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Skin Care Basics: Your Guide to Healthy Skin
You know you’re supposed to wear sunscreen, but what you may not know are all the reasons why it’s so very important. In this edition of our Doctor’s Office series, Dr. Adeline Kikam, a dermatologist and founder of @brownskinderm, a platform dedicated to skin care and dermatologic health education for all skin types, especially skin of color, gives us her top five reasons why sunscreen should be a key player in your everyday skin care routine.
Depending on the decade in which you were born, you most likely learned the importance of wearing sunscreen either as a small child or as a young adult. However, whatever your age, you may not have been taught all the reasons why you should wear sunscreen.
Of course, no one wants to experience the pain and suffering caused by a sunburn. That part is obvious. But sunscreen also performs a few other crucial tasks in maintaining your overall health and the health and appearance of your skin.
Besides protecting you from sunburn (if your skin type does burn), why should you wear sunscreen? Here are my top five reasons:
Now, it’s important to know what type of sunscreen to use. I always recommend a physical sunscreen with an SPF of no less than 30. Unlike chemical sunscreens, physical sunscreens are made of mineral-based ingredients, such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide (some also contain iron oxide, which protects against blue light) that sit on top of the skin, deflecting damaging UV rays, rather than being absorbed.
Remember, sunscreen should be applied every two hours, every day, regardless of whether you’ll be spending most of your time inside or out. You should also pair it with a topical vitamin C serum, which can help combat exposure to free radicals and ultraviolet light, slow the signs of aging and brighten your complexion. When venturing outside, don’t just rely on your sunscreen, seek shade and wear wide-brimmed hats and other UV-protective clothing as well.
Dr. Adeline Kikam is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of @brownskinderm, a platform dedicated to skin care and dermatologic health education for all skin types, especially skin of col... Read More >