Sunscreen: Why It’s Essential

By | January 29, 2025
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Sunscreen: Why It’s Essential – When we think about sun protection, the image that often comes to mind is a sunny summer day at the beach. While it’s true that sun protection is a must during the hot summer months, its importance extends far beyond summer days. In fact, using sunscreen throughout the year is equally essential for keeping your skin healthy and should never be neglected, even when temperatures drop and the days get shorter. Let’s talk about why.

The sun emits harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation year-round, regardless of the season. There are two main types of UV radiation that reach the Earth’s surface: UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays can age your skin prematurely, while UVB rays are responsible for sunburn. Both types of UV radiation are present year-round and can damage skin cells and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Sunscreen: Why It’s Essential

During the winter, our area of ​​the globe experiences snowfall. What you may not realize is that snow can act as a powerful reflector of UV rays. This means that even on a cloudy winter day, snow can bounce UV rays off your skin, increasing your exposure. Skiers and snowboarders are particularly susceptible to this effect, as they spend long periods outdoors in snowy conditions.

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While some people may hibernate indoors during the winter, many continue to engage in outdoor activities. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a run or a day of skiing, you expose your skin to UV rays every time you’re outside. Even on cloudy days, UV rays can penetrate cloud cover, so sun protection should always be part of your outdoor winter routine.

Sunscreen isn’t just about preventing sunburn; It’s also about preserving the health and youthful appearance of your skin. UV radiation accelerates the aging process, causing wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. By applying sunscreen in the winter, you can help maintain the elasticity and radiance of your skin.

Skin cancer does not discriminate based on season. UV radiation is known to be carcinogenic, and constant exposure to it increases the risk of developing skin cancer, including deadly melanoma. Wearing sunscreen year-round is a proactive step to protect yourself from this potentially life-threatening disease.

When using sunscreen in winter, it is important to select the right product. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF (sun protection factor) of 30. Consider a hydrating sunscreen like Exteme Protect SPF 30 from iS Clinical, a sun treatment that protects the DNA of skin cells with Extremozymes.  To combat winter dryness, don’t forget to apply it to all exposed skin areas, including your face, neck and hands.

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Sunscreen is not a seasonal product; It’s a year-round necessity to maintain healthy, glowing skin and reduce the risk of skin cancer. Regardless of the temperature or weather conditions, make sun protection part of your daily skincare routine. By protecting your skin in winter, you can enjoy the benefits of healthy, youthful-looking skin and reduce the risk of skin damage caused by the sun. So, don’t put away your sunscreen when summer ends – keep it on hand for every season. Your skin will thank you for it. As a plastic surgeon, I evaluate faces every day to help my patients improve the quality and health of their skin. One product I always recommend adding to your morning skincare regimen is sunscreen!

Over the course of my career, I’ve learned that patients either love sunscreen or hate it. Proper education on the benefits of sunscreen is the best way to turn sunscreen haters into daily users!

The first and most well-known benefit of sunscreen is protection from the sun. The sun emits three types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB and UVC. Luckily, Earth’s ozone protects us from UVC rays by preventing them from reaching our skin. Unfortunately, UVA and UVB rays reach the Earth and interact with your face every day.

Sunburn can be attributed to UVB rays. These rays are associated with skin damage, sunburn and skin cancer. Regular use of sunscreen combats the ability of these rays to damage the upper layers of the skin. Although the intensity of UVB rays can vary depending on the season, place and time of day, I always recommend protecting yourself from UVB rays, even during winter.

Sunscreen Everyday: Skin Care Experts On Benefits And Types

It’s no secret that excessive sun exposure causes premature signs of aging. UVA rays, which account for 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the Earth, are what cause wrinkles and some types of sun damage.

Patients often ask whether it is advisable to wear sunscreen when indoors or in bad weather. Since UVA rays can pass through clouds and glass, I recommend that you always protect yourself from these harmful rays. Wearing sunscreen when running errands, working, or relaxing at home is always a good way to delay the first signs of aging.

Sun exposure is also known to cause hyperpigmentation and sunspots, which are flat, brown areas on the skin. The presence of sunspots often prevents patients from achieving the even complexion they hope for. While we have corrective treatments for sun spots, it’s best to maintain an even complexion with sunscreen.

Sunscreen works both by preventing the generation of new sunspots and by delaying the presence of wrinkles. These two functions complement each other well to improve the overall appearance and health of the skin.

What Sunscreen Should I Use?

Wearing daily sunscreen is one of my top tips for patients who want to improve the appearance of their face! I can’t stress enough the health and aesthetic benefits of sunscreen. Products like ZO SmartTone are a great addition to your morning skincare routine. ZO SmartTone not only provides broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays, but also protects your skin from harmful HEV light emitted by screens and monitors. Many patients even replace their foundation or tinted moisturizer with ZO SmartTone as it provides a subtle tint and brightness to the skin. We include products that we believe will be useful to our readers. If you purchase through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

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This is where sunscreen comes in. But how much should you use to get optimal protection? Below, experts evaluate the amount of SPF to apply to protect the skin from harmful UV rays.

Whether it’s a tried-and-true skincare regimen, how often you wash your hair, or what cosmetics you’re curious about, beauty is personal.

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That’s why we rely on a diverse group of writers, educators, and other experts to share their advice on everything from how to vary product application to the best sheet mask for your individual needs.

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According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one of the most effective ways to protect your skin is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays.

“We can protect the elements from buildup that can increase premature aging and skin cancer risk,” says Erum N. Ilyas, MD, MBE, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and CEO and founder of sun-safe clothing brand AmberNoon.

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But Ilyas says using the right amount of sunscreen is an important step in reducing the risk of sun damage.

Put an ounce of sunscreen all over your body or enough to fill a shot glass. And don’t forget your face.

The head and neck make up 4% of the surface area, according to Cynthia Bailey, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Bailey Skin Care.

Do the math and that’s about 0.04 ounces of sunscreen you’ll need to apply to your face.

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Bottom Line For most people, experts suggest applying an ounce of sunscreen all over your body or enough to fill a shot glass. Then, add 0.04 ounces of sunscreen to your face, or enough to just fill the bottom of a shot glass.

Sure, 0.04 ounces can be hard to visualize when you’re sitting in a beach chair with your toes in the sand.

It turns out: you can use everyday objects to measure how much sunscreen to apply to your face.

Need a quick conversion or a handy image to know how much sunscreen to apply on your face? Try them on to see the size when you spread them across the screen.

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Measuring cups aren’t just for cooking. You can also use them to make sure you apply the optimal amount of sunscreen.

Both Ilyas and Bailey say measuring sunscreen with a teaspoon might be the easiest way to do it.

Ilyas suggests opting for 1/3 teaspoon for extra protection if you’re in a sunny area or if you’re generally prone to sunburn.

If part of your job requires measuring objects with beakers or syringes, you may find it helpful to think in terms of milliliters.

How Much Sunscreen Should You Use On Your Face?

Also, if you have a syringe or measuring cup at home, they might come in handy when it’s time to put on sunscreen.

Ilyas says that grams to milliliters is a one-to-one conversion, so you’ll want to apply