Acne is a natural part of growing up. It is one of the many changes our bodies go through when we reach puberty and people have different experiences with it (some have mild acne while others experience worse breakouts). But one of the things many of us are taught to do when dealing with a nasty breakout is to look for acne-fighting ingredients in the skincare products we slather on our face.
Aside from curating our skincare routine so it contains niacinamide, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, or other popular acne-fighting and acne-clearing ingredients, we must also make sure we’re not neglecting one important step in the routine: sunscreen.
How sunscreen can help with acne
When you think of acne, sunscreen wouldn’t be the first to come to mind, but it’s actually an essential step especially if you’re hoping to steer clear of acne spots once your breakout subsides. Sunscreen is primarily used to protect your skin from UV exposure and other unwanted effects brought about by sun exposure (like sunburn, or worse, skin cancer). One study suggests that the ideal skincare routine that can effectively alleviate acne should include sunscreen for the primary reason that it protects the skin from hyperpigmentation, aka darkening of spots caused by exposure to UV rays. You may not readily notice it, but a part of why you’re more prone to developing dark acne scars is because of sun exposure (which sunscreen can address).
And just because we don’t go out nowadays doesn’t mean we’re safe from unwanted UV exposure. Shiseido’s regional director Tomo Osawa shares that UV rays can be scattered or reflected by surfaces and can pass through windows, exposing us to risks despite being indoors. It’s still highly encouraged that we don’t skip sunscreen even if we have no intentions of going out, and especially if we like working or hanging out by our windows.
It’s still important to note, however, that sunscreen won’t fade your dark spots or stop acne altogether, but it can play a considerable role in preventing acne scars from darkening. It’s also essential to remember to wash your face at the end of the day to prevent sunscreen and other leftover dirt or products on your face from clogging your pores and further aggravating your acne situation.
If you’re hoping to incorporate a trusty sunscreen into your routine, here are a few options for you to choose from:
Celeteque Face & Body Sun Care Spray SPF50, P449, Lazada
Nivea Sun UV Face Q10 Anti-Age & Anti-Pigment Facial Cream SPF50, P346, Watsons
Skin by BYS Extra Effortless Pore Perfecting Sunblock, P799, Watsons
Anessa Perfect UV Mild Milk, P1,990, Lazada
Oxecure Acne Sunscreen SPF 50+/PA++++, P109, Lazada
READ MORE:
How Long Should You Wait In Between Layering Skincare Products?
6 Skincare Ingredients to Look for if You Want to Fade Acne Scars
Why Petroleum in Skincare Isn't Always Good + Products That Don't Contain It
Why Skincare Lovers Use Alcohol-Free Toners, Plus Products to Try
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