Summer’s finally here! And with it, a red-hot, blazing sun. While sunlight can feel like the best thing in the world, it’s not so great for your skin. And with all the additional time you spend outside during the warmer months, it’s crucial that you’re wearing sunscreen – and wearing it properly.
Many of us make big sunscreen mistakes, and we end up getting burned. While a minor sunburn might not seem like the end of the world today, it could lead to signs of sun damage on your skin down the road (not to mention malignant cell growth). For the sake of your skin, and your health, grab the SPF! Here’s how to do it the right way.
Common Sunscreen Mistakes
- Wearing it only on sunny days only – Even when the skies are cloudy, a significant amount of UV rays make it through. After all, clouds are just water vapor – they’re not offering true UV protection. Cover up whenever you’re spending time outdoors.
- Overthinking SPF – SPF stands for “sun protection factor,” and refers to the length of time that the sunscreen will remain effective. Higher SPF doesn’t mean greater UV protection, and effectiveness is also variable from product to product. Learn more about choosing the right sunscreen before making a product purchase.
- Using old sunscreen – Expired sunscreen is always hanging around – you don’t use up most bottles by the end of the summer, and then you dig them back out without a second thought once hot weather rolls back around. Problem is, that sunscreen isn’t effective (because its ingredients deteriorate over time), and could actually be dangerous.
- Skipping it due to “toxic” concerns – The FDA regularly scrutinizes sunscreen ingredients because sunscreen is an over-the-counter product, and ensures that the block is safe for consumers. You stand much more to lose by not covering up and risking skin cancer.
Check out this awesome sunscreen Q&A with a dermatologist for more!