The Sunshine is Pretty But It'll Get You

Spf....our moms were constantly covering us in the stuff and as adults we are told not to forget the sunscreen. Why is this so dang important? First off.. skin cancer!  Dramatic, I know. But seriously, sun damage can cause skin cancer.

 

So cancer is bad, but sun damage also is the cause of a lot of aging. You can't completely stop the aging process but you can try real hard to slow it down.

Broad Spectrum SPF

There are two main types of sun rays UVA and UVB. 

UVA is the kind that will prematurely age your skin. "A" for aging... get it? UVB is the type that will burn your skin. "B" for burning...you know it. So broad spectrum SPF protects you from both types of rays. Yay! 

 

Physical SPF

Physical sunscreens contain either Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide. These block the sun's damaging rays protecting your skin. These are the most effective and full proof sunscreens. But they are also the ones that typically leave a white, chalky cast on the skin. I have this one that I use on my chest area everyday (I'm fighting aging in that area with all I've got). There are some really exciting physical SPF products that have a slight tint. I haven't tried these products yet, but I intend to.

 

Chemical SPF 

This sounds scarier then it is. While physical SPF products reflect the suns rays away, a chemical SPF absorbs it. The sunscreen absorbs the suns rays in place of your own skin absorbing it. These products do not leave a white cast and are therefore preferred. And for those with more of a sensitive skin type these can be slightly irritating. Not all of them, but some. My advise would be to do your research and ask your facialist or dermatologist.

Be Smart And Wear Your Darn Sunscreen

So wear a broad spectrum sunscreen. Just do it. And if your skin can handle it, layer physical and chemical SPF. If you are driving somewhere that is more then 10 minutes away...put on some sunscreen. Those windows are not gonna protect your skin. I personally always sunscreen my chest, face and arms. Like everyday I do those areas . I usually wear long pants to work  but if my legs are out I sunscreen those too. 

If you are wanting to get tan the safest way is really to use self tanning products. I just started using them this last year and I'm more confident and I know my skin is protected.