Do We Really Need Sunscreens? Here’s What Research Says!

Introduction

I clearly remember the time when I got introduced to sunscreens — it was back when I was diagnosed with chickenpox, and even though I recovered, it left me with stubborn marks on my face that didn’t go away. After meeting with a dermatologist, I was prescribed a few topical treatments, one of which was sunscreen — a beauty product that totally changed my skincare game! After applying it, I could understand why skincare experts advocate using sunscreens —- the many benefits of sunscreens make them a pivotal part of everyone’s skincare regimen. 

Too much exposure of skin to sun rays can wreak havoc on your skin, leading to wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging (1). This is where sunscreens come into play — they shield us from the harmful rays of the sun, thereby preventing premature skin aging, tanning, redness, and blotchiness, and even protect us from skin cancer (2). Let us explore the various advantages of using sunscreen! Keep reading to know more!

Top 5 Benefits of Using Sunscreens for Skin

1. Anti-aging Benefits

Let’s admit it — if we could, we would definitely want to make our skin look young and flawless forever and ever! Using sunscreen helps people prevent as well as reduce the signs of aging. When your skin is exposed to sun rays, it causes DNA changes at a cellular level, which in turn causes photodamage (a phenomenon characterized by skin damage caused due to sun rays). A study published on NCBI revealed that UV exposure is responsible for around 80% of visible skin aging signs (3). Studies reveal that daily application of sunscreen can help slow down the process of skin aging, unveiling youthful skin (2), (4) 

2. Soothes And Prevents Sunburns

Sunburn is a skin reaction that manifests as inflamed and red skin that feels painful and hot to the touch. It is caused by being in the sun for a prolonged period (5). The condition can be quite painful and can damage the skin, too. A recent study conducted in 2018 concluded that usage of sunscreen not only helps prevent tanning but also sunburns (6). Another study conducted in the year 2020 revealed that sunscreens with a higher SPF formula help prevent sunburns (7). 

3. Prevents Tanning

While tanning beds may have a huge popularity worldwide, it’s a proven fact that tanning can cause utmost damage to your skin cells, thereby accelerating the aging process of the skin. In fact, UVR exposure has been associated with the risk of developing melanoma — a type of skin cancer (8). Sunscreens play a pivotal role in preventing tanning effectively, leaving you with healthy and radiant skin (7). 

4. May Help Prevent Skin Cancer

One of the most important benefits of using sunscreen is that it helps in preventing skin cancer. When we spend too much time under the sun, our skin gets exposed to a lot of UV rays that damage the DNA in our skin cells. When these cells get damaged to an extent wherein they start growing out of control, it can further lead to skin cancer (1). According to a study, using sunscreen helps prevent the occurrence of skin cancer (7). 

5. Helps Make Skin Glowing

By preventing sunburns, fighting the signs of aging, and preventing tanning — sunscreen is a grooming product that helps one achieve flawless and radiant skin. 

These were the top 5 amazing benefits of sunscreens, backed by research. Now that you know the various uses of sunscreen, let us understand the ways to use the product to reap all its benefits. 

How to Use Sunscreen the Right Way?

As per the American Academy of Dermatology Association, there are various factors one should keep in mind when applying sunscreen, such as:

• Choose a sunscreen with an SPF formula of more than 30 that provides a broad-spectrum coverage. This will give you maximum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. 
• Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before stepping out in the sun and re-apply whenever required. 
• Make sure to slather sunscreen on your neck, ears, and legs, too. There are various sunscreens that are formulated for both facial skin and body use. Choose one according to your needs and ensure your body isn’t exposed to sun rays when heading out. 
• Apply sunscreen liberally to cover up all the areas properly. 
• Don’t forget to use sunscreen that suits your skin type. Always check the label and see if it caters to your skin type — also, steer clear of products packed with harsh chemicals like artificial fragrance, alcohol, oxybenzone, and parabens. 

Can You Make Sunscreen At Home?

It’s important to note that there are various DIY remedies circulating around the Internet claiming that making sunscreens at home is an easy-peasy task. As much as I love home remedies, I can’t recommend anyone to fall for these DIY hacks, as sunscreens need specific formulations, and their preparations are quite complex. Most DIY remedies for sunscreens talk about using coconut oil, aloe vera, etc. which are potent ingredients to boost skin health but don’t offer a lot of protection from sun rays. Hence, always buy sunscreen, and to elevate your skin health, you can also use coconut oil, aloe, glycerin, etc. as a homemade mask. But remember not to skip using regular sunscreen and try DIY sunscreen remedies in the hope that they will prevent tanning and sunburns. 

Conclusion

The benefits of sunscreens are numerous — as explained above, these beauties help soothe sunburn, prevent tanning, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and [prevent skin cancer. Applying sunscreen frequently can help you boost your skin health and say goodbye to the signs of skin aging. But it’s advised to choose the right product that suits your skin type and has a gentle formula to prevent unwanted allergies. Also, do a patch test before you use sunscreen to see how it reacts to your skin. If you experience any discomfort, discontinue use talk to your dermatologist, and ask for their help in picking the right sunscreen for you. 

Sources:

1. UV Radiation and the Skin

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3709783/

2. Anti-aging and Sunscreens: Paradigm Shift in Cosmetics

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6773941/

3. Effect of the sun on visible clinical signs of aging in Caucasian skin

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3790843/

4. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23732711/

5. Sunburn

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534837/

6. Knowledge and Attitude of General Population toward Effects of Sun Exposure and Use of Sunscreens

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6052747/

7. The efficacy and safety of sunscreen use for the prevention of skin cancer

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7759112/

8. Review of Interventions to Reduce Ultraviolet Tanning: Need for Treatments Targeting Excessive Tanning, An Emerging Addictive Behavior

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5714671/