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My love affair with sunscreen and how it saved my sensitive skin

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Hi, everyone! I’m Sadia, and I have sensitive skin. 

When it comes to skincare, I have to be very careful about what products I use and how I use them. One product that I can’t live without, however, is sunscreen.

Lots of people think that they don’t need to wear sunscreen because they don’t spend enough time in the sun to get a sunburn. But even if you’re not planning on spending a lot of time outside, it’s still a good idea to use sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection.

Here’s my story

When I was a teenager, I spent a lot of time outdoors. I loved being in the sun. Taking part in sports or simply hanging out with friends. Having Asian roots and coming from a social circle where everyone believed only Caucasians need to apply sunscreens to protect their pale and fair skin, I didn’t think it was necessary to worry about wearing sunscreens either. After all, I wasn’t fair-skinned, and no one in my family or my friends used sunscreens. So why bother!

Early symptoms of sun damage

I would tan easily. All the other signs of photodamage like uneven skin, rough skin texture, redness, and blotchiness became apparent. My skin, particularly on the face, neck and forearms, would turn red and itchy.

Gradually that unusually dark skin tone became a permanent feature as I was outside in the sun every day for long hours. My parents would joke about it as I looked different from my other siblings as they were much fairer and had better skin conditions than me.  

Eventually, when I was in my mid-twenties, I became more and more sensitive to sunlightEven sitting near an open window inside the house or travelling by car would make my skin red and painful to touch.

I just couldn’t ignore the discomfort anymore. I stopped listening to my relatives and friends, who would brush it off as a simple matter. They would say sunlight cannot damage your skin; it is actually a good thing for your health with Vit D and all

Took matters into my own hands

Ignoring everyone around me, I finally went to see a dermatologist. He said that I have actually developed severe photosensitivity. I need to make sunscreen a must in my daily skincare routine. And this is not just to stop getting that inflamed feeling or developing rashes or dark skin tone. It should be my highest priority if I want to protect myself from skin cancer.

From then onwards, I became a believer in religiously applying sunscreen daily. Even on cloudy days, I always made sure to put on sunscreen before spending any time outside. I realized that no matter what your skin colour is, you need to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. This little simple addition to my skincare routine quickly brought wonderful positive results.

Symptoms of sun damage

So you see, symptoms of severe sun damage can take years to develop. Even if you can’t see the effects now, that doesn’t mean they won’t show up later. 

Did you know that there is actually a term called photoaging? Photoaging is different from normal, chronological ageing based on age and genetics. Photoaging happens when the skin’s structure is permanently damaged by ultraviolet light from the sun or tanning beds. Symptoms include wrinkling, pigmentation changes like age spots, liver spots and freckles, loss of facial elasticity, and rough, uneven skin texture.

Sunburn is a sign of short-term sun damage, which usually gets better on its own. But getting sunburned often can cause long-term damage, which may happen slowly over time.

Some of the common signs and symptoms of sun damage are:

  • Redness
  • Tenderness
  • Swelling
  • Blisters
  • Peeling of the skin
  • Wrinkles
  • Changes in skin tone
  • Freckles
  • Melasma
  • Age spots

How to choose the right sunscreen for you

When shopping for sunscreen, there are a few things you need to keep in mind if you have sensitive skin. 

  • Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher
  • Choose one without any fragrance and 

Make sure it is non-comedogenic

Why board spectrum

The sun produces different types of ultraviolet, i.e. UV radiation. UVB and UVA are two of them which cause sun damage and contribute to skin cancer. A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Broad-spectrum sunscreens have become standard in recent years, and they are widely available. Most stores carry them; just make sure that your bottle or tube of sunscreen says “broad spectrum” on it.

So if you’re looking for a sunscreen that will protect you from sunburn, premature ageing of your skin, developing wrinkles and age spots, and most importantly, from skin cancer, choose one that is water-resistant and with a broad spectrum that has an SPF of 30 or higher.

 

Why fragrance-free

Fragrance-free sunscreens are gentle on the skin. Many fragrances contain harsh chemicals that cause irritation, dryness, and redness. Fragrance-free sunscreens are also a good choice for people who have allergies or sensitive skin. Even though they tend to be more expensive than their scented counterparts, the extra cost is worth it to avoid the risk of skin irritation.

What the heck is non-comedogenic and why you need it

Yeah, I know. Quite a mouthful. Let me break it up for you.

Comedones are small, acne-like skin bumps. They are typically found at the opening of skin pores and are flesh-coloured, white, or dark bumps that give skin a rough texture. Open comedones are blackheads, and closed comedones are whiteheads. And since clogged pores lead to breakouts, blackheads, and whiteheads, using a sunscreen that is non-comedogenic will not clog pores.

If you have acne-prone skin, you might want to use non-comedogenic sunscreen. These products tend to be lighter and less greasy than traditional sunscreens. They’re less likely to cause breakouts. Non-comedogenic sunscreens typically contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These ingredients provide good sun protection without clogging pores. You can find non-comedogenic sunscreens at most drugstores and beauty stores. Be sure to read the label carefully to ensure the product is right for your skin type.

My personal favourite sunscreen lotion

Clinique sunscreen is my all-time favourite. I’ve been using it for years, and it’s never let me down. As I am extra sensitive to sunlight, I go for the ones with SPF 50. Higher SPF may look a bit oily on the skin, but it always feels light when I apply it. It is non-fragrant and also non-comodegenic.

 

It is a bit more expensive than other brands, but it’s worth it because it’s an amazing product. It’s oil-free, non-comedogenic, and contains niacinamide, which is great for calming sensitive skin.

How about you?

Now you know my story about sunscreens and how I fell in love with them when I understood their importance for my sensitive skin. 

What’s your story about sunscreen, and how did you find the right one for your skin type? Which brands are your favourite, and why do you love them so much. Do share it with us below.

 

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/warning-signs

https://www.dallasdermcenter.com/clinical-dermatology/sun-damage/

https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen

https://www.mana.md/broad-spectrum-sunscreen/#:~:text=A%20broad%20spectrum%20sunscreen%20protects,%E2%80%9Cbroad%20spectrum%E2%80%9D%20on%20it.

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