Most people don’t realize how damaging the sun’s rays can be on our delicate facial skin.
It’s recommended to apply a UVA, UVB physical sunscreen every morning to help protect you from skin cancer and premature aging, because no one wants that!
Physical sunscreens work by reflecting or scattering rays from the skin. Currently, there are only two FDA-approved physical sunscreen ingredients that does this: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Using a broad spectrum sunscreen is ideal in that its broad-spectrum filters both UVA and UVB rays.
Most dermatologists and skin scientists believe that a sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher is best. If you are in direct sunlight, the sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours, while sunscreen worn to the office on a typical day without excessive direct sun exposure does not need to be reapplied.
There are safer times to be in the sun. The sun is at its peak at noon. If you avoid outside sun exposure between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, you will minimize the damage that might occur.
And sorry, that white blouse and cute floppy hat aren’t really going to provide much protection. It’s possible to get sunburned through a t-shirt! But nowadays, there is specialty-made clothing available that has measured SPF in it, designed to reflect light. Unfortunately that only covers your face, so make sure to wear your sunscreen!