Sun Protection Tips for Your Skin
Written by: Paula's Choice Research Team
You might not see the effects of sun exposure on your skin immediately, but over time, it can cause premature aging. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun damage the collagen in your skin, which leads to wrinkles and sagging skin on your face and body. In addition, excessive sun exposure can also cause sunburn, facial pigmentation, and other forms of skin damage. Check out our infographic to learn more about what the sun is doing to your face and skin.
Additional Tips
To help prevent sun damage to your skin, follow these sun protection tips:
1. Be Diligent About Sunscreen
Daily sunscreen application with a broad-spectrum moisturizer rated SPF 30 or greater should also be on that list. It’s the crucial first step in your mission to achieve a visibly younger and even skin tone that regains and maintains a youthful complexion that will stay with you for years to come.
2. Know How Much Sunscreen to Apply
Check out this article for reliable, research-based advice.
3. Know When to Apply Sunscreen
SPF ratings are a measurement of the amount of time your skin can be exposed to UV light before it changes colour, which is a visible signal of damage. If your skin changes its colour after 15 minutes of unprotected exposure, a sunscreen rated SPF 30 would protect you for 15 x 30, which is 450 minutes, or 7.5 hours. This does not include the time indoors when your skin isn’t exposed to UV light.
From the example above, applying SPF 30 liberally each morning will keep you protected for a normal workday (indoors) and the drive home.
If you are outdoors all day and in direct sunlight (especially if you’re not wearing protective clothing, a hat, or sunglasses, and not seeking shade), you will have to reapply as indicated on the sunscreen’s label. We can’t do anything about this, sunscreens will still have limitations when skin is continuously exposed to sunlight.
4. Layer Your Protection
Your moisturizer with sunscreen can be worn under your foundation with sunscreen and your pressed powder with SPF or even a primer with sunscreen! Together, these will provide you with extra insurance against the unwanted effects of exposure to UV light.
Shop for Paula’s Choice sunscreen products here.
