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Why It's Important to Wear Sunscreen Every Day

Do You Apply Sunscreen Every Day?

June 23, 2010

With Summer officially here and sunny days the norm, wearing a sunscreen has never been so important. Even though I always wear sunscreen on my face, I am not very good at remembering to wear it on other parts of my body. Dumb, I know. But after returning from the beach with a slight sunburn, I've been doing my best to apply it to the rest of my body every day too. By investing in a moisturizing sunscreen I've made it easy on myself because I don't have to put on a sunblock before a moisturizing lotion.

Besides preventing sunburn, wearing a UVA/UVB sunscreen is defense against wrinkles, sun spots, and, most importantly, skin cancer. And while it might be a pain to do this every morning, it's worth the benefits. How about you . . .

Source: Thinkstock

23 Comments

bryseana 2 years 47 weeks

@ Anonymous 18 - the shade doesn't protect you from UVA damage. It's the same rule for cloudy days. Clouds don't stop ultraviolet aging rays. Anyway, if you're concerned about chemicals in sunscreen, you can try an all-natural alternative like Burt's Bees.

2 years 47 weeks

i don't buy into the theory that people need to be wearing sunscreen every day. Actually, if you live far away from the equator like I do, you don't get enough vitamin D even if you're outside for the entire day. I'm taking all the D I can get. There's also the fact that most sunscreens have cancer(and other disease)-causing ingredients in them. Check out skin deep cosmetics database to see whats in your sunscreen, if you're interested. I do, however wear sunscreen if I'm going to be outside all day up north or for more than about 20 minutes if I'm nearer to the equator. I prefer to just try to stay in the shade if I'm going on long walks etc.

amber512 2 years 47 weeks

No, because I haven't been able to find one that doesn't make me break out in horrible rashes!

luthien tinuviel 2 years 48 weeks

I have a huge favor to ask: does anyone know of a body lotion that contains spf? I have a facial moisturizer that does but I want sun protection for the rest of my body on a daily basis. I don't want to wear sunscreen day-to-day (because, as another commenter posted, it's no fun to smell like sunscreen in the office). I'm just concerned because I live in Arizona and my skin has been turning red just from my commutes! I have a family history of skin cancer so this is a huge concern of mine. Bonus points if you know of an affordable body lotion with spf that also contains natural ingredients. Thanks!!

Giasbash6260 2 years 48 weeks

You'd know my answer if you saw my stomach.... 2nd degree burns & peeling... ha ha, whoops!

Spectra 2 years 48 weeks

I'm not super religious about using it on my body and I don't spend a lot of time outdoors. If I'm outside a lot, I put SPF 30 on my face and wear a hat with a brim. I think using a ton of sunscreen is a tad overkill.

bryseana 2 years 48 weeks

I apply sunscreen to my face, neck, and chest everyday. I usually don't apply it anywhere else, except for my arms sometimes. I don't go to the beach or lounge in the sun. Asche, I agree, the sun has a lot of benefits as you mentioned. My dermatologist was more concerned with the dangers of tanning beds. bluesarahlou, Waterbabies is great for sensitive skin too. I have really sensitive skin and it's one of the few that don't irritate my skin. It also goes on easily and has a sheer finish unlike a lot of baby sunscreens that leave a white film.

bryseana 2 years 48 weeks

bluesarahlou 2 years 48 weeks

Thanks Glowing. :) I actually reacted horribly to the regular Aveeno sunscreen....so I'm a little hesitant to try the baby version. But I'll check out the ingredients and see how they compare.

bluesarahlou 2 years 48 weeks

Thanks Glowing. :) I actually reacted horribly to the regular Aveeno sunscreen....so I'm a little hesitant to try the baby version. But I'll check out the ingredients and see how they compare.

Asche 2 years 48 weeks

Nope. My dermatologist recommended not to wear sunscreen everyday (even oil free). She said that unless I'm in the sun for prolonged amounts of time, the minor sun exposure I will get is harmless (and I'm VERY fair). She added that by wearing sunscreen too much, my body won't absorb enough vitamin D, which could lead to a variety of bone problems and/or depression. I'm sure a lot of you will question my derm's advice, but I 100% agree with her advice. As a fair person, I am very careful in the sun, but I also think that society's neurosis with sunscreen goes into the direction of our overuse of antibacterial soap and medications. Sometimes you just have to let your body do what it was created to do!

Asche 2 years 48 weeks

GlowingMoon 2 years 48 weeks

Bluesarahlou: I have sensitive, allergy-proned skin, too. My dermatologist recommended Aveeno Baby SPF 55. It also serves as a moisturizer. It works great for me, and I buy it from Target. Hope this helps.As far as answering this post, yes, I do. I have fair skin, and I actually have problems with the sun if I don't use sunblock (freckles, heat rashes, etc.). Sometimes I re-apply during the middle of the day.

GlowingMoon 2 years 48 weeks

Bluesarahlou: I have sensitive, allergy-proned skin, too. My dermatologist recommended Aveeno Baby SPF 55. It also serves as a moisturizer. It works great for me, and I buy it from Target. Hope this helps. As far as answering this post, yes, I do. I have fair skin, and I actually have problems with the sun if I don't use sunblock (freckles, heat rashes, etc.). Sometimes I re-apply during the middle of the day.

bluesarahlou 2 years 48 weeks

I've yet to find a sunscreen I'm not allergic to....so with the exception of my facial moisturizer I don't typically wear any unless I know I'm going to be outdoors for a long period of time.

2 years 48 weeks

The problem with sunscreen is that it prevents your body from making vitamin D. Since you only need to spend about 15-20 minutes in the sun a day to get enough vitamin D sunscreen should be applied after being in the sun for a few minutes instead of before leaving the house.

bisou002 2 years 48 weeks

I use a Neutrogena facial moisturizer with spf 30 (and I always remember to put it on my neck, too!), but considering I'm stuck in an office all day, and not even near a window, I skip the rest of my body.

le romantique 2 years 48 weeks

I currently do not because my face has been extra greasy and breaking out often. Plus I'm indoors 9am-8pm on a normal day working... so I'm rarely outside. BUT if I have a day off I apply it every where and go outside and get some air.

2 years 48 weeks

Yes! even to my nether regions

socalbeachgal 2 years 48 weeks

I'm not usually outside much during the day so only my face but if I know I'll be outside, I try to remember to put it on. Not that we have had much sun so far this month...June gloom is a drag.

KMattes 2 years 48 weeks

I did one morning and all I heard all day is "you smell like you're going to the beach!" Maybe I gotta find a less "tropical" smelling lotion or something, but it was really distracting.