In collaboration with VICHY.
As someone with fair skin, sunblock has been an ever present requirement year round. Don’t get me wrong – I would LOVE to tan if the little melanin in my skin would allow. Unfortunately, sunburns are a very real experience for me, and I try to avoid them at all costs. The pain and peeling skin, not to mention the frequent skin checks to make sure I don’t have a suspicious mole or mark – not.fun.
Regardless of whether or not your skin tans, sunblock should be a vital part of your skincare routine. Here’s why:
Hyper pigmentation: With more exposure to the sun, your skin can eventually see the effects in hyper pigmentation. For me right now, those are temporary freckles. Eventually, it can lead to permanent dark spots on the skin.
Wrinkles: The secret to looking young longer? Wear SPF! As your skin gets damaged by prolonged sun exposure, you’ll find more and more wrinkles. Us ladies are always looking for the next anti-aging cream/treatment/solution, and when you start caring for your skin early by using SPF you’re already combatting the agin effects of the sun.
Cancer: Yep, the big one. Melanoma is a fast killer if not detected early, so it’s so important to protect your skin and know the warning signs. I generally look for:
- Any new, funny looking moles or freckles
- Any changes in the moles/freckles/birth spots I already have like growth or if they develop new darker pigments
A quick WebMD search can get you more information so you know more of the warning signs.
In case you’re wondering which sunblock to choose from, I typically rely on SPF 30-50. There are higher ranges sold, but they don’t do much more in terms of the amount of time you can spend in the sun, or have any significant incremental sun protection.
Although I hate the typical thick, sticky, and oily feeling of sunblock, I LOVE the feeling of VICHY Idéal Soleil Sunscreen. It quickly absorbs into the skin without the streaky whiteness left from typical sunblock lotions. This makes it perfect to wear on my face and other areas typically exposed to the sun (a “driver’s arm” so to speak, shoulders, and more). Available at $25.50, it’s a reasonable price to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun this summer! You can get yours today on Amazon!