In terms of health and beauty, one of my biggest regrets is going years without wearing sunscreen.  In high school, my dermatologist urged me to wear sunscreen but for the most part I neglected this entirely.   I have olive skin and can get super tan which I thought made me invincible.  I wore my tan like a badge of pride.  Living in Southern California and Miami for college I enjoyed year-round bikini weather, where I spent the better part of my youth basking in direct sunlight for days on end.  Friends envied my complexion and swooned over my bronzed skin.  Sunscreen?  That stuff was for those poor pale people in Minnesota who never saw the light of day.

Flash forward to an end of fall in my mid-twenties where the majority of my days were now spent behind a desk in an office and my summer glow was all but gone.   I examined my face in the mirror one morning and realized I had a lot more “freckles” than I used to.   I took a closer look and realized what I was looking at wasn’t freckles.  It was hyper-pigmentation.  EW.  I began hearing echos of my dermatologist’s voice. 

I obviously knew you were supposed to wear sunscreen to protect against sunburns and to prevent skin cancer.  But since I didn’t burn I didn’t experience the short-term affects, and the long-term ramifications seemed too distant.

I started to do some research and realized there was so much I didn’t know about the effects of the sun.  I didn’t realize there were so many other reasons I needed protection. 

Here are 6 facts I learned about sun exposure:

1. The sun produces two different types of UV rays that affect the skin

They are UVB & UVA rays. UVB rays are what cause sunburns.  UVA rays are what cause long-term skin damage, skin cancer and aging.  The damage from these UVA rays is cumulative and often irreversible. 

2. UV rays are always present

It doesn’t matter if it’s cloudy, cold, or a blizzard in the middle of winter, UV rays are always present.  UVB ray intensity can vary from summer to winter, however UVA intensity remains the same throughout the year and varying weather conditions.  

3. UV Rays are stronger at higher elevations

Ski trip to the mountains during winter?  Being closer to the sun you, you are exposed to stronger UV rays and need protection.  This one blew my mind:  Sitting next to window seat on flight with the shade up? An hour of exposure to UVA rays on a plane is the equivalent to a 20-minute tanning bed session!

4. UV rays can reflect off surfaces

UV Rays can reflect off surfaces like water, snow, and pavement adding to the levels you experience.  Fresh snow is an extremely high reflector and can almost double your UV exposure!

5. UVA Rays can penetrate glass

Glass filters out UVB rays, but it doesn’t block out UVA rays.  If you are in a car, the windshield glass is treated to block UVA rays, but often the side windows are not!  Also, if you sit in an office next to a window that isn’t treated, you are exposed.   

6. High SPF alone won’t protect your skin

SPF (Sun protective faction) protects against UVB rays, but not against UVA rays.  Look for sunscreens that are labeled “broad spectrum” which means they protect against both kinds of rays AND contain high SPF (30+).

Protecting your skin

The best way to protect your skin from UV rays is to wear sunscreen every single day.   I use Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50.    It’s a broad-spectrum sunscreen so I know I am protected against both UVA/UVB rays.  Also, it’s the highest level of SPF that protects against UVB rays. It is water resistant for up to 80 minutes which is great for days spent in the pool or at the beach. 

What I really love about this particular sunscreen is that it acts both as a moisturizer AND sun protectant.  It is formulated with Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid which hydrate the skin.  Once applied it keeps the skin moisturized for up to 8 hours.  Also, it’s not greasy or sticky like other sunscreens and it spreads and absorbs into the skin SO easily with a clean finish.   It also doesn’t have that typical sunscreen fragrance which makes it great for daily use.  I apply it every single morning after I get out of the shower.

I HIGHLY recommend this sunscreen which is the reason I became a Neutrogena partner.   Right now you can get $2 off this sunscreen and any other Neutrogena Suncare product at Walmart (while supplies last) using this link.

If you hadn’t worn sunscreen every day prior to reading this, I hope this motivates you to!  I hope everyone had a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend.  What did you do?   Let me know in the comments below!

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