When should you start using sunscreen?

We always emphasise that sunscreen is the most important step in your skincare routine, but have you wondered at what age should people actually start using it? 

To many, this may come as a surprise - every individual, men and women, (and kids) alike, should form this habit of applying sunscreen as long as they are over 6 months of age. Sunscreen should be incorporated into one’s lifestyle as early as possible, with the exception of children below 6 months as their skin is highly sensitive during this period of growth. 

The reason to start sunscreen early is due to the fact that we always being and will always be exposed to the sun rays throughout our lifetime. By forming a shield and barrier between the harmful UV rays and your skin, you can better protect yourself from skin conditions such as premature ageing, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles.

Furthermore, as the skin of children is not yet fully developed, they are more susceptible to the harmful effects of UV rays due to them having much thinner skin and a non-existent self-defence mechanism, as compared to adults. This would mean that they are more vulnerable to deep cellular damage as they are unable to protect against UV rays. 50 - 80% of sun-related damage occurs during childhood and adolescence!

As young children, they love playing outside (or has this changed for the younger generation?). Sun damage is incremental and cumulative! Under prolonged sun exposure, it increases the risk of short term effects like dehydration, heat stroke, and painful sunburn. In more serious cases, long term risks include premature ageing and skin cancers such as melanoma.

A good sunscreen should have the following: 

• SPF30 or higher 
• Protects against both UVA and UVB rays (a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen) 
• Is waterproof (protects kids when they are in the water for 40–80 minutes) 
• For sensitive skin, choose a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide.

Morning Glow is a physical/mineral sunscreen that checks all the above boxes, as it has SPF50 and PA++++. It also contains Zinc oxide, which has one of the broadest UVA coverages of all sunscreen ingredients, plus UVB coverage. It is also great for high-factor sun protection, formulated for even the most sensitive skin!