Although we should look after our skin all year round we need to remember that UV damage is a very real issue and we need to take protection seriously. It’s also really important if you have pale skin or work outdoors.
Looking after your skin in the sun has a variety of benefits:
Protects Against Sun Damage
Sunscreen prevents your skin from burning. The higher the sun protection factor (SPF) the better the protection.
If you’re lying in the sun in your garden, or on the beach then you should use an SPF of 30 or 50 depending on how pale you are. Holiday sunscreen should be waterproof and applied regularly throughout the day.
Reduces your risk of skin cancer
Skin cancer is becoming more common. This could be as a result of the importance people place on looking tanned. It means that many people are using sunbeds or spending more time in the sun to achieve a tan. You can reduce your risk by avoiding sunbeds (there are so many great fake tans available) and using sun cream if you want to lie in the sun.
Slows down the effects of ageing
Sun damage ages your skin. You can get age spots and brown patches which spoil your complexion. If you are in the sun a lot your skin will eventually lose its elasticity and its softness. The skin will become dehydrated which will lead to lines and wrinkles. If you want to keep your skin’s soft texture you need to use plenty of sunscreen to protect your skin from dehydration.
Protects all skin types
Whether your skin is dark or pale you still need protection from the sun. If you have a skin condition like eczema or rosacea choose sunscreen for sensitive skins, or better still, pick one designed for babies which won’t contain any ingredients that will cause irritation.
image:istock.com/bernardbodo
