top of page
Search

Sunspots even after applying sunscreen? Here’s why! (#10 will shock you!)

  • purpurkyi
  • Mar 18, 2021
  • 4 min read

Updated: Apr 16, 2021


Still getting sunspots despite wearing sunscreen religiously? Here are the most likely reasons why. Sunspots are dark or discoloured spots on the skin caused by overexposure to UV light. This exposure causes your skin to increase melanin production. Over a prolonged period of time, your skin begins to develop collections of melanin, causing a darker spot.


So, what exactly is the culprit behind all these stubborn sunspots?



1. Applying inadequate amount of sunscreen



According to skin care experts, most of us are using far less sunscreen than we should be. The ideal amount to use should be approximately two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimetre of skin, which is actually a full shot glass for the whole body! Yes, most sunscreens are thick, greasy and uncomfortable and that’s why we are so hesitant to wear them but we can still opt for those that allow our skin some breathing space and make us feel comfortable such as WashOn Sunscreen.


2. Insufficient SPF



All sunscreens have the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) which tells you how long the sun’s UVB rays will take to redden your skin if you apply the sunscreen exactly as directed compared to the amount of time without sunscreen.

If you are living in a tropical country like Singapore, where there is ample sunlight, SPF 30 should be the minimum you should be opting for! In fact, the higher the SPF, the more protection your skin receives, the better it is for you and your health. For those living in tropical areas, SPF 15 or cosmetic products with SPF will not be enough to prevent sun spots from forming in the long run.



3. Not applying daily


Do you really apply everyday? We are all busy people with busy schedules and sometimes we run late and forget to apply sunscreen. Yes, we all make these mistakes but it also comes at the price of your skin 一 sunspots. These pesky sunspots are not worth the occasional slips up. So, be sure to wear sunscreen everyday!



4. Applying sunscreen after makeup




Should moisturisers come before or after makeup? According to most dermatologists, for maximum protection against the sun, any sunscreen product used should be applied directly onto skin, underneath any makeup, moisturisers and other skincare products. Physical sunscreens should be applied after moisturiser, but before makeup. Whereas chemical sunscreens should be applied before the moisturiser since the sunscreen needs to get absorbed into the skin. WashOn Sunscreen allows you to have the most natural finish that is non-sticky and non-greasy so that you can look your best while being protected!



5. Applying only after reaching outdoors



It takes time for sunscreens to fully absorb into the skin so it should be applied before reaching outdoors or under the sun. Sunscreens should be applied at least 20 minutes before setting foot outdoors in order to get the full protection from the sun as stated on the bottle.



6. Using expired products



After the expiry date has reached, active ingredients in sunscreens will start to break down, hence making it more difficult to determine the actual value of SPF and the amount of protection it offers. So you may actually be getting lesser protection than what is stated on the bottle. Besides, expired products should not be used anyway.



7. Not storing it properly



An often overlooked factor is the way your sunscreen is being stored. If your sunscreen is exposed to heat and light, the chemicals in the sunscreen will react faster and hence break down more quickly. This causes the sunscreen to become less stable, decreasing its effectiveness and destroying its potency. Always remember to store your sunscreen away from the sun!



8. Not reapplying sunscreen



Sunscreens should be reapplied every 2 hours especially under the blazing hot sun. However, most of us do not reapply sunscreen after putting on make up due to how inconvenient it is and that means we are not getting adequate sun protection by noon time even if we applied it in the morning. As sunscreens neutralise UV rays, UV filters in sunscreens become ineffective. The more UV rays they absorb, the faster their deaths and the faster the sunscreen is used up. For chemical sunscreens, photochemical reactions use up sunscreen and hence should be reapplied.



9. Heat can cause dark spots




Recent studies have also shown that heat is another factor that causes melanin production by increasing vasodilation, which is the dilation of blood vessels. This causes more redness to appear, particularly in areas of melasma. Heat can also lead to inflammation and stimulate melanocyte pigment production.



10. Skipping the sunscreen when it's overcast or when staying indoors



Clouds do not block UVA and UVB rays from penetrating your skin. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, clouds filter less than 25% of the UV rays that penetrate your skin to cause skin cancer. While it feels cooling on a cloudy day, your skin will still absorb a majority of the UVA and UVB rays. So remember to wear sunscreen regardless of what the weather says!


WashOn Sunscreen provides you with the necessary protection you need from both UVA and UVB rays so that you can be a step closer to having a flawless skin free from sunspots!



References


Dr Rachel Ho: Sunscreen Reviews: The Best, Worst and Unsafe Sunscreens I've Tried. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.drrachelho.com/blog/sunscreen-reviews/


B, P., Says, J. K., Kelley, J., Says, P. B., Says, M., Mc, . . . Frances. (2018, August 04). I wear sunscreen daily but still get dark spots! Why? Retrieved from https://www.mywomenstuff.com/2018/06/sunscreen-daily-dark-spots/


Renée RouleauCelebrity Esthetician & Skincare ExpertAs an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry. (2019, August 05). Slathering On Sunscreen But Still Seeing Brown Spots? - Renée Rouleau. Retrieved from https://blog.reneerouleau.com/slathering-on-sunscreen-but-still-seeing-brown-spots/


Tschinkel, A. (2019, May 15). 12 mistakes you're making that are sabotaging your sunscreen. Retrieved from https://www.insider.com/sunscreen-mistakes-less-effective-2018-6


Ask the Expert: Does a High SPF Protect My Skin Better? (2020, December 02). Retrieved from https://www.skincancer.org/blog/ask-the-expert-does-a-high-spf-protect-my-skin-better/


Sunspots on skin [Digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.besthealthmag.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Sunspots-On-Skin.jpg




Aesthetic summer tropical [Digital image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://p.favim.com/orig/2018/07/20/aesthetic-summer-tropical-Favim.com-6057184.jpg



[Beauty products organiser]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fb/a8/c6/fba8c69dba2f2b894b362fdd1efa1349.png































 
 
 

תגובות

Post: Blog2_Post

Subscribe Form

Thanks for submitting!

  • Facebook

©2021 by Aquea. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page