While we all know and feel how harsh the Australian sun can be, not all of us pay attention to how vital it is to wear sunscreen every day, and not just when you’re spending the day outside.
Sunscreen is the most powerful and important preventative skin care product and developing the habit of applying sunscreen every day is the best way to protect our skin from sunburn, skin damage, premature ageing and worst of all, skin cancer.
How does sunscreen protect our skin?
Sunscreen plays an important role in blocking ultraviolet (UV) radiation from damaging the skin. There are two types of sunscreens; Chemical and Physical, and they each work very differently to protect our skin from the sun. See our blog The Difference Between Chemical and Physical Sunscreens to learn more about this.
We are so proud to say that our Noosa Naturals sunscreens are physical (mineral) sunscreens. Physical sunscreens sit on the surface of the skin and create a physical barrier between the skin and the sun, reflecting UV rays. Think of them as a shield for your skin. Physical sunscreens use natural filters (Zinc Oxide) and are effective immediately after application.
Why is it important to wear sunscreen?
There is no skincare product more important than sunscreen and here are a few reasons why:
- Sunscreen protects our skin from harmful UV rays. The risk of sun damage has increased with the depletion of the ozone layer and will continue to increase. Sunscreen blocks these UV rays, greatly reducing the likelihood of sunburn. In particular, our Noosa Naturals sunscreens are broad spectrum SPF 50 sunscreens, meaning they protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays and have a very high sun protection factor compared to other sunscreens on the market.
- Sunscreen prevents premature ageing. When skin is exposed to the sun without protection, UV rays penetrate into the skin damaging the elastic fibers that keep the skin firm. Thus, unprotected skin develops wrinkles much faster than protected skin because UV rays are blocked from protected skin. No one wants to age faster than they naturally do!
- Sunscreen helps to maintain an even skin tone. Not only is the sun responsible for premature ageing, its also responsible for skin discoloration and dark spots. Many people spend so much time and money undergoing potentially harmful beauty rituals and applying makeup everyday to eliminate or cover up spots and discoloration when sunscreen truly is the answer! If you are unhappy with your skin tone and don’t wear sunscreen everyday (and we’re not talking about the small spf factor in your makeup) we highly recommend doing so from now on!
- Sunscreen lowers your risk of skin cancer. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, about 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70, and about 2000 Australians die from skin cancer each year. These statistics are just heartbreaking, and it’s even more heartbreaking to see a large amount of the Australian population not doing much to minimise or prevent such large numbers! All we need to do is wear sunscreen every day. That’s all it takes to make a huge difference.
Why must we wear sunscreen every single day?
Sunscreen should be applied every single day, even if it’s the middle of Winter, cloudy and rainy, and even if you plan to spend the day indoors.
- Winter Sun.
UV rays are harsher in Summer compared to Winter, but that does not mean they aren’t there! Applying sunscreen during Winter is especially important for those living in a country that is in close proximity to the equator, such as Australia. You may not burn as easily, but the damage is still occurring.
- Cloudy, rainy days.
Rain and clouds do not block the harmful UVA and UVB rays from penetrating your skin. Clouds filter less than 25% of the UV rays that seep into your skin, so the chance of sun damage, ageing and skin cancer are still very likely if you only apply sunscreen on sunny days.
- Spending the day indoors.
UVA rays can pass through glass windows, so it is important to wear SPF even when you plan to spend the day indoors. Simply driving from your home to the shopping center without sunscreen can damage the skin. Eating lunch in a sunny spot inside your home for 20 minutes can damage the skin. You also never know when you might spontaneously spend some time outdoors, so it’s safer to be prepared.
Sunscreen is certainly the most important skin care product to invest in, and choosing to use a good quality, eco-friendly, organic physical sunscreen is even better.
The Noosa Naturals range of Broad Spectrum SPF 50 sunscreens are suited to all faces and will make a great addition to your daily skincare routine.
