Finding the best organic facial sunscreen, especially a Zinc Sunscreen, can be tough, but using it properly doesn’t have to be. And yet, there are millions of people not getting the most out of their sunscreen because of bad habits... habits developed because they save money, save time, or just because they don’t know any better.
In any case, now’s the time to rid yourself of of these suncare sins. To make it easy, we’ve come up with the top 5 sunscreen habits you absolutely must break this year. Trust us, the rewards- healthy, protected skin- are worth it!
Habit 1: NOT WEARING IT AT ALL
Thinking about skipping the sunscreen because it’s raining or foggy outside? Think again. As long as there’s visible light outside, there are skin-damaging UV rays. Yes, it’s true that you’re most at risk of burning between 10 am and 4 pm on sunny days since that’s when UVB rays are at their strongest. Unfortunately, we also have aging UVA rays to deal with, and they can penetrate through clouds and glass. Unlike UVB rays, they’re also just as strong in winter.
So, smart skin protection means wearing sunscreen In the car, in the office, in all weather, during all seasons.
If it sounds like you should be wearing sunscreen pretty much all of the time, you’re correct.
Even if you’re not in the direct path of the sun, UV rays bounce. Now, you certainly don’t need that SPF 50 indoors, but applying some protection can save you damage over the long term because incidental sun exposure adds up over a lifetime. Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to make wearing sunscreen part of your daily routine. There are plenty of opportunities to beef up your sun protection by incorporating an SPF primer or foundation into your routine, using an SPF makeup setting spray or a hydrating facial mist with an SPF in it.
Habit 2: NOT REAPPLYING
You’ve put on your sunscreen, and now you can forget about it for the day! If only it were that simple.
The active ingredients in your sunscreen are used up, in a sense, as they absorb or reflect harmful rays. Some chemical sunscreens even have issues with photostability, meaning they may degrade from simply being exposed to light. That’s why reapplying sunscreen every two hours, or after sweating is a key part of sun protection.
Habit 3: NOT APPLYING IT PROPERLY
Do you dab a few drops of sunscreen on your face, rub it in, and dash out the door? You may be surprised to hear you’re not getting the most out of your sunscreen. It’s always best to follow the instructions on the label, but in general, apply one teaspoon (6 ml) of sunscreen to each of the following areas: face, ears, and neck, each arm and shoulder, each leg, your back, and your front.
Excessive rubbing can also impact the amount of protection you receive. If you’re wearing a Zinc Sunscreen, you might be tempted to put less on to avoid a white cast. This is a major no- no. If you’re concerned with white cast, let your sunscreen set longer or purchase the best organic facial sunscreen mist, ZINC IT OVER®.
Habit 4: APPLYING EXPIRED SUNSCREEN
Yes, sunscreen can expire. And when it does, it loses some, or even all, of its effectiveness. Check the label of your sunscreen for its expiration date. If it has expired, you’re better off tossing it and getting a fresh bottle-your skin will thank you!
Most sunscreens last approximately 3 years, but if there’s no expiration date and you can’t remember when you bought it, you can always call the manufacturer. The beauty of a Zinc Sunscreen is that it lasts longer, as the zinc itself has a very long shelf life. The other ingredients in your Zinc Sunscreen can still degrade, so the expiration date still applies.
Habit 5: NOT GETTING ENOUGH UV PROTECTION (this is where Zinc Sunscreen shines)!
There was a simpler time when all we had to worry about was slathering on some high-SPF sunscreen before hitting the beach. Well, times have changed. Advances in our understanding of how UV rays affect the skin have introduced a whole new set of concerns.
Most sunscreens now offer some kind of UVA protection, but not all UVA-protecting ingredients are equal. U.S. sunscreens typically incorporate avobenzone, a chemical sunscreen, into their formulations. Avobenzone is a tempermental sunscreen ingredient if there ever is one: it actually breaks down when exposed to light. If your avobenzone-based sunscreen isn’t stabilized — usually with octocrylene — then you might not be getting effective UVA protection.
The best sunscreen is a physical sunscreen — typically Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide — that will shield your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. But Zinc Sunscreen is the only physical sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, making it a favorite ingredient in natural sunscreens like ZINC IT OVER®. In fact, Zinc Oxide is the only commonly-used sunscreen ingredient that protects across the full spectrum of UV rays!
We hope you’ve finally been convinced to give up your bad sunscreen habits. Feel free to share with any friends, family, or followers that could benefit from this article. After all, sharing is caring!
xoxo,
Seriously FAB®
