What are UV rays?

The sun provides light, warmth, and energy, but also something you can’t see: UV radiation. Many people think that UV radiation only plays a role on sunny (summer) days, but that’s not entirely true. UV radiation is present all year round, even when it’s cloudy. But what exactly is UV radiation, and why is it so important to protect yourself from it? We’ll tell you all about it in this blog article.

The Different Types of UV Radiation

UV stands for ultraviolet and is a form of radiation that you can’t see with the naked eye. There are three types of UV radiation, namely:

• UVA: This type of radiation penetrates deep into the skin and is a major cause of skin aging. Wrinkles, pigmentation spots, and sagging skin are mainly caused by UVA radiation.
• UVB: This is the radiation that can directly burn your skin. UVB plays a significant role in the development of skin cancer and is strongest on sunny days.
• UVC: Thankfully, this radiation doesn’t reach the Earth’s surface because the ozone layer completely absorbs it.

How Does UV Radiation Affect Your Skin?

You might be thinking, “A bit of sun’s good for you, right?” And you’re absolutely right! Sunlight stimulates the production of vitamin D. But too much UV radiation can be harmful. These are the main effects:

• Sunburn: A red, sore skin after a day in the sun? That’s damage caused by UVB radiation.
• Skin Aging: UVA rays break down collagen, causing wrinkles and sunspots to appear faster.
• Skin Cancer: Long-term exposure to UV radiation increases the risk of skin cancer, even if you don’t burn easily.

UV Radiation Is Always Present

To come back to where we started this blog: no, UV radiation isn’t only dangerous on sunny days in summer. UVA and UVB are also around in autumn and winter. They penetrate clouds and reflect off surfaces like water, sand, and snow. In the mountains or by the sea, the radiation is even stronger.

How Do You Protect Yourself from UV Radiation?

The aim of this blog isn’t to scare you, of course, but we do want to make you more aware of the harmful effects of UV radiation. Try to make more conscious choices, for example:

• UV-protective clothing: Special fabrics block harmful radiation.
• Broad-spectrum protection: Not all sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB. Check the packaging carefully.
• Seeking shade: Especially between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm, when the sun is at its strongest.

The Right Basic Skincare

You don’t need to slather on sunscreen or wear UV-protective clothing all year round to properly protect your skin. Small adjustments to your routine can make a big difference. In autumn and winter, when you often wear long sleeves, a day cream with SPF is an easy way to protect your face from harmful rays. Your hands also get a lot of UV exposure, so a hand cream with SPF is also a good idea.

In spring and summer, when you’re outdoors more, you can consider a lip balm with SPF or sunnies to protect your eyes and the delicate skin around them. By incorporating UV protection into your daily skincare routine, you protect your skin without it taking too much extra effort. The brighter the sun, the more seriously you need to take UV radiation and the more you need to protect and/or cover your skin.

Don’t Bury Your Head in the Sand

UV radiation is everywhere and can damage your skin unnoticed. By understanding what UV radiation is and how it works, you can better protect yourself and keep your skin healthy for longer. Fortunately, besides sunscreen, there are other smart ways to block UV radiation, such as our products. Check out our range, and if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch.

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