Summer is here, and so is the season of days spent by the swimming pool, trips to the beach, barbeques, time outside and lots. of. sun. Those summer rays may feel good on your skin, but it isn't always good for your skin. While sun exposure is necessary for your body to create vitamin D, overexposure causes and accelerates signs of aging, cell damage and skin cancer. Sunscreen protects you from overexposure and all the skin health detriments that come with it.
How the Sun Can Damage Your Skin
The sun gives off both UVA and UVB rays. The shorter UVB rays do not penetrate very deeply. As a result, they burn the top layer of your skin. Longer UVA rays penetrate into deeper layers of your skin. Both types of UV radiation cause molecular changes that damage the DNA within your skin's cells and ultimately affect your appearance. UVA and UVB radiation can cause:
- Diminished elasticity
- Wrinkles
- Thinning or thickened skin
All of these changes add up to premature skin aging. And, it's cumulative the more time you spend in the sun, the earlier you skin begins to age. Your skin does have some self-repair capability, but as you age, that ability declines. And hidden damage below the surface can show up later in life. What's worse, though, is that repeated damage can alter skin cell's DNA, leading to the development of skin cancer.
How Sunscreen Helps Protect Your Skin
Sunscreen works by keeping UV rays from penetrating your skin. There are two mechanisms by which sunscreens can work:
- Block UV radiation - these sunscreens use a mineral barrier to block/reflect UV radiation so that it never penetrates your skin at all.
- Lock UV radiation - these sunscreens use chemicals that absorb and trap UV radiation to prevent oxidative damage.
When you choose a full-spectrum sunscreen, you get sun protection against the full spectrum of UV radiation UVA and UVB rays.
Using a Skin-Safe Sunscreen
When it comes to sunscreen, it's important to note that not all sunscreens are equal. Many sunscreens use chemicals like avobenzone and oxybenzone that, unfortunately, cause irritation and may themselves be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Hale Cosmeceuticals' Complexion Protection sunscreen is a vegan, mineral-based sunscreen. We combine titanium dioxide (the UV-blocking mineral compound) with other natural ingredients to deliver additional skin health benefits.
Contact us today to learn more about our Complexion Protection sunscreen!
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