Most of us are aware of the importance of applying sunscreen to avoid sunburn and damage. Unfortunately, there is also quite a few misinformation about the use of sunscreen. When it comes to sun protection, one of the most common misconceptions is that you don't need to wear it indoors.
But today we are setting the record straight. The truth is we should always wear sunscreen, no matter what skin colour or tone you have, whether if you are out in the sun or in the comfort of your home.
To better explain why we need sunscreen even when indoors, it is important to know the difference between 2 types of UV rays- UVA and UVB.
UVA rays are generally linked to skin cell aging and are the cause of wrinkles, sunspots, and other sun damage signs. UVB rays, on the other hand, are more powerful and can destroy DNA in skin cells directly. Sunburns are caused by UVB rays, which are also associated to many skin cancers.
You may or may not know but standard glass windows used in cars, home and office is designed to block most UVB rays, but does not protect from all UVA rays. Even if you're indoors, if you're near a window, you are still at risk of UVA ray exposure and possible skin damage.
Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of the sun’s rays can still pass through.
Therefore it is recommended to always wear sunscreen, no matter your skin tone or colour is.
To ensure maximum protection, apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before if you are going out. If you are putting on makeup, apply your sunscreen as the last step in your skincare regime, and wait approximately 5 minutes for it to absorb before applying your foundation.
The frequency of reapplying sunscreen depends on a few factors (and you should always follow the manufacturer's directions of use), but the general rule of thumb is every 2 hours when exposed to the sun, or immediately after swimming, exercising, or building up a sweat.
If you are wearing makeup, you can use a dry makeup sponge to reapply your sunscreen on top of your makeup. To begin, dab a small amount of sunscreen onto the flat section of a dry makeup sponge and dot – not drag – it over your face. To get even coverage, concentrate on dotting and blending sunscreen on a small region at a time (forehead, nose), then go on to the next section. To avoid wiping away your makeup, carefully press the sunscreen into the skin with the sponge without dragging it. You may need to touch up your blush with this dotting method, but you won't ruin your entire face.
While it's crucial to protect ourselves from the sun, it's also important to remember that sunlight isn't the enemy. We still need it to stimulate the production of vitamin D in our bodies, and it's also important for our mood. It's never been easier to be sun-safe while staying positive.
Hence to still enjoy the benefits of sunlight, we recommend to apply a broad-spectrum SPF as a strong protective layer against UV rays with SPF not least than 30 (the best is 50). Choose a product that has a water-like texture, is non-sticky, and feels light on the skin even after numerous applications. Non-greasy has a high moisturizing content and is suitable for combination, oily, normal, and dry skin types.
Carefully curated by skincare experts from Korea and France, Dr. W!SH’s Homecare UV Defence is clinically proven to protect the skin from UVA, UVB, visible light, and infrared radiation with SPF 50.
With a Ultra-light fluid cream texture with the finish of a gel, Dr. W!SH’s Homecare UV Defence is perfect for use in our tropical weather as it will not clog pores.
Whether you plan to be outdoors or not, apply sunscreen daily. Your skin will thank you for it down the line.
