Video: Why (And How) You Should Wear Sunscreen

In many cases the sun is our friend. It increases the production of vitamin D in our body which has all kinds of health benefits: it enhances our mood, supports our immune system and improves our skin.

The sunlight also helps us wake up more easily in the morning and the ultraviolet (UV) rays can lower our blood pressure.

But even though the sun has so many good qualities it can still be harmful in large amounts. Which is why people invented sunscreen.

Here is what it does:

• Decreases the risk of skin cancer
• Prevents the appearance of brown spots and other skin discolorations
• Reduces redness and blotchiness
• Slows down the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging

This is why it is so important to shield your skin from the sun if you are spending a lot of time outdoors.

Here are some tips on using sunscreen:

• Sunscreens have different factors. The higher the factor – the more protection you get. Choose at least factor 15.
• Apply sunscreen at least 10 minutes before going outdoors, as it takes time for your skin to absorb the sunscreen.
• Don’t forget about not-so-obvious parts of your body like ears, toes, scalp and lips.
• Choose a water resistant sunscreen if you’re planning to go for a swim.
• Reapply it every couple of hours.
• Make sure not to use expired sunscreen. It no longer has any effect. Plus it may cause allergies and skin irritations.
• Use sunscreen even on cloudy days.