Here’s why you still need to wear sunscreen indoors
When it comes to sun protection, one of the most common misconceptions is that we don’t need to wear sunscreen indoors. Unfortunately, that’s not true—not even a little bit.
If you’re still not applying sunscreen daily, it’s time to consider it as a non-negotiable part of your daily skincare routine. No matter the weather, no matter your plans, no matter the time of the year, UV rays are hitting—and without protection, damaging—your skin.
Dermatologists harp on this over and over because it’s one of the best ways (if not the best) to protect your skin, regardless of your skin tone. Of course, your first priority is to prevent sunburn, which can raise your skin cancer risk. But, as a major bonus, sunscreen also keeps your skin looking young and healthy. A quality SPF can protect your skin from the harmful UV rays that cause premature aging and even reverse signs of damage by reducing dark spots, improving skin texture, and boosting brightness.
In case you didn’t know, even if you’re just sitting near windows or are in front of a computer screen, you could still be exposing your skin to damaging light. “Prolonged exposure to UV radiation, especially between 10am to 3pm puts us at risk for developing skin cancers, and can also lead to photo-aging—which are changes seen as wrinkles, pigmentation, and broken capillaries,” Dr. Gaile Robredo-Vitas, a board-certified dermatologist said in one of her vlogs. “Even on cloudy days, we still get exposed to UV radiation.”
According to her, there are two types of UV radiation coming from the sun, which are UVA and UVB. “UVA rays are more dangerous because they can reach the deeper layers of the skin and cause premature aging such as fine lines and dark spots.”
She also mentioned that there’s another type of “ray” that most of us are exposed to, especially in the age of COVID-19, called the blue light. According to Dr. Gaile, blue light is emitted from gadgets like our cellphones, tablets, and computer screens. It is said that it can penetrate deeper into the skin than UVA rays and although it’s not as strong and constant, prolonged exposure to it can also lead to hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.
If you’re still looking for that perfect sunscreen, below, we’re sharing our failsafe favorites. These formulas glide on like a dream and most importantly: ensure we won’t burn to a crisp.
Oxecure Acne Sunscreen SPF50+/PA++++
Affordable sunscreens are a dime a dozen, but Oxecure’s Acne Sunscreen is one of my faves for the face. It’s formulated with Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide to deflect UVA and UVB rays and blue light, and prevent from damaging your skin. It also contains Oligo-alginate, which controls excess oil, and Dandelion Extract, which repairs and detoxifies the skin to visibly fade dark marks caused by sun exposure or acne!
Snailwhite CC Cream SPF 50
This sunscreen is a true gift to any complexion! It’s ultra-lightweight, oil-free, and helps protect our skin against UVA/UVB rays, pollution, and free radical damage. It protects with SPF 50, but it also hydrates and helps us get glowing skin, thanks its intensive nourishment of snail secretion filtrate and Alps Edelweisse flower extract.
Happy Skin Rescue Me Sun Gel Primer SPF 50 PA+++ With Anti-Blue Light Technology
There’s a lot to love about this new sun gel primer from Happy Skin. It pulls double duty as a makeup primer and sunscreen, it blocks harmful UV and blue light rays that damage the skin, and it leaves no sticky feeling when worn. And last but not the least, it is formulated with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramide to keep skin hydrated and glowing.
Shiseido UV Clear Stick Protector SPF 50
There is no sunscreen out there that’s one-and-done kind of deal. No matter which formula you use, you will have to reapply for the best line of protection. So, why not make reapplications easy with this sunscreen stick. I especially love that the formula can be worn over makeup, so you don’t have to remove your foundation just to keep your skin protected. It can also be worn under makeup—the choice is totally yours.
