| DAY 3 OF 7 The Sun and Your Skin We said it before and we'll say it again: sun damage is cumulative. This means there's no such thing as a safe tan. A tan, in fact, is a sign of skin cell damage. On that note, if you only bust out the SPF during beach days, remember that your skin soaks up UV rays everywhere you go. Even when it's cloudy. Even when you're indoors! Before you start panicking, know that it's never too late to jump on the sun protection wagon. (And yes, there's plenty you can do to repair photoaged skin. But more on that later.) Make sunscreen your BFF It's hard to emphasize just how important sunscreen is to your skin care routine. Not only has it been shown to protect against skin cancer (the most common form of cancer in the world), research shows people who use sunscreen daily have significantly fewer signs of aging. Here are some rules to live by when it comes to sunscreen. - Use a minimum of SPF 30: No sunscreen blocks all rays, but SPF 30 will block around 97% of UVB rays and SPF 50 will block around 98%.
- Buy "broad spectrum" sunscreen: This means it protects against UVA and UVB rays.
- Use it every single day: Yes, all the days.
- Reapply more frequently than you think: Every 2 hours if out in the sun for extended periods of time, but you can get away with longer intervals indoors.
- Reapply after swimming: Even water-resistant sunscreen loses effectiveness in water.
- Be generous when applying: Your face needs approximately a nickel-sized dollop while your body needs about a shot glass full of sunscreen.
Use a mineral sunscreen if possible Mineral sunscreens are made of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They provide a physical shield that prevents UV rays from penetrating the skin, unlike chemical sunscreens which work by converting UV light into heat. Since research found that the active ingredients in chemical sunscreens are absorbed into our bloodstream, the FDA is in the process of reevaluating how much of these ingredients get absorbed and what if any effect they might have. However, if you can't find a mineral sunscreen that works with your skin tone — and your wallet — it's still better to use a chemical sunscreen than no sunscreen. Just remember to apply it 15 to 30 minutes before you head out into the sun. Double up on your sun protection In addition to wearing sunscreen, it's a good idea to wear hats and sun protective clothing. Clothing with at least a 30 UPF rating is ideal. Otherwise opt for dark-colored, tightly woven material. Today's challenge: Set yourself up for sun protection success. Keep sunscreen, hats, and long sleeve clothing in convenient places, such as in your car, near your front door, in your purse, etc. Next, stock up on a body sunscreen and a face sunscreen — here are our picks. Coming up, we dig into the powerful healing role that antioxidants, including retinol and vitamin C, play in your skin's health (plus, expert-backed products worth every penny). Take care,
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