You look outside and see that it’s cloudy and decide to yourself that sunscreen won’t be necessary today. We’ve all been here at some point. What if I told you that you should never do this and that you’re actually damaging your skin because of this? In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about sunscreen and some reasons why applying sunscreen is very important, even on cloudy days.

Why do you need sunscreen even when it’s cloudy out?

Simple answer is this: the sun’s harmful UV rays are still able to hit the earth and reach your skin even when it’s cloudy or rainy. 

UV rays can cause a lot of damage to your skin. So please wear sunscreen to prevent this damage.

What are the benefits of wearing sunscreen?

The benefits of sunscreen are

• Protection against the sun’s harmful uv rays
• Lowers your chance of getting skin cancer 
• Prevention of premature aging such as wrinkles and sagging

Which sunscreen should I buy?

There are two types of sunscreen. Mineral sunscreen and chemical sunscreen.

Mineral sunscreen – also known as physical sunscreen and they work by sitting on top of your skin and forming a physical barrier. This works by reflecting and scattering UV radiation away from the skin.

Chemical sunscreen – works by absorbing UV radiation and converting it into heat, which is then released from the skin.

If you have sensitive skin, stick to using a mineral sunscreen as they contain less irritants. 

Chemical sunscreen, however,  is thinner than mineral sunscreen and spreads more easily.  It also doesn’t leave behind a white cast which is often a concern for people of color. 

Choose a sunscreen that you feel will be best suited towards your skin and see how it feels. The better the sunscreen feels, the more likely you will wear it often.

What spf should my sunscreen be?

It is usually recommended to wear a sunscreen that has an spf of 30 or over for adequate protection. If you’re going to the beach, hiking, running or plan on being under the sun for a prolonged amount of time, choose a sunscreen with spf 60 or above. 

Do I really need to reapply sunscreen?

Yes, you do. It is recommended to apply sunscreen every two hours on exposed areas if you’re outdoors. The only exception is if you’re going to be indoors and you don’t plan to be near a window. If you are, however, near a window, then the same rules apply to you for reapplying sunscreen. 

And remember, sunscreen must be reapplied after swimming or sweating.

Do I need to apply sunscreen at night?

For applying sunscreen, keep this rule in mind. If there is any sort of daylight outside, you need sunscreen. Once the sun sets completely, then you don’t need sunscreen anymore.