If you do one thing for your skin, let it be this!

Skincare has been so important to me especially since a young age. I used to try so many different types of products back when I had acne and I would use them incorrectly. After years of trial and error and doing my own research, I feel like I’ve become a skincare guru (check out my TikToks). I pride myself in knowing about every kind of serum, moisturizer, which skincare brands are good and which ones you should pass on, what to do in the winter vs. summer etc. Yes, there will be many more blog posts on skincare because it’s such a broad topic that everyone (men and women) need to be educated on. The one thing I want to talk about today is even if you don’t do anything else for your skin, do this ONE thing – apply sunscreen every single day! Sunscreen is so important and it’s one of those “your 65 year old self will thank you” kind of products – really beneficial in the long run. Let me break it down for you below!

UVA RAYS VS. UVB RAYS

Sunscreen needs to be worn every single day in sunny OR cloudy weather. I know what you’re thinking – but Shifa, sunscreen protects me from the sun and there’s no sun on cloudy days! Let me break it down even more for you. There are two types of rays: UVA rays and UVB rays.

UVB rays cause sunburn which means they damage the outer level of the skin. They can also cause skin cancer. But, they are not able to penetrate windows and are blocked by clouds.

UVA rays are more dangerous because they can penetrate through windows. They penetrate more deeply into the skin and play a role in premature aging such as causing wrinkles and sunspots! Fun fact: There are approximately 500 times more UVA rays in sunlight than UVB rays. Therefore, in addition to protecting your skin from the effects of UVB rays, it is also very important to protect from the damaging effects of UVA rays.

DO I HAVE TO WEAR SUNSCREEN EVERY SINGLE DAY?

YES! Add it to your skincare routine. Apply it right after moisturizer and make sure you’re applying at least SPF 30. By wearing the sunscreen everyday, you’re protecting yourself from aging quickly and keeping your skin looking youthful! And, it also helps to prevent sunspots and discoloration on your face keeping your skin tone even. Even if you’re not prone to sunburns, it’s still important to apply sunscreen everyday because sun damage occurs over time. 

BUT IT’S SO STICKY!

If you buy the proper sunscreen, it’s not sticky! There are two types of sunscreen: chemical and mineral. Mineral is the overall winner because it’s the strongest (for both rays) but I prefer chemical because the consistency is much better for my skin. Check out my recommendations for my favorite mineral and chemical sunscreen below:

CHEMICAL SUNSCREEN: BIORE UV AQUA RICH – feels like water on your skin!

MINERAL SUNSCREEN: BARE REPUBLIC FACE SUNSCREEN – this sunscreen blends into my skin seamlessly and leaves no white cast!

(Stay tuned for a full blog post on Chemical vs. Mineral sunscreen)

 

Pin Me!

---

Sunscreen is quite literally the most important step in any AM skincare routine. Don’t skip it and don’t slack on it. If you apply it religiously and take care of your skin, your older self will thank you!