While wearing sunscreen is essential on bright, sunny days, the product should be a staple in your daily skin-care routine.
To most people, sunscreen isn’t a daily necessity but rather a specialty product used solely during beach outings and hikes under the blistering sun. Case in point: 47 percent of Americans never wear sunscreen, largely because they believe they don’t get enough sun exposure to need it, according to a 2019 survey of more than 1,000 people.
But blue-sky summer days are just one instance in which you should be protecting your skin. In reality, sunscreen should be included in your everyday skin-care routine — even if you’re not spending time outdoors, says Deirdre Hooper, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist on Supergooop!’s Sun Council. Sunlight produces two types of ultraviolet radiation: ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which are associated with sunburns, and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which are linked with skin aging, says Dr. Hooper. Both types of UV radiation can increase the risk of skin cancer following prolonged, unprotected exposure, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
However, “UVA rays are pretty much always present in sunlight — winter, early morning, etc. — and they come right through your windows, whether you’re at your desk or working out,” says Dr. Hooper. Essentially, if you’re being exposed to sunlight, you need sun protection, so applying sunscreen even on cold, rainy, or cloudy days is essential, she notes. “Also, driving to work, walking into the grocery store, running errands — these are short bursts of sun exposure that absolutely add up over a lifetime,” she adds. “It is so crucial to protect yourself every single day.”
Each morning after you wake up, smooth a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays (such as Supergoop!’’s Play Everyday Lotion) onto your face, ears, hands, and neck. These areas tend to have the greatest sun exposure throughout your life and, in turn, generally develop more wrinkles and skin cancers, says Dr. Hooper. Take extra care to protect these parts of your body at all times, but don’t forget to regularly apply SPF to any other areas not covered by clothing, including your scalp, chest, arms, and legs.
On relatively sweat-free days, Dr. Hooper recommends reapplying your sunscreen each time you go outside. “Keep a tube of sunscreen or a powder brush in your bag…so it’s always handy,” she suggests. “[And] don’t forget SPF lip protection!”
However, if you’ll be sweating throughout the day, choose a sunscreen that’s labeled “water-resistant,” and check how long it lasts, suggests Dr. Hooper. Once applied, set a timer so you know exactly when to put on a second coat. “No sunscreen lasts longer than 80 minutes while sweating or swimming,” she explains. Taking this step will reduce your risk of developing skin cancer and sunburns as you bike to work or run on the treadmill in a sunny Club.
Although applying a skin-care product multiple times a day can feel like a hassle — particularly if you aren’t beauty-minded to begin with — doing so can save you from serious damage down the road. “If you care about avoiding visible signs of aging, having healthy skin, or avoiding surgical removal of cancers, there is a simple solution,” says Dr. Hooper. “Wear sunscreen!”
Supergoop! Sunscreen products will be available in select Clubs starting May 9, and available for purchase at The Shop.