As summer comes to a screeching halt and monsoon takes over, many people are tempted to keep sunscreen away from their daily grooming kits. If you think you only need protection in summer then you might be the victim of common sunscreen mistakes.
Sunscreen protection is vital for your skin. Many of us already know about its advantages, so we slather it on our faces every morning. It prevents all kinds of damage, such as premature wrinkling, sun spots, and skin cancer. Although some common knowledge about sunscreen is very much prevalent in the general psyche, there still seems to be a lot of confusion over it as well. Here are some common mistakes people make as far as sunscreen usage is concerned:
Mistake #1: I Require Sunscreen Only in Summer or When I Go Out to the Beach.
Fact: Wrong! Whether you are at the beach or not, it is important to wear a sunscreen. In order to keep your skin free from signs of aging, you have to wear sunscreen every day of the year. Sunscreen needs to be used on both sunny and cloudy days. The harmful UV rays can affect your skin even when it is cloudy.
Mistake #2: I Should Wait Till I Reach Outdoors to Apply Sunscreen.
Fact: You should apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you step outdoors, because it takes that long for your skin to absorb the protective ingredients. Therefore, applying sunscreen after you reach the beach does not work effectively.
Mistake #3: I Need to Apply Only Small Amounts of Sunscreen.
Fact: Don't be stingy with sunscreen, a little dab won't do. Coat your body fully with one ounce of sunscreen. Keep only one teaspoon of that ounce for your face, ears, and neck. Only then, you will get the adequate SPF as advertised.
Mistake #4: I Don't Need to Apply Sunscreen Lotion on My Lips.
Fact: A recent study found that 63% of people do not apply sunscreen on the lips. It is advisable that you use SPF 30 lip balm or lip sunscreen on your lips to protect it from the sun. Wearing lipstick without sunscreen is a big NO-NO.
Mistake #5: In a Day, Just One Application of Sunscreen is Enough.
Fact: When you are at the beach playing in water, frequent application of sunscreen is required. Sunscreen is not a magic potion that will keep protecting your skin the whole day. You need to re-apply it every two hours if you are going for a swim. Also, if you sweat profusely, sweat tends to wipe out the lotion and hence it is important to reapply it.
Mistake #6: The Right Way of Sunscreen Application is Rubbing Vigorously onto the Skin.
Fact: Rubbing the cream vigorously on your skin reduces its effectiveness by 25%. You have to gently apply it on your skin. If you find this difficult, there are many spray-on sunscreens available, which you can just spray on your body.
Mistake #7: Wearing Other Physical Blocks is Not Required If You Have Applied Sunscreen.
Fact: Don't think that applying sunscreen on your face will guarantee the best protection. Make sure you wear sun glasses, a hat, and a scarf to provide the best protection from the harsh rays of the sun.
Mistake #8: Even a Sunscreen Having a Low SPF is Sufficient to Protect Me from the Sun.
Fact: The traditional sun-block products only have an SPF of 4. If you think that your moisturizer has enough SPF to protect you from the sun, think again. Make-up products don't have adequate sunscreen and certainly not enough if you're going to be outside for extended periods of time. Always use dedicated sunscreen products with an SPF of 15 or higher.
An effective sunscreen lotion can work wonders in protecting you from the harmful UV rays and unwanted skin damage. Stay away from these common mistakes regarding sunscreen lotion usage, and you will be able to derive the maximum benefit out of your sunscreen lotions and enjoy your outdoor activities to the fullest.
