5 Reasons To Never Skip Sunblock In Your Daily Routine

When talking about skin and body care, we often think of soft, smooth, and radiant skin. However, achieving and maintaining healthy skin goes beyond just moisturizers and serums—one essential step is often overlooked: sunblock. Whether it's sunny or cloudy, or you’re indoors or outdoors, protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays is crucial.

Sun protection is an essential part of a daily skincare routine.

The harmful effects of UV rays from the sun can lead to various skin problems, from premature aging to more serious concerns like skin cancer. In the Philippines, where the sun is strong throughout the year, ensuring daily protection is even more critical. Applying sun protection is one of the best and easiest ways to safeguard your skin.

Understanding UV Rays and Why They Matter

Before we dive into the benefits of using sunblocks, it’s important to understand what UV rays are and how they affect your skin. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of energy emitted by the sun. It is classified into two main types: the UVA and UVB rays.

• UVA rays penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, as they can cause some indirect damage to cells’ DNA. It is the primary cause of premature aging. To add, these rays are said to be present throughout the year, even on cloudy days.

• UVB rays, on the other hand, are responsible for causing sunburn and can lead to skin cancer with prolonged exposure as they directly affect the DNA in skin cells. These rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Aside from UV rays, blue light, also known as high-energy visible (HEV) light, poses another threat to skin health. It is emitted by electronic devices like smartphones, computers, LED lighting, and even certain types of indoor lighting.

Exposure to both types of UV rays without proper protection can result in long-term damage to the skin, making it essential to use sunblock daily, regardless of the weather. Protecting your skin from UV rays can prevent issues like premature aging, sunburn, and even more serious conditions like skin cancer.

Reasons Why You Should Use Sun Protection Everyday

Before jumping into the reasons for using sunblock, it is important to understand that our skin needs sun protection whatever the weather is. In addition, even if we are indoors, our skin can still catch UV rays that pass through our glass windows, and even from blue light as well. Therefore, protecting your skin from these various sources of radiation is essential for maintaining its health and appearance.

1. Prevents Premature Aging

Did you know that up to 90% of visible signs of aging can be attributed to sun exposure? Using sunblock daily helps prevent premature aging by protecting your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, which break down collagen and elastin—two essential proteins responsible for skin’s firmness and elasticity. Prolonged sun exposure accelerates the development of wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots, but regular sunblock use shields your skin from these effects, keeping it youthful and vibrant.

2. Reduces Risk of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer worldwide, and the leading cause is unprotected sun exposure. Even when it's cloudy, as much as 80% of the sun’s damaging UV rays can break through the clouds, making daily protection vital.

Using sunblock daily reduces the risk of skin cancer by blocking harmful UV rays that can damage the DNA in skin cells. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation, particularly UVB rays, increases the likelihood of mutations that lead to skin cancer. Applying sunblock regularly creates a protective barrier that minimizes this damage and significantly lowers your risk of developing skin cancer.

3. Prevents Sunburn

We’ve all experienced the discomfort of sunburn—red, painful skin that feels tight and tender. Not only is sunburn unpleasant, but repeated burns can increase your risk of long-term skin damage. Consistent sun exposure without protection can also lead to permanent damage like pigmentation, uneven skin tone, and in severe cases, blistering.

Using sunblock daily prevents sunburn by forming a protective layer on the skin that absorbs or reflects harmful UVB rays, which are responsible for causing sunburn.

4. Protects Against Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a common issue, especially in tropical climates like the Philippines. Prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to an overproduction of melanin, causing dark spots or uneven skin tone.

Sunscreen helps block both UVA and UVB rays, which are known to exacerbate pigmentation issues, keeping your skin tone balanced and preventing the formation of new dark spots. Whether you're treating dark spots or preventing them from appearing, sun protection is key.

5. Boosts Overall Skin Health

Sunscreen does more than just prevent immediate sunburn; it also helps maintain the overall health of your skin. Regular sun exposure without protection can weaken the skin’s natural barrier over time, making it more prone to irritation, redness, and dehydration. By applying sunscreen, you’re helping to lock in moisture and support your skin’s ability to repair itself.

Choosing the Right Sunscreen for You

When selecting a sunblock, understanding SPF or Sun Protection Factor is key to ensuring your skin is properly protected. SPF measures how effectively a sunscreen can shield your skin from UV rays. In addition, when choosing the best sunblock for your skin, it’s important to look for products that offer broad-spectrum protection, meaning they protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

Additionally, pick a sunblock that suits your skin type and lifestyle. Generally, there are various types of sunblock or sunscreen. Some present in the market are sunscreen for the face and body; some are in different formulations like water-based, spray, and even those with tints. Here are only some of the sunblock and sunscreen that you should try to shield yourself from the harmful UV rays:

Incorporating sunblock or sunscreen into your daily routine is crucial to maintaining healthy and radiant skin for both face and body. Whether you’re spending a day at the beach or just stepping out for errands, sunblock should always be part of your skincare arsenal.

Understanding how UV rays damage your skin and selecting the right SPF for your specific needs will not only protect you from sunburn and premature aging but also from more serious skin conditions like cancer. So, don’t wait—make sunblock a non-negotiable part of your daily skin and body care routine today! — (MyPharma)