Myth Busted: You Need Sunscreen Even When it’s Cloudy Outside

April 01, 2019

We know it’s April Fool’s day, but don’t be fooled to not wear sunscreen when the sun is hiding behind the clouds! The sun transmits 3 types of ultraviolet radiation - UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. UVC rays are stopped by the ozone layer and don't penetrate the earth’s atmosphere, but UVA and UVB can affect our skin in dangerous ways if we are not careful.

(Image Credit: https://www.simplysunscreen.com/how-does-sunscreen-work.html)

A cloudy day or lack of sunlight might protect us against exposure to UVB rays, but we are still exposed to UVA rays. UVB rays are the shorter ones that burn the surface layers of your skin, while UVA rays penetrate deeper into your skin’s surface. ⁣80-90% of skin aging comes from sun light, and UVA rays contribute significantly to signs of ageing and skin cancer.

Sunscreens are tricky to formulate and even more so find the one that’s right for you, so make sure you choose a broad spectrum SPF to ensure protection against all types of sun rays. It’s tough to remember to wear sunscreen when you have a darker skin tone and don’t ‘burn’ in such an apparent way, but your skin and health will thank you later. Also, while eye creams and gels can somewhat help with wrinkles or ‘crows feet,’ one of the best ways to prevent eye wrinkles is to apply sunscreen (provided the formula is gentle) on the area around your eyes as well.

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