Summer is a season of intense sunlight, but there are also periods of monsoon rain, leading to many cloudy days. People often neglect to apply their essential summer sunscreen when the weather is gloomy. But if we’re not directly exposed to the sun’s rays, is it okay to skip sunscreen on cloudy days?
UV Rays Exist Even Indoors
Sunlight can cause pigmentation, such as freckles and age spots, skin aging, and even skin cancer, so applying sunscreen is one of the most important things. Many people think they are 100% safe from UV rays if they stay indoors for a long time or don’t leave the house, but this is a misconception.
UV Rays Transmitted to the Skin Even on Cloudy Days
About 80% of UV rays reach the earth’s surface, even on cloudy days or under the shade. They pass through almost all glass, such as car and house windows, and only about 70% of natural fibers like cotton can block UV rays. Depending on the situation, the UV rays can become even more vital as light is reflected off the moisture in the clouds. Therefore, even if it is cloudy or raining, you should apply sunscreen, and UV protection is essential both outdoors and indoors on sunny days.
How to Enhance the Effect of Sunscreen?
To enhance the effect of sunscreen, it is essential to apply an adequate amount. According to the World Health Organization, an adult woman’s face requires about 0.8g of sunscreen, 2mg per square centimeter of skin. To maximize the effect of sunscreen, you should apply an amount about the size of an adult’s thumb, considering the size of your face.
Reapply Often
Also, remember to reapply often. It’s best to reapply every two hours on average. Applying sunscreen again 20 minutes after the first application can further enhance the UV protection effect. It takes about 20 minutes for sunscreen to penetrate the stratum corneum and take effect, so you should apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going out to see the effect.
Which Product Should I Choose?
UV rays can be divided into UV-A, which causes skin aging, and UV-B, which causes skin cancer. To block UV-A, you need to look at the PA index; to block UV-B, you need to look at the SPF index. The more “+” signs in PA, the higher the blocking effect, and the higher the number in SPF, the higher the blocking effect.
High UV Protection is Unnecessary
The Food and Drug Administration does not officially certify products with an SPF of 50 or higher as particularly meaningful in Korea. There are products with an SPF of over 100 abroad, but if you want to buy such a product, you must be more careful and look into it before purchasing. Usually, choosing a product with an SPF of 30 or higher and a PA of ++ or higher will provide UV protection for daily life.
Apply Thoroughly to the Edges of the Face
While applying sunscreen is important, using it thoroughly without missing any areas is also crucial. The most commonly overlooked areas are the eyelids and their surroundings, between the eyes, and the bridge of the nose. Also, there are many cases of sun damage along the hairline or skin cancer, so it’s important to start applying sunscreen from the periphery of the face rather than the center. This habit will allow you to use it all over your face evenly.
Masking Doesn’t Help
Wearing a mask does not completely block UV rays. Until a few months ago, when we were required to wear masks, many people wondered whether they still needed to apply sunscreen to their covered faces. However, most health masks worn to prevent infection do not block UV rays. Therefore, even when wearing a mask, it’s best to always apply sunscreen to your face before going out.
If I Applied a Foundation with a High UV Block Index?
What if you don’t apply sunscreen and only use foundation, pact, cushion, etc., that contain UV-blocking ingredients? This has little effect. Even if a cosmetic contains UV-blocking ingredients, the amount is not sufficient. Therefore, you should not rely solely on it and should always use sunscreen separately for effectiveness.
Should I Apply Sunscreen to My Lips?
The lips are also a very important part of the face. Lips and ears are places where skin cancer often occurs, but when cancer occurs, treatment is difficult, and prognosis is poor. Also, skin cancer on the lips easily metastasizes, and skin cancer on the ears often recurs. Sunscreen is the most cost-effective anti-aging method, so if it’s burdensome to apply it directly to your lips, you should at least use a lip balm with a UV-blocking function.
By. Jeon Shin Yeong
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