When you mention sunscreen, the first thing that people think about is summer holidays and sunbathing. Not many would associate sunscreen with a rainy November day in England, right? Did you know that sunscreen should be applied every day, no matter the weather, and is in fact the most important part of your skincare routine?
I didn’t realise this until a couple of years ago… and now I apply it every day.
It doesn’t matter if you’re directly in the sunlight, lying on a sun lounger and enjoying a cold drink mid-July, or if you’re going for a walk in the country on a cool overcast day in March. If it’s light outside, your skin is being exposed to UV rays from the sun – it doesn’t matter if you’re inside or if it’s cloudy either… the rays penetrate clouds and windows too.
UV rays are split into UVA and UVB. You’ve probably heard that both of these could possibly be linked to skin cancer, which is why sunscreen is always important. But UVA rays are longer in wavelength and actually penetrate deeper into the skin, breaking down collagen and elastin and contributing to premature ageing.