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One organ, that most people don’t even think of as an organ, does a considerable amount of work for your body. A big reason it’s overlooked is that it’s not inside your body like the heart and lungs. We’re talking about your skin- all 300 million cells of it.

When it comes to the critical work of protecting your body and helping you maintain your natural beauty, there are quite a few factors working against your skin. Many surgical and non-surgical methods can reverse the signs of facial aging, but it’s crucial to protect your skin from as much environmental damage as possible in your day-to-day life.

One of the best skin-protecting tools at your disposal is everyday sunscreen. In this post, we’re going to help you avoid 5 of the things even intelligent people overlook when they reach for sunscreen.

1. Break Out the Sunscreen, Even When It’s Not Sunny

One of the most significant pieces of advice we can give you is to make daily sunscreen application a part of your routine- regardless of the weather. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun wreak havoc on your skin, even when it isn’t sunny. In fact, clouds can intensify damage from UV light. Using a sunscreen with moisturizer also provides the added benefit of hydrating and protecting your skin.

2. Reapply Sunscreen Every Two Hours

Reapply, reapply, reapply. Putting on sunscreen before you step out in the morning doesn’t mean you’re going to be covered when you eat lunch outdoors in the early afternoon. Most sunscreens start losing their protective value after just a couple of hours.

3. Sun Protection Is More Than Sunscreen

You should use sunscreen to provide a protective layer for your skin against the sun’s harmful rays, but you should also shade your skin with UV-resistant clothing and accessories. Some people do this with workout clothes made of special materials to protect them on their afternoon run, while others mindfully grab a hat or scarf to shade a larger portion of their skin’s surface area.

4. Apply Sunscreen BEFORE You Get Dressed

Most clothing still lets damaging sun rays touch your skin’s surface. Because of this, you should apply sunscreen before getting dressed to ensure you’re protected everywhere.

5. Look for a Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen

Many sunscreens aren’t necessarily designed to shield you from the full range of damaging UV rays. Make sure the bottle you select mentions broad-spectrum protection to keep you safe from UVA and UVB rays.

Interested in Learning More?

At Livingston Plastic Surgery, Dr. Christopher K. Livingston focuses each skincare consultation on a patient’s personal desires and concerns. If you’d like to learn more about your incredible surgical and non-surgical options to skincare, please contact us today for a consultation.

You can send a message through our website or call Livingston Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX at (281) 501-1812.