skin science
What happens to your skin without UV protection
You’ve heard the constant advice to wear sunscreen always, but do you know why? Here’s what the sun does to bare, unprotected skin.
Fact: you need to wear sun protection every day. Also a fact: some days, it doesn’t feel like it’s a huge deal if you skip it. We hate to be the bearer of bad news but unfortunately, sun damage doesn’t take a day off. Your skin remains vulnerable to the havoc UV rays can wreak even on the most overcast of days.
To help fire up your motivation and commitment to slathering on UV protection every day, here’s an inkling of what the sun does to your skin at full blast.
It weakens your skin’s natural defences
Your skin has a natural protective barrier that is highly impermeable, designed to both prevent moisture loss and stop harmful irritants or microorganisms from entering your skin. A large part of this protection comes from dead cells and lipids, which are natural fats in the barrier that coat your skin. UV rays are able to oxidise these lipids and weaken your skin barrier as a whole.