Sunlight is known to be the number one cause of aging. The majority of aging factors, including wrinkles and reduced skin elasticity, can be attributed to the sun.

Even if you are in your home and don’t go out during the day, you will still need sunscreen to protect your skin because UV rays can penetrate through the windows of your home, car, or office! Research has shown that sun rays also permeate clouds, implying that sunscreen is essential even on cloudy or overcast days. Let’s find out more information to help you find the best sunscreen for face that suits your needs today.

Harmful Rays: UVA, UVB IR, and Blue Light

All of the following rays damage the skin one way or another, and you must protect against them.

Ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B, both rays emitted by the sun, are the primary causes of skin concern. The sun radiates UVA, which causes aging, and UVB, which causes sunburn. These are the top attributes of aging, the breakdown of collagen, and skin cancer.

UVA emit a longer wavelength that penetrates the skin more deeply and reaches the lower dermal layer, the dermis. UVB rays have a shorter wavelength and mostly stay on the skin’s upper layers, the epidermis. Windows may block out most UVB rays; however, this is not so for UVA rays.

All UV rays continue to be present even when it rains or snows, as long as it is daytime, and the sun is out. Whenever either UV ray reaches your skin, it leads to increased melanin production, resulting in hyperpigmentation. This condition explains how prolonged sun exposure leads to tanning – something you should avoid because there is no “safe tan”.

Anti-aging products that cause quicker skin renewal can make you more susceptible to UV damage. If you use acids, exfoliating products, or retinoids in your skincare routine, it is even more important to wear sunscreen every day.

Other forms of harmful rays include infrared (IR) and blue light. Infrared rays can be detrimental in levels higher than real life sun exposure, and in fact, it occurs all around you through the technology gadgets you use, such as your smartphone and computer screen. Evidence reveals that blue light can contribute to photo-aging. It lowers the function of the cells, thus diminishing the ability of the skin to heal. Pigmentation, loss of volume, and elasticity are some of the results of blue light exposure. Check how many hours you spend staring at your smartphone and computer screens every day!

Don’t forget to apply a layer of sunscreen as the final step of your morning skincare routine. 

Choose a sunscreen that will provide broad-spectrum coverage with an SPF value of 30 or higher. SPF levels range from 2 to more than 70. The higher the number, the longer the protection lasts. Fortunately, AHC sunscreens are all broad-spectrum and SPF50+/PA++++.

For you and your skin to be protected against the harmful rays, you need to apply an additional layer of sunscreen as the final step of your morning skincare routine. Then, reapply it every eight hours during the day or after perspiration. In terms of water exposure, the protection will last up to 80 minutes. The sun protection will be adequate for two hours after you put it on – mainly because it has to form an even film across the face to be effective.

Apply a sufficient amount to cover your face and neck. Don’t forget to include your under-eyes, tops of lids area, as well as your ears, hairline, and back of the neck. It is always better to apply more than less.

Benefits of Wearing Sunscreen

Keep your skin protected through the day with AHC Natural Perfection Pro Shield Sun Line. 

It is the most uncomplicated anti-aging solution you can follow. Even when you practice a full routine of moisturising, anti-aging, and antioxidant ingredients, you essentially diminish the effects of these products if you do not apply sun protection daily. Wearing sunscreen will protect you from various issues, including the following:

Pigmentation

Those brown spots that are difficult to treat are called pigmentation, and the sun plays a huge role in their appearance. Even though pigmentation and sunspots are not easy to treat, wearing sunscreen every day helps diminish the existing ones and prevents new ones from appearing.

As the UV rays touch your skin, they trigger damage in the cells, which then turn darker to protect themselves. The darkening of the skin is the response of the melanocytes, which are also responsible for our skin colour. The same issue arises with acne marks, which can worsen when exposed to the sun without sunscreen protection.

Discolouration and pigmentation can be cumulative depending on the amounts of sun exposure over the years. We recommend protecting yourself all year round to avoid this.

Wrinkles

Wrinkles and skin aging come with a loss of volume and elasticity. Even with low exposure, UV rays can still degrade the skin’s elastin and collagen. The best prevention of this is wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.

Skin cancer

UV exposure and sunburn are linked to skin cancer, and UV damage is cumulative. You can avoid this risk by staying away from the sun – especially from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – and wearing a hat with a wide brim covering the ears and back of the neck. Apply sunscreen in your skincare routine in the morning, and then reapply it every two hours.

If you notice any new moles or changes in the size, shape or colour of existing moles, speak to your specialist doctor immediately.

Best Sunscreen for Face

Selecting the best sunscreen for you is crucial because you are more likely to wear it consistently all year round when you find the formula you like. AHC’s lightweight sunscreen formulas are suitable for all skin types and offer broad-spectrum protection so that you and your precious skin are safe.

AHC Natural Perfection Pro Shield Sun Perfector (SPF 50+/PA ++++)

AHC Natural Perfection Pro Shield Sun Perfector contains red propolis, probiotics, and panthenol to keep the skin hydrated while offering strong protection of SPF50+. This antioxidant serum is non-sticky and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin. The mild sun care formula nourishes the skin and leaves a dewy, transparent finish. It also protects against IR and blue light, thanks to its anti-pollutant and defence system.

AHC Natural Perfection Pro Shield Sun Stick (SPF 50+/PA++++)

With an absorbent and non-sticky texture, this clear sunscreen stick is suitable for all skin types. We recommend using the AHC Natural Perfection Pro Shield Sun Stick to top up your sunscreen during the day. Turn the dial on the bottom to release 0.5 cm of the stick and apply it across the face and neck. Its compact size is perfect for carrying around in your bag or pocket for re-application.

It is essential to keep your skin protected through the day, and the water-resistance formula won’t mess your makeup or move it out of place. Its finish is non-sticky, silky and refreshing. Its soothing and antioxidant ingredients include five pure natural water and a Phyto Protect Complex. The sun stick also helps to protect you against pollution, IR and blue light.

The sun's damage and UV rays can create for your skin are evident through pigmentation, wrinkles, and overall skin aging. Thankfully, the wide availability of sunscreen products allows us to slow down the detrimental effects while we continue to thrive in our daily activities. Whether you are using sunscreen for the first time or looking for a new sunscreen to level up protection on your face, AHC’s range of sun protection products can answer your needs.