The Ultimate Guide to Sunscreen: Protecting Your Skin Year-Round

Hey, Skincare fam! Are you still thinking that sunscreen is only a summer thing? The fact is, keeping your skin protected should be an all-out effort every day of the year. Finding an appropriate sunscreen is a very tough task. Well, don’t worry we are here. In this blog post, we’ll share with you the ultimate guide to Sunscreen: Protecting your skin year-round. Let’s dive into it!

Why you need Sunscreen year around:

Sunlight produces essentially two forms of well-known UV radiation: UVA and UVB. Both rays can cause indelible damage to your skin, and mostly you'll feel it when you don't see the sunshine as well as on bright sunny days. The UVA rays go deep into the skin and thus, are the prime causes of premature ageing including wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. The UVA rays also cause sunburn, and they are also significant causes of developing skin cancer.

Over time, exposure even without proper protection from the sun has cumulative damage to the skin. This is the reason you will need to apply sunscreen every day.

What to look for while choosing sunscreen:

Sunscreens can be very different, so while getting one, it helps keep in mind these important factors. 

• Broad-Spectrum Protection: Always choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen. You will be protected from both the UVA and UVB rays. If it's just "SPF", it might just be a one-off and you don't want to take chances with something like that.
• SPF 30 or Above: Use SPF 30 minimum. A lower value will not provide coverage, particularly when outside for long periods. If you plan on being at the beach or spending hours in the sunshine, SPF 50 is perfect for added protection. 
• Water Resistant: Make sure that your sunscreen is water resistant whenever you are soaked in sweat or dipped in the pool. Re-applying every 30 minutes is really annoying when you are living up to your exercise hype.
• Skin Type Specific: Not every sunscreen is suitable for everyone. For oily skin, go for a gel-based or matte finish sunscreen, and for dry skin, go for moisture. For sensitive skin, go with mineral or physical sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Recommendation: Must Try Glopetra Ultra Matte Dry Touch Sunscreen with SPF 50 PA+++ and Glopetra Zinc Tinted Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 50 PA+++ which has all the above-mentioned benefits. It is a perfect solution to fight the sun's rays.

How to apply a sunscreen like a pro! 

Sunscreen can be maximally effective in protecting against sunburn and cancer only if correctly applied and in sufficient quantity. The following tips indicate how to use sunscreen:

Generous application: Most people apply sunscreen in lesser amounts. The rule-of-thumb concerning the full body is about an ounce (roughly a shot glass full). Never forget to cover exposed areas like ears, the back of the neck and the tops of the feet as well.
Regular Reapplication: Sunscreens can wear off by sweating, swimming, or rubbing against clothes. You need to reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if swimming or sweating heavily. 
Do not forget: Your face spends most of the time under the sun whether bright or cloudy. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and don't forget to check for non-comedogenic ingredients so pores are not clogged.

Sunscreen All-Year Round

While most people associate sunscreen with summer, applying it during all seasons is equally important for the skin. After all, UV rays shine through at all times of the year no matter whether it's a sunless or snow-sizzling winter day. The snow reflects UV radiation to give you more exposure during winter times.

There are lots of conditions in indoor environments that expose UV rays. If you spend more time indoors but have windows around as in a workplace with a desk that is closer to a window, you may have UVA exposure. For all-season use, sunscreen must be recommended as part of your morning skincare ritual.

More Sun Protection Tips

Cover Up: Sunscreen isn't the only sun protection; also incorporate into your covers a hat, possibly some dark glasses and long-sleeved clothes to shield skin from sun rays. 
Stay in the Shade: When all possible, you should stay under the shade, especially during the hours when UV rays are said to be most dangerous (between 10 am and 4 pm).
UV index: Find out the local UV Index in your area and how strong UV radiation is in your area. Adjust your sun protection practices to accommodate the variations within the UV index.

Conclusion

Sunscreen is a guarding tool to shield you from the harmful effects of UV rays. There is the right kind of sunscreen, the way of putting it, and then the right into it being part of your daily skincare. With these three harmoniously put together, you're already putting a safe notch off sun exposure and avoiding future skin ageing and skin cancer. Practice sunscreen every day in every season and keep your skin safe from all the harm it keeps it looking younger for very many years to come.

FAQs regarding The Ultimate Guide to Sunscreen: Protecting Your Skin Year-Round

1. Is it okay to avoid sunscreen if it is cloudy or rainy outside? 

No, on cloudy days, even if overcast, UV rays can penetrate through and reach the skin, up to 80%. It is a must to use sunscreen every single day, regardless of any weather. 

2. After how many hours it is advisable to reapply sunscreen?

It is advisable to reapply sunscreen after every two hours, or more often when swimming or sweating, for continued coverage. 

3. Is it safe to say that SPF 50 is better than SPF 30? 

Yes, SPF 50 gives higher protection than SPF 30, but it does not make much difference. Block about 97% of UVB rays by using SPF 30, while SPF 50 blocks about 98%. The important thing is to apply a generous amount of sunscreen and frequently reapply it.