Going outside today? Sitting anywhere near a window? Then you need to slip, slop, slap! Sunscreen is not just an essential beach bag item. UV rays are able to penetrate through the most unlikely weather conditions, so sunscreen should be worn every day – yes, you heard me, every day – in order to protect your skin from sun damage and from skin cancer.
If you are yet to be convinced to slip, slop, slap when the weather app indicates 80% chance of rain all day, then allow us to give you five very convincing reasons to add an extra step to your skincare regime every day, and shop for sunscreen in our online pharmacy.
Let’s start with the obvious one, shall we? It HELPS PREVENT SUNBURN.
We’ve all been there, right? When your back is so red-raw that even putting your shower setting down to a trickle stings as though you are being attacked by tiny knives. Why not side-step the agony altogether? Sunscreen is designed to create a barrier that protects you from the broad spectrum of harmful UV rays penetrating through your skin. When you are outside for extended periods, especially during the most sun-intensive hours of the day (when it is at its highest: 10am to 2pm), it is important to remember to reapply, in accordance with the SPF strength you are using. The higher the SPF, the less often you will need to reapply.
Avoid the burn, the aloe vera and various other sunburn aftercare products, and yes, avoid the tan. But anyway, that’s what spray tans are for.
Neutrogena’s range of suncare doubles as skincare; making it as easy as possible for you to incorporate it into your existing regime. Available in gel, lotion, stick and spray form with SPF of 30 to 50+, there can be no excuses not to make application of sunscreen a daily ritual once you’ve found one from our online pharmacy.
REDUCES SIGNS OF PREMATURE AGEING
Now you’re all paying attention. Sunscreen has long been known as one of the best ways to slow down the signs of ageing (short of cosmetic surgery). Here is how necessary sunscreen is: 90% of visible signs of ageing are caused by sun damage. So how does it protect you? Sun exposure will result in the breakdown of collagen and gradual loss of skin elasticity. So by applying sunscreen regularly, you are maintaining the texture of your skin and delaying the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that sun exposure will otherwise cause.
La Roche Posay has a broad range of sunscreens that will work well within any skincare regime. If you are concerned about white cast, or the typically potent smells of most sunscreens, La Roche Posay will dispel your cause for concern. Designed for various skin types and purposes, their products are available in spray, cream and roll on formulas with an SPF of 50+.
PREVENTS SUN DAMAGE
Sun exposure is also one of the leading causes of uneven skin tone. Known as melasma and hyperpigmentation, it appears most commonly on the face and can be hard to reverse. Sunspots are another form of hyperpigmentation that can appear anywhere on your body after high levels of exposure to the sun. Also known as Solar Keratoses, it affects between 40 to 50% of white Australians. Once sunspots have developed, they should be monitored closely. If they change in appearance or become irritating, you should contact your doctor immediately.
High sun exposure has also been known to cause eruptions of spider veins on the skin. These occur most prominently in the face, legs and feet, and as a result of the skin becoming thinner after the collagen starts to break down.
Wearing sunscreen preemptively will delay or prevent these signs of ageing and prevent you from having to rectify the results of sun damage after it has occured.
Sun Bum sunscreen carries a range of sunscreens available from SPF 15 to SPF 70. Their range is so extensive that it covers hair and skin in its UV protection. They also have a range of tanning products, so that you can achieve your sunkissed glow without having to step outside at all.
REDUCES RISK OF SKIN CANCER
Too often is better than too late, right? By applying sunscreen regularly, and wearing protective clothing and sunglasses where appropriate, you are reducing risk of skin cancers such as merkel cell cancer and melanoma, the most well known and severe.
The Skin Cancer Foundation advises everyone to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. This alone can curb risk of skin cancer by 40%.
Sunsense has a range of sun-protective products with an SPF of 50+. With any purchase of Sunsense sunscreen made between now and 28 February 2022, they will donate $1 to the Melanoma Institute Australia. This will assist in funding the research and in turn, help reach their goal of zero deaths from melanoma within Australia.
Shop SunSense within our online pharmacy and for a limited time, receive a free gift with any purchase.
A lesser known fact is that regular application of sunscreen can HELP YOUR BODY STAVE OFF OTHER THREATS. The damage that lengthy exposure to UV rays can do to our cells means that they can become less responsive to impending threats to our immune system. This puts our body at a disadvantage as it makes it harder for it to fight off disease and recover from attacks to the immune system naturally. By applying sunscreen routinely (everyday, multiple times a day where necessary) we are protecting our immune system and preserving its efficacy.
MooGoo offers sunscreen ranging from SPF 15 to 40 that is a light enough formula to be able to incorporate seamlessly into your skincare regime. The gradual tanning cream within their range also means that you can get the cosmetic effects of the sun without the risks attached to lengthy exposure to it.
If we could do it for you, we would. Whichever reason you most strongly resonate with to add this crucial step into your daily routine, we implore you to. Your skin is the largest organ you have, you may as well give it the best love you can.
