some common sunscreen mistakes that you’re probably making.

5 Sunscreen Mistakes you are Probably Making

1. You Don’t use Enough of it

If there's one product you shouldn't scrimp on, it's sunscreen. Dermatologists recommend about an ounce or a shot glass full of sunscreen for enough coverage.

5 Sunscreen Mistakes you are Probably Making

Make sure to spread it all over your exposed skin and re-apply multiple times throughout the day. That's because most brands only work for about two hours. If you're worried about messing up your make-up, try a spray formula that absorbs quickly.

2. You only wear it in the Summer

Most people think that sunscreen is only necessary for sunny weather. However, an overcast or cloudy day doesn’t mean UV rays cannot penetrate the skin. They still can! Make it a habit to put on an adequate amount in all types of weather, rain or shine.

3. You don’t read the Label

Not all sunscreen is made equal, which is why it’s important to read the labels and check the ingredients. First off, check for the sun protection factor (SPF) on the bottle. This number indicates the amount of protection it offers against UV rays, meaning the higher the number, the more effective it is.

A minimum SPF of 30 is ideal for all skin tones to protect against harmful radiation.

For your face, you'll also need a special formula. The sunscreen from La-Roche Posay has an SPF of 50 and broad-spectrum protection, which basically means that it blocks out both UVA and UVB rays, giving you the most protection.

Come summertime, you'll want to consider water-resistant brands for those poolside hangouts.

4. You only rely on Bottled Sunscreen

Staying protected from UV rays doesn’t just mean using sunscreen. Don't forget that umbrellas and wide-brimmed hats exist and these will add another layer of protection to your skin.

5 Sunscreen Mistakes you are Probably Making

Even at the beach, don't shy away from wearing pants, shirt, or cover-ups. The button-down shirts on Woman Within feature long sleeves, which should provide enough protection for your arms under the sun. The breathable fabric is perfect for those humid days and they also look stylish over a swimsuit with the sleeves rolled up.

Other than clothing, trusty sunglasses will keep your eyes shielded too.

5. You Forget to cover Critical Areas

No one wants to age prematurely, but many people actually miss some very critical spots when they apply sunscreen.

The earlobes, hands, chest, nose bridge, and eyelids are all important if you want to maintain a youthful glow. Some areas are also more prone to aging, such as your neck.

Summing Up-

As much as the wearing of sunscreen is important, using it in the right way also plays an Important role. From the huge variety of formulas. from gel to creme, spray, and lotion, make sure to go for sunscreen as per your skin type. In case you find your skin not behaving well with the SPF, include vitamin-c serum in your skincare routine.

So This was it for today. I hope you have found this post helpful. Have a Good Day! 😇