Are you aware that your skin is your largest organ? It has essential functions such as protecting you from germs and helping to regulate your body's temperature. For this reason, it is crucial to protect your skin from one of the most harmful external elements: the sun.
Wearing sunscreen year-round is a crucial part of maintaining your skin health. UV exposure prompts a chain reaction of processes in the skin. Exposure to Ultraviolet radiation (UV) results in free radical formation which causes oxidative stress in the skin cells, inflammation, DNA damage, and even DNA mutations. UVA massively contributes to skin cancer, dark spots, and premature aging. How? UVA damages deeper skin layers, damaging collagen and elastin in your skin and resulting in an acceleration of fine lines and wrinkles. And because collagen is the major structural component of skin, any alteration in its production or degradation could have severe and profound effects on cutaneous functional integrity. Photoaging is the term given to UV induced aging of the skin. It is typically characterized by dyspigmentation, thickening of the skin, loss of elasticity, lines and wrinkles.
And while the UVB rays that cause sunburn decrease in the winter, exposure to UVA can still occur in the colder winter months. The Earth is closest to the sun in the middle of the winter, and UVA rays can easily penetrate through glass and clouds. In fact, it is estimated that up to 80 percent of the sun's rays can still penetrate clouds in winter times. This can be incredibly drying and taxing on your skin.
While skin aging is a natural process, many damages can be prevented by using sunscreen. Sunscreen is an ally in keeping your skin healthy and vibrant for as long as possible. It is a crucial addition to your skin care routine. Using broad-spectrum protection has real anti-aging properties.
Sunscreen brands that can help you protect your skin:
- One of the best sunscreens you can find on the market is Anthelios by LaRoche Posay, which has a lightweight, fast-absorbing texture and provides a non-whitening, matte finish and is suitable for all skin types. With its antioxidant technology, you can be certain your skill will be protected. It is the number one sunscreen brand recommended by over 60,000 dermatologists
- Eucerin is another brand that can offer comprehensive protection against
sun-induced skin damage. The innovative Advanced Spectral Technology combines broadband and photostable UVA and UVB filters1 for reliable UV protection with antioxidant Licochalcone.
- If you have sensitive skin, Avene Sunscreen offers broad spectrum protection with effective combinations of chemical and mineral filters that protect the skin from the damaging effects of UVA/UVB Avene is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.
- Vichy Capital Soleil is a daily anti-aging face sunscreen lotion with broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 50 protection in an ultra-light formula that is oxybenzone-free, water resistant for up to 80 minutes and easily absorbed on skin. It is suitable for all skin types with a dermatologist- and allergy-tested formula.
- The brand Bioderma selects active ingredients with the purest molecules already present naturally in the skin for a better tolerance. Bioderma offers a full range of suncare products for all types of skin and sensitivity to the sun. Prevention of skin reactions including allergies to the sun or chemical filters, sun protection for sensitive skin, sunscreen for children or babies, specific sun protection for oily to acne-prone skin, dry skin or hyperpigmented skin...
