The Daily Skin

If you want to love the bejesus out of your skin, follow The Daily Skin's Sunscreen Routine, and you'll be good to go. After you rinse with a gentle cleanser and apply moisturizer to the face and body, it's time to slather it on:

SPF 50 and above + broad spectrum = the golden standard. SPF 50 and above protects against 98-100% of UVB radiation from the sun. I recommend SPF 50 and above because it's guaranteed coverage, and anything below reaches toward the 80th percentile of coverage. A side note: Since SPF only pertains to UVB radiation, it's important to find a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA radiation as well.

Only slather SPF to the areas of the body that are exposed. There is no need to apply sunscreen to areas of your body that are covered! If the area is covered by opaque clothing, skip it.

You need to lather a decent amount to remain effective throughout the day, and apply it in layers if you can. Reapply every 90 minutes if you're outdoors and after taking a dip in the water. Reapply every 2 hours if you're mostly inside, or running errands. Now, every 2 hours sounds a bit excessive–sure. We do this because our skin is constantly excreting sweat and oils, and this can disrupt the protective layer we've created with SPF. For each instance you'd be applying SPF, I recommend slathering on two layers per application.

For cosmetic and health reasons, try to stay consistent with this routine daily, no matter what season. We spoke about UVA radiation, being present through all seasons in this article. This particular form of UV radiation is the cause of aging and wrinkling, but it also has been linked to skin cancers. Although UVB damage has a higher correlation to skin cancer in, UVA radiation can cause the same amount of damage after prolonged periods of time. This is why I advocate for SPF even in the winter. If your desk is next to a window, UVA rays can penetrate the window and reach your skin. So, slather up! Need sunscreen recommendations? Here’s a brand that won’t break the bank, here’s another that’s a little fancier, and here’s one that’s amazing for face coverage.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of skin cancer, contact your local healthcare professional for an exam and rule it out.

References

Alright, you've heard the above from every influencer, guru or doctor that's trying to sell you something. It's usually followed by a recommendation of an obnoxiously expensive serum or an inexpensive facial cleanser that's breaking the internet. That doesn't fly with me. Here on The Daily Skin, I'm giving it to you straight.

If you were stranded on an island or stuck atop Mt. Vesuvius, the one product you would need—sunscreen! Anticlimactic answer? Sure. Sunscreen has the rep it does for a reason, and I'm here to tell you why.

Two basic points:

1. UV radiation from the sun is the primary source of skin-related cancers and premature aging.

2. Sunscreen is the most effective way to prevent skin-related cancers, premature aging and uneven skin tone.

I know you intuitively know this already, because you're smart. Let's enrich this basic understanding and get into the science surrounding protecting our skin.

Ultraviolet radiation is a form of light that we cannot feel or see. There are three types—UVA, UVB and UVC. Unlike other forms of light, UVB radiation has the ability to penetrate the skin and mutate DNA sequences. Although cells have the ability to repair mutations constantly, it's been proven that continuous, unprotected exposure to UV radiation causes permanent damage that leads to skin cancer. Learn more about how UV radiation works here.

You guys, that should freak you out enough. Our DNA has the ability to change the trajectory of life expectancy—yikes! DNA damage has the ability to cause melanoma, squamous cell cancer and basal cell cancers. Although some are more genetically susceptible to developing skin cancers, the environmental factor of unprotected exposure to UV radiation is the largest contributor across the board.

On a more superficial note, uneven appearances of the skin can be prevented by daily sunscreen use. Sunspots, loss of fullness, fine lines and wrinkles are known to be a package deal that comes with aging. For example, unprotected exposure to UV radiation breaks down the collagen in our cells. This results in the skin appearing less full. Are you using any products to help with sunspots, fullness or wrinkles? Here's the reality—many of these skincare products won't work unless you've paired them with SPF. Click here to learn more. The only time you'll hear me speaking in absolutes is with sunscreen. Sunscreen is the most accessible, first line of defense for your overall skin health. Protecting your skin is an aspect of your daily routine that should be as important as brushing your teeth.

So here's what you need to do. Get a cheap broad spectrum sunscreen for your body and face and apply it daily. I recommend SPF 50 or above.

Don't believe you should be slathering it on after this article? Submit your questions, and opinions here.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of skin cancer, contact your local healthcare professional for an exam and rule it out.

To learn The Daily Skin's sunscreen routine, click here.

To learn more about the science behind the three types of UV radiation and UV index, click here for more.

Want to learn about how sunscreen works? Here's a great explanation I found.

References

Skin Cancer and Sunlight. (2016, June 22). Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/skin_cancer.html

DocUnlock. (2018, October 12). How UV Rays Damage Skin [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjewT1jDNw8

Victorian Dermal Group. (2020, December 1). Why sunscreen is the most important part of your skin care routine. https://www.victoriandermalgroup.com.au/information-centre/why-sunscreen-is-the-most-important-part-of-your-skin-care-routine

Ianelli, V. I. (2022, March 3). Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and Sunscreen. Very Well Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/spf-sun-protection-factor-and-sunscreen-2634104

When we soak in the sun's rays, we're actually taking in three different forms of radiation—infrared radiation, visible light, and UV radiation. As the sun hits our skin, infrared radiation causes the sense of warmth we can feel, and visible light allows us to see. However, UV light is the form of radiation that we can't feel or see.

In this brief blurb, I'm uncovering the silent but harmful effects of UV radiation on our skin health, and what we can do about it.

There are three types—UVA, UVB and UVC. Unlike other forms of light, UV radiation has the ability to penetrate different layers of the skin and mutate our DNA. Continuous, unprotected exposure to UV radiation causes permanent damage that leads to skin cancer.

Each type of UV radiation has different characteristics and causes different forms of skin damage: UVA (long-wave UV radiation) UVA is known as "the aging form UV rays." UVA radiation has the ability to always reach earth's surface, and penetrate into the deepest layers of your skin. Throughout all seasons and times of day, levels of UVA radiation remain constant in intensity.

As a result, UVA radiation can cause the release of chemicals that create indirect damage to your DNA. When unprotected over the long term, it is found to cause splotchy pigmentation, darkening of the skin and wrinkling. UVA damages the elasticity of the dermis, which causes wrinkling and a sunken appearance in the skin.

Bottom line: Protect yourself from UVA.

UVB (sunburn UV radiation) Unlike UVA, UVB radiation is more prevalent from spring to fall, and is at higher intensities around 10 am to 4 pm. Just because UVB radiation is more intense at certain times than others, doesn't mean it's less harmful for our skin health.

UVB rays have the greatest effect on the top layers of our skin, causing sunburn, redness, and aging. UVB rays have the ability to directly damage your DNA, and is the key player causing skin cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Bottom line? Protect yourself from UVB.

UVC (short-wave UV radiation)

UVC radiation is the most intense, and potentially damaging to our skin. Luckily, we don't have to worry because UVC radiation is absorbed entirely by our ozone layer, and can't reaches the earth's surface. It's proven to cause damage to our skin, but is less detrimental to our health in comparison UVA and UVB. Bottom line: Worry less about UVC, more about UVA and UVB.

Through all of this UV jibber jabber, I hope you've come to understand the hidden impacts UV radiation can have on our skin health. What can we do about it? It's simple, folks. Protect yourself against UV radiation by wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen on your body and face.

Need sunscreen recommendations? Here's a brand that won't break the bank, here's another that's a little fancier, and here's one that's amazing for face coverage.

Don’t believe you should be slathering it on after this article? Submit your questions, and opinions here.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of skin cancer, contact your local healthcare professional for an exam and rule it out.

Want to learn about how sunscreen works? Here’s a great explanation I found.

To learn The Daily Skin’s sunscreen routine, click here. 

To learn why you should wear sunscreen during all seasons.. even when it isn’t warm, click here.

To learn about the three most common skin cancers, risk factors and preventative measures, click here for more information.

References

Skin Cancer and Sunlight. (2016, June 22). Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/skin_cancer.html

Will. (2013, November 6). UVA, UVB AND UVC RAYS: WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW SUNSCREEN PROTECTS YOU. Block Island Organics. https://www.blockislandorganics.com/Blog/post/2013/11/06/UVA-UVB-and-UVC-Rays-What-They-Are-and-How-Sunscreen-Protects-You.aspx