Wearing sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect your skin against ultraviolet rays of the sun which is one of the principal causes of skin cancer and premature aging.
By incorporating sunscreen into your daily skincare routine, you can maximize your protection against these harmful effects and enjoy a healthy and glowing skin.Â
However, some delicate areas of the body such as the face, neck and ears require the application of sunscreen the most because these parts of the body are highly exposed to the sun and often receive the most direct sunlight.
But this does not change the facts that areas like the shoulders, arms, and legs are commonly exposed and should be adequately protected with sunscreen
One common mistake people make is to wear sunscreen only on the legs, arms, shoulders, and neglect the face and neck for an unforeseen fear of breakouts.
Why do you need sunscreen on your face
The main reason why you need sunscreen on your face is that, the face is often more exposed to sunlight and is therefore at high risk of sun damage, which can lead to premature aging, wrinkles, and sunburn.Â
Application of sunscreen on the face helps to reduce these risks and give you a healthy and glowing skin.
What are the benefits of Sunscreen For Face
Apart from protection against harmful UV rays, premature aging, wrinkles and others common benefits, there are other unknown pros of applying sunscreen to your face that you don’t know. These benefits include:
1. it helps to maintain an even skin tone
Sunscreen plays a crucial role in maintaining an even skin tone. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s rays can lead to the development of uneven pigmentation, such as sunspots or melasma.
By incorporating sunscreen into your daily skin care routine and consistently applying ones with a broad-spectrum formula, you can prevent these pigmentation irregularities from forming or worsening.
This helps to maintain a more uniform complexion and reduces the need for additional corrective treatments.
2. helps in the Preservation of cosmetic procedures’ results
Cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or laser treatments can make your skin more prone to UV damage during the healing process, and unprotected sun exposure can also compromise the results. So using sunscreen becomes even more critical in this condition.
Applying sunscreen during these time helps protect the treated area, preventing discoloration, hyperpigmentation, and other complications that can arise from sun exposure post-treatment.
3. it helps in the Prevention of under eye area damage
Prolonged sun exposure can contribute to the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles around the eyes. Applying sunscreen to this area can help prevent these signs of aging and maintain the skin’s elasticity.
Look for gentle, fragrance-free sunscreen that is specifically formulated for the eye area and ensure you don’t apply directly into your eyes.
4. it Prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) refers to the dark spots or patches that often develop after skin inflammation or injury, such as acne breakouts or eczema flare-ups.
Sun exposure can worsen Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) and make the dark spots more noticeable.
So, by wearing sunscreen regularly on the face, you can prevent the darkening and aid in the fading process and this would also allow your skin to heal more effectively and reduce the appearance of discoloration.
5. Protection against high-energy visible (HEV) light
Apart from the sun UV rays, our phone and other electronic devices such as laptops, tablets as well as indoor lighting emit high-energy visible (HEV) light, which is also known as blue light.
Prolonged exposure to HEV light can contribute to skin damage and premature aging. Certain sunscreens contain ingredients that help block or neutralize the effects of HEV light, offering an added layer of defense for your skin.
When should you apply sunscreen on face
Aside from the night hours, you should apply sunscreen to your face about 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside.
It should also be the very last step in your skin care routine, though it can go under your makeup.
Don’t forget to apply it to your ears, your neck, and the back of your hands, as these areas are also exposed to the sun.
Remember to reapply at least every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating heavily.
Choosing the best sunscreen for your face
Choosing the best sunscreen for the face can sometimes be overwhelming especially when you’re being offered with so many options.
However, the secret to selecting the best sunscreen for your face lies in understanding some special concept such as knowing the best SPF for the face, your skin type, sun exposure level, Broad-Spectrum Protection, sunscreen ingredients and your skin reactions.
What SPF is best for the face: SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is the medium by which the concentration of a sunscreen is measured.
Traditionally, the higher the SPF the better the protection. The best SPF for the face is generally recommended to be 30 or higher.Â
When choosing an SPF, it’s important to look for one that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. This is often referred to as broad-spectrum protection.
By selecting a broad-spectrum SPF, you can can be rest assured that your skin is shielded from the harmful effects of the sun, keeping it healthy and protected.
Also, people with lighter or fairer skin may benefit from using a higher SPF, such as SPF 50 or even SPF 50+ because fair skin tend to have less natural protection against the sun’s rays, making them more prone to sunburn and skin damage.
So, using higher SPF provides an extra layer of protection which can be helpful in preventing sunburn and reducing the risk of skin damage.
But this doesn’t mean that people with dark skin type should not apply an spf of 30+. With this, it’s important to note that no sunscreen can provide 100% protection, and reapplication and other sun protection measures such as wearing of hat, and avoiding staying under the sun are still necessary.
Speaking about your sun exposure level, you should apply sunscreen whether the sun is visible or not, both indoor and outdoor because UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows and cause damage to your skin.
How to use sunscreen for face correctly
Using sunscreen correctly is crucial to ensure maximum effectiveness and protection for your face.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply sunscreen properly on your face:
1. Make sure your face is clean: To enhance the effects of sunscreen on the face, it should be applied on a clean face. Wash using your favorite facial cleanser to remove makeup and oil that could prevent the sunscreen from sticking properly.
2. Apply sunscreen as the last step of your skincare routine: After cleansing, toning, and moisturizing your face, allow the products to absorb fully before applying sunscreen. Sunscreen should be the final layer of protection on your skin.
3. Take an adequate amount: Use enough sunscreen to cover your entire face and neck. The quantity of sunscreen you should apply to the face is 1/4 teaspoon. This quantity is a general guideline and can vary slightly depending on the size of your face.
You can as well adjust the quantity as needed based on your face size and ensure you have proper coverage.
4. Apply in a gentle, and even manner: Start by dotting small amounts of sunscreen all over your face, focusing on the forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, and neck. Then, using clean fingers or a makeup sponge, gently blend the sunscreen in upward and outward motions until it’s evenly distributed all over your face.
5. Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going out: Allow sufficient time for the sunscreen to absorb into your skin before going outside. This allows the ingredients to bind to your skin and provide optimal protection.
Also don’t forget that sunscreen wears off over time, especially with sweat, water exposure, or towel drying. So you should reapply after every two hours, or more frequently if you are sweating or engaging in water activities.
Conclusion
The benefits of applying sunscreen to your face can never be overemphasized. By knowing these benefits, you can make informed choices to keep your skin healthy and radiant.
What’s your experience with the application of sunscreen to your face? we’ll love to hear from you.
