Imagine staying at home all day perhaps assuming that the absence of external activities implies then that you do not have to use sun protection. Did you know that for every sun exposure you get, the more sun damage your skin receives? Accumulation of these damages results in skin distortion and ineffectiveness of the daily skincare products you invest lots of money into. Neglecting sun protection, even for a brief period, may lead to enduring consequences, such as sunspots, wrinkles, and changes in skin texture.

In this article, we explain what sunscreen is and describe why sunscreen is important even when you do not plan not to go out for the day.

What is Sunscreen

Sunscreen, also known as sunblock or sun cream, is a photoprotective topical product for the skin that helps protect against sunburn and most importantly, mitigate the risk of skin cancer.

Types of Sunscreen 

There are two different types of sunscreen: chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens incorporate numerous ingredients that permeate the skin’s upper layer. These ingredients interact with the skin to absorb ultraviolet (UV) rays, converting them into harmless energy before they can cause damage.

Sunscreens are available in various forms:

• Lotions
• Sprays
• Gels
• Foams
• Sticks
• Powders and other topical products.

Types of SPFs

In sunscreen, SPF helps to block your skin from the sun’s radiation. The sun emits two types of radiation: UVA and UVB rays. SPF products are available in various levels, including SPF 15, SPF 30, SPF 50 and higher.

Here’s how they work:

• SPF 15 sunscreen filters out approximately 93% of UVB radiation.
• SPF 30 sunscreen blocks around 97% of UVB radiation.
• Higher SPF values provide even greater protection.

List of Bestseller Sunscreen in the Jhaycosmetics Store

1. Eucerin Oil Control/Age Defense SPF 50
2. Dermalogica Skin Recovery SPF 50 Moisturizer 0.40 oz
3. Rituals of Karma Face Protection Sunscreen – Spf 50
4. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30
5. Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity Day Care SPF 15
6. Eucerin Age Defense +Hyaluronic Acid-SPF 50
7. Facetheory Amil-C Whip M5 SPF 30
   

   Rituals of KARMA SPF 30 in Nigeria

Why you should use Sunscreen every day even when at home

As long as you are trying to improve your skin texture, it is crucial to use sunscreen everyday. Licensed Aesthetician Karlee Lauren aptly likens the avoidance of sunscreen to the accumulation of unattended cookies; it adds up over time. Imagine collecting a few cookies every hour of the day, soon it becomes excess and you barely have time to eat it or it loses its value.

When you don’t use sunscreen because you are not going out, consider incidental sun exposure when opening windows for ventilation, relaxing on a porch or veranda, running a quick errand, or welcoming visitors at the door. Now let’s calculate the total minutes spent on these few activities, oh well, hours. These seemingly minor activities can accumulate to 3-5 hours of sun exposure within a 24-hour period, even on what you perceive as a ‘stay-at-home day.’

Modern technology, such as iPhones, can conveniently inform us of our daily UV INDEX exposure, whether indoors or outdoors. If you are an iPhone user, you can access this information by:

1. Opening the weather app.
2. Ensuring the app is set to your current location.
3. Scrolling down to find the UV INDEX, which measures the ultraviolet radiation at a given time. A higher UV Index indicates a greater risk of skin damage.

Whether you find yourself indoors or outdoors, it is advisable to incorporate sunscreen into your daily skincare routine to mitigate the potential for skin damage. The sunscreen is usually the final layer of your skincare routine. Additionally, when stepping outside, remember to not only utilize sunscreens but also sunshades, or hats to protect your skin.