Emma Horton 
Nearly everyone likes going out on a sunny day. However, many tend to not wear any sunscreen. According to Advermatology, 39% of men and 28% of women fail to wear sunscreen. As a matter of fact, 1 in 3 Americans rarely wear it. This is an issue because sunscreen is very important for you and your skin’s health. Read on to find out why it’s so important and why you should always try to include sunscreen in your daily life.
What Is Sunscreen Made Of?
Before we discuss why you should wear sunscreen, you should know what sunscreen contains. Some active ingredients in sunscreen include avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone. However, the main ingredient in sunscreen is titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is often a main ingredient because it works well as a UV and sunlight filtering ingredient. The percentage of certain ingredients used in most sunscreens are active ingredients at 20%. Formulation stabilizers (which are solvents, preservatives, thickening, agents, and emulsifiers) at 55%. Sensory enhancers (which are compounds that improve the feel or scent of the formula) at 23%. Added extras (which are compounds that don’t interfere with how the sunscreen works) at 2%.
Why Is It Important To Wear Sunscreen?
There are many beneficial reasons you should wear sunscreen. StyleCraze states that, “people should apply sunscreen every day of the year, not just when they go to the beach.” They further state “you should wear sunscreen because it helps shield your skin from harmful UV rays.” But what about the dose of Vitamin D we need daily? While that is important, it’s even more important to not put your health at risk. Sunscreen also helps lower your risk of developing skin cancer. While most people decided to start using sunscreen mainly for beauty reasons, this health benefit is definitely a huge advantage. If you wear sunscreen daily, over time it will help shield your skin from the high risks of various types of skin cancer. Lastly, sunscreen prevents you from getting sunburnt. Sunburns can thin the skin, which makes it more transparent, allowing bruises to become more noticeable. Your skin may encounter peeling, itching, redness, hives, and even swelling. A study done in August 2008 suggests that recurring sunburns could increase the risk for lethal melanoma. Melanoma is one of the most invasive skin cancers and can be fatal. By wearing sunscreen, you can lower your risk of developing melanoma.
How Do I Choose The Best Sunscreen For My Skin?
According to dermatologists, there are a few things you should consider before purchasing a sunscreen. NBC says that “you should first consider the Sun Protection Factor (SPF).” SPF is measured by how much UVB light a sunscreen can filter out. Dermatologists recommend using an SPF of at least 30. The second thing to consider is your skin type. Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research, dermatology department, Mount Sinai Hospital, stated “If you have acne or oily skin, make sure that your sunscreen is labeled as ‘non-comedogenic’, which means that it has been shown not to block pores.” However, for sensitive skin, opt for a physical, or mineral, sunscreen. As for the bottle your sunscreen is held in, that’s all about your personal preference. “Sunscreens come in creams, lotions, gels, sprays, sticks and many other unique formulas,” says Zeichner. Of course, sunscreen is only effective if used correctly. Zeichener also says that you should apply only an ounce of sunscreen to the exposed skin.
Hopefully now you can see how and why sunscreen is crucial for a healthy life. It doesn’t matter what type you use, just as long as you do use it. By using sunscreen, you can help lower the percentage of men and women who don’t use sun protection. So, if you enjoy going to the beach on a sunny day, make sure to bring a bottle of sunscreen with you. We hope that you start to wear sun protection whenever you can, because it’s better late than never.
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