Did You Know This About Your Sunscreen?
by
Musely Editors
Did You Know This About Your Sunscreen?EVERYONE should use sunscreen daily, but especially if you are using Face-Rx treatments! Tretinoin and hydroquinone, the main ingredients in our two treatments, can cause skin sensitivity to the sun, meaning the sun rays can cause more damage than they typically do. In addition, the work these treatments are doing to regenerate skin cells and fade dark spots can easily be undone by the sun.
What’s the big deal anyway?
The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays that harm the skin. Epidermis cells, which make up the outer layer of your skin, contain a pigment called melanin. People with fair skin have less melanin than people with darker complexion. But melanin protects the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which is why very fair-skinned people tend to burn easier. Too much sun exposure allows UV rays to reach your inner skin layers - also known as a sunburn, causing damage and even death 😱 to skin cells. The more sun damage to your skin, the more wrinkles and dark spots—the very thing we are trying to avoid!
When should SPF be applied?
There are many day creams that contain sunscreen. However, dermatologists recommend using a separate sunscreen in order to achieve the level of sun protection necessary to prevent sun damage. The reasoning comes from the sunscreen's ability to fully live up to its SPF number. Mixing SPF with other ingredients dilutes the formula and therefore, dilutes the protection!
So, apply a sunscreen on top of your daily moisturizer every day—yes, even on those cloudy days—and your skin will thank you! Additionally, Musely’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marie Jhin, recommends reapplying every 2-3 hours when spending time outdoors.
Our favorite moisturizers containing SPF:
Cerave Moisturizing Cream
Aveeno Moisturizer
EltaMD UV Daily
Our favorite sunscreens (to be applied on top of a moisturizer!):Supergoop Smooth and Poreless Matte Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40
Missha Mild Essence Sun Milk SPF 50
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen
Coola Classic Facial Sunscreen