This is what happens if you don’t protect your skin from the sun...

@thefashionspot

By: Thais Ribeiro

I am not someone who has ever really worried about protecting my skin from the sun. As a girl from Rio de Janeiro who then grew up in Abu Dhabi under a scorching desert sun, I never stopped to think about whether I needed to look out for myself. In fact, up until a while ago, I don’t think I had ever even owned a bottle of sunscreen. “I’m pretty tan”, I would think to myself, “I rarely get sunburnt--why would I slow down my tanning rate with sunscreen?”

This was an extremely dangerous way of thinking, and in the last year I have become extremely aware of the importance of protecting my skin from the sun. But exactly why is doing this so important? Here is a rundown of the major risks of sun damage, compiled from an article by Cleveland Clinic: different degrees of sunburn, dry, wrinkled, and discolored skin, and, in the long term, even skin cancer. So, take it from me, someone who absolutely hates putting on sunscreen--protection from the sun is crucial to maintaining smooth, healthy skin. Having lost a close family member to skin cancer, I felt obligated to ensure that I was not taking any risks when spending hours in the daylight. And this doesn’t mean only looking out when you’re at the beach or pool, but applying sunscreen daily (and this fact is reiterated in the Cleveland Clinic as well!).

While I was determined to make skin care a daily habit, I struggled with finding the proper products to achieve this. I don’t even wear makeup daily, so I found it annoying to have to smear the oily substance on my face each morning. Let alone the fact that most sun lotions available on the market are greasy, sticky, and left me looking like a character straight out of the Twilight series. The Cerave Hydrating Sunscreen by Cerave, which you can see below (and I SO encourage you to try out), addresses these points exactly. Their product, developed by US Dermatologists, protects the skin from harmful UV rays while providing “a healthy glow without any white cast”. The tinted lotion blends smoothly with my skin tone and provides a natural look. Application is only necessary once a day, there is no grease, and it comes in a variety of different shades and SPF strengths to match your skin tone perfectly. It’s basically a two for one deal: protection and foundation.

With all of this being said, let’s not forget that the sun can also be really good for you! Being outdoors in general is great for both your mental and physical health, and a bit of sun exposure per day can help boost your Vitamin D production. In the end, like all things, sunlight is harmful in excess, but if you’re protected under a couple layers of Cerave’s Sunscreen, you’re all set to get your tan on! Not only will you be safe from sun damage, but you’ll be more than ready for those golden hour selfies. Don’t miss out on this summer essential and take on your holidays in 2021 with healthy, glowing skin!!