6 Reasons to Wear Sunscreen After Summer

Summer is officially over, but that doesn’t mean you can put the sunscreen away! Just when you thought it was time to toss your crusty SPF bottle out the window, here we come to stop you from making a big mistake!

Using sunscreen can literally save your skin from premature signs of aging like melasma (dark spots) and fine lines, and more serious conditions like skin cancer. If you think your chances for UV-related issues ends on the last day of summer, you’re wrong. While the sun is notably more powerful in the spring and summer, UVA and UVB rays will still be strong (sometimes stronger) in fall and winter.

So you want to prevent premature signs of aging and skin cancer? If any of the 6 points below apply to you, using sunscreen DAILY, during all seasons, will be a crucial part in protecting your skin health!

There’s no denying that these two anti-aging ingredients can work wonders on your skin -- but can be damaging when used incorrectly. Both vitamin C and retinol work to improve skin texture, tone, and vibrancy. While vitamin C is more for brightening, antioxidant protection, and collagen boosting, retinol is designed to gently resurface the skin to reveal fresh, new layers. It’s an incredible treatment for lessening wrinkles, dark spots, and acne.

While some use vitamin C both in the morning and at night, retinol is definitely a PM-only ingredient. We recommend wearing sunscreen over your vitamin C serum during the day, but you should NEVER wear retinol products during the day -- not even with sunscreen. Retinol leaves your skin extremely delicate and vulnerable, since it speeds cell turnover and exfoliates the skin. Both vitamin C and retinol treatments should be followed with sunscreen: wear sunscreen over your vitamin C product during the day, and for retinol used at night, wash your face in the morning before applying sunscreen.

PRO TIP: Looking for a lightweight moisturizer that doubles as a sunscreen? NewBeauty featured our Tomato Lycopene SPF 20 Moisturizer in their fall "Beauty Report" print issue. Our moisturizer is one of the first recommended within the issue's "Sun Saviors' section: "Hydrating 100% PURE Tomato Lycopene merges mega benefits with an effective moisturizer". Well, there you have it!

Of course, this reason applies to all of you jet-setting to tropical locales while the rest of us brave the rain and cold of fall and winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The sun still shines at near full power in winter in the Southern Hemisphere, so you’ll obviously need your sunscreen handy for winter beach-lounging or boat cruising.

What about those fall camping excursions and winter ski trips? If you’re headed someplace where you’ll spend a lot of time outdoors, don’t think you’re in the clear just because it’s gloomy or freezing cold outside.

Recreational skiers often come back from their alpine adventures burnt to a crisp, dealing with severe burns on their face, neck, and chin -- can you guess why? Although you might be bundled up from head to toe, leaving your face and neck exposed allows sun to bounce directly off the bright white snow, and onto your skin. Sun reflecting off surfaces below, above, and around you will still have the same, if not more powerful ability to burn you. Snow, water, and white sandy beaches can all increase UV exposure with their highly reflective surfaces.

WThinking about using a tanning bed to prep for your winter tropical vacation? First, let us share with you that we do NOT recommend tanning beds in any way, shape, or form. They emit a much more damaging, artificial UV light than the sun, that even in short bursts, can cause serious long-term health issues over time. According to the FDA , use of a tanning before the age of 35 can increase your chances of skin cancer by 75%. Does that statistic make you think twice about that ‘base tan’ (a myth, by the way) you’re working on?

If your tanning bed habit can’t be broken, at least slather on some reef-safe sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher, when you’re outside in the real world. Sunbeds are so damaging that when you step out in your bikini, your skin is already in critical condition. And trust us… you may want to reconsider how important your tanning bed obsession is, when compared to your health.

Never have we looked at a new dark spot or wrinkle on our face and exclaimed, “Wonderful!” According to the American Academy of Dermatology, melasma is a blanket term for the grey- brown spots and patches that appear on skin from sun exposure, hormones, and even improper use of skin care (see point #1 above). Daily sun exposure is the most common (and potent) cause of melasma, which you can control by using a sunscreen every day.

Sun damage, sometimes referred to as “photoaging”, is also a major cause of wrinkles. If you spend a lot of time outdoors (sans sunscreen), you may notice that your skin ages at a more rapid rate. As free radicals and UV exposure from the sun degrade your skin’s texture and tone, deeper wrinkles will begin to form. Wrinkles, fine lines, and spider veins are all signs of aging that can be caused by sun exposure.

Those with fair skin are more prone to sun damage, because of their skin’s melanin levels. Melanin is the pigment in our hair, iris, and skin, and varies endlessly between individuals. This can be based on ethnicity or even genetics -- for example, melanin levels may be irregular in those with vitiligo or albinism. While everyone’s melanin levels are different and make them uniquely beautiful, some may need to worry more about sun protection.

Fair skin types produce less melanin, which also means they have less natural sun protection built into their skin. Melanin isn’t just a pigment; it’s also a protective element produced by your body to absorb and guard skin’s deeper layers from UV damage. This happens either as a result of one’s environment (if exposed to a high amount of UV rays), or as a genetic disposition. For those who see very little sunlight or who have naturally fair skin, melanin levels will be accordingly low, and therefore weaker in terms of UV protection. Long story short: if you have fair skin, sunscreen should be a part of your daily skin care regimen!

We’re hoping that after reading the top 5 reasons, this last one will make total sense. If you’re sticking to your chilly hometown this fall or winter -- even if it’s high noon and clouds fill the sky - - sneaky UV rays are still out in full force. Depending on the cloud type and formation, “light or thin clouds have little effect and may even enhance UV levels because of scattering”, says the World Health Organization. They also warn that you shouldn’t be fooled into leaving your sunscreen at home, simply because it’s overcast or cold outside.

Sun damage, sometimes referred to as “photoaging”, is also a major cause of wrinkles. If you spend a lot of time outdoors (sans sunscreen), you may notice that your skin ages at a more rapid rate. As free radicals and UV exposure from the sun degrade your skin’s texture and tone, deeper wrinkles will begin to form. Wrinkles, fine lines, and spider veins are all signs of aging that can be caused by sun exposure.

These 5 points aren’t the only reasons for wearing sunscreen. Some doctors may advise their patients to wear sunscreen based on their skin type, ethnicity, or family history. Contact your dermatologist for more information on sun protection, and your risk for skin cancer and other skin-related conditions. Finally, never leave your sunscreen at home, because healthy skin is all about prevention!

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Outside/ Media reference to include:
NewBeauty featured our Tomato Lycopoene SPF 20 Moisturizer in their fall "Beauty Report" print issue. Our moisturizer is one of the first recommended within the issue's "Sun Saviors' section, called out for its multi-purpose "mega benefits." Exact quote: "Hydrating 100% PURE Tomato Lycopene merges mega benefits with an effective moisturizer".