Exposing the Myths about Using Sunscreen at Night.

Understand what sunscreen is and should we apply sunscreen at night.

Sunscreen is a sun exposure barrier meant to protect and keep your skin hydrated. It is a formulated solution to protect your delicate skin from lethal sun rays (UV rays), which if unprotected could lead to skin cell damage, sunburns, accelerate ageing, cause hyperpigmentation and increase the risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen comes in two types: mineral and chemical, the former one contains ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which physically block UV rays and the latter one absorbs UV radiation and converts it into heat, which is then released from the skin in the form of sweat. It is not necessarily recommended to use sunscreen at night. Both work as a barrier against harmful direct UV rays, but are they not concerned at night? That’s a resounding yes, it is not necessary to apply sunscreen at night because your skin repairs and regenerates overnight. 

Can We Use Sunscreen at Night?

Is it good to apply sunscreen at night? Probably No, because it is meant to protect your skin from harmful UV rays which are not present at night and chemicals present in it might not be beneficial for your skin. But in some unusual cases like working with blue and artificial light, you can opt for sunscreen for protection. 

You might wonder if it is a waste to use sunscreen at night, absolutely right. The time you spend sleeping is perhaps the only time you do not have to worry about protecting yourself from the dangers of natural and artificial light. Instead of wearing sunscreen at night, use products supporting skin repair like serums, retinol, moisturizers, toners etc. Applying sunscreen at night might be a worse decision since the molecules that protect against UVA and UVB rays are pretty large, and they can press into your skin while you sleep, enlarging your pores. The skin restores balance while we sleep, so it's essential to apply moisturiser and let it settle perfectly in the skin before going to bed, do not let bacteria get attached to your face and cause breakouts.

What are Some Adverse Effects of Using Sunscreen at Night?

Clog pores:

Sunscreen may clog your pores leading to more skin breakouts and pore enlargement. The ingredients in sunscreen construct a barrier specifically to prevent UV rays. This barrier might not be beneficial at night and may worsen your skin condition rather than improve it.

Disrupts Skin Barrier: Sunscreen contains strong chemicals like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which may interfere with skin repair. leading to less hydration and more prone to irritation or dryness since the skin may not be able to effectively renew and repair itself while trapped under layers of sunscreen. Also, your skin needs to breathe once a day, after the harsh pollution and extreme weather, for it to repair. Applying sunscreen interrupts this function and may even further damage the skin.

Extremely Unnecessary: Sunscreen is specifically formulated to protect your skin cells from damage through UV rays but there are no sun rays at night, therefore no requirement of protection. Sunscreen at night is quite an unnecessary process which could lead to adverse effects.

Locking in Products: Sunscreen at night might lock in other products and may reduce the effects of other products. Sunscreen often contains silicones and other occlusive ingredients that help it form a protective barrier on the skin. If you wear sunscreen at night, it may trap in other skincare ingredients, which can interfere with your nighttime skincare routine, potentially preventing your skin from fully absorbing the ingredients in your other treatments.

Conclusion

Sunscreen in the daytime with moisturizer could do wonders on your skin. But using sunscreen at night increases the risk of skin irritation and pore clogging which could make your skin appear saggy and slobbish. Rather choose a different nighttime routine which will support your skin health and nourish it. Try using night creams and use soft supple deep moisturizer or serums to help heal your tired skin overnight. Let your skin breathe, relax and repair at night. Sunscreen layered with, moisturizer helps maintain a smooth barrier for your skin. They both add extra care and pampering at night and wake you up to a gorgeous glow.