Skin Care
Sunscreen usually comes to mind during sunny summer days, but its benefits go far beyond warm weather. It blocks harmful UV rays, lowers your risk of skin cancer, and helps prevent early wrinkles — and it starts protecting your skin within minutes of applying. It’s one of the most effective beauty staples. To keep skin healthy and glowing, however, sunscreen should be part of your daily routine. Here’s why:
Why Do I Need SPF? The Benefits Of Sunscreen
1. Lowers Your Risk Of Skin Cancer
Sunscreen helps protect your skin and reduces the chance of developing skin cancers and precancerous cells. Using SPF together with other sun-safe habits — like covering up, wearing a hat and sunglasses — cuts down the damage from sun exposure. The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that using sunscreen with SPF 15 can lower the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by about 40% and reduce melanoma risk by around 50%.
2. Guards Against Sunburn
UVA rays (the same rays used in tanning beds) contribute to long-term skin damage like wrinkles and are linked to some cancers, while UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn and are believed to cause many skin cancers. Sunburns are painful and increase the risk of serious cancers: even a single sunburn can raise your skin cancer risk because UV radiation damages the genetic material in skin cells. Sunscreen protects by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering harmful sunlight.
3. Prevents Redness & Inflammation
Too much sun not only causes sunburn but also leads to redness and inflammation. Ultraviolet rays damage the skin, and the body sends more blood to the area to help repair it, causing the skin to become red.
4. Helps Prevent Early Wrinkles & Fine Lines
Sunscreen is one of the best defenses against premature aging. Long-term UVA exposure breaks down collagen and reduces skin elasticity, speeding up the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and crow’s feet. In fact, as much as 90% of visible aging signs come from sun damage. Adding SPF to your daily routine is an easy way to protect your skin’s appearance.
5. Reduces Blotchy Skin & Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is uneven darkening of the skin that can be genetic but is often worsened by sun exposure. Dark spots and blotchy patches commonly appear on areas exposed to the sun, like the face and hands. The good news: wearing sunscreen regularly — not just in summer — helps prevent dark spots, sunburn, wrinkles and skin cancer.
Sun exposure can seriously affect your skin, causing premature aging, cancer and other changes. Even if you avoid the sun by staying indoors or during winter, there are times when SPF is still important.
Do You Need Sunscreen In The Winter?
Dr. Hooman Khorasani, a board-certified cosmetic and skin cancer surgeon, explains that UVA radiation can penetrate clouds and windows, so it can affect your skin on overcast days and during winter. Even snow can reflect UVA rays if you’re sitting near a window. He stresses that daily sunscreen use is one of the most effective ways to prevent skin cancers like melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Beyond cancer prevention, sunscreen also helps protect the skin’s collagen from UV damage, which reduces wrinkles, fine lines and pigmentation.
Dr. Khorasani also notes there’s growing evidence that blue light from screens may contribute to photoaging, though more research is needed. Blue light has been shown to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can harm skin cells and lead to aging signs and pigmentation issues. Light from screens and artificial sources could therefore affect skin health over time.
Consistently applying and reapplying broad-spectrum sunscreen builds a protective layer against these everyday exposures. Dr. Khorasani recommends making sunscreen a year-round, non-negotiable part of your routine — a simple, powerful step to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
5 Surprising Situations When You Should Wear SPF
1. Indoors
If you spend the day inside but near windows, UVA rays can still reach you through glass. Bright rooms with sunlight streaming in can expose you to similar UVA levels as being outside.
2. On Cloudy Days
Even on overcast days, up to 80% of the sun’s UV radiation reaches the ground. That means you can still get skin damage while outdoors, no matter the season.
3. At High Altitudes
UVB rays can cause sunburn and damage even when you’re in the mountains. Snow reflects up to 80% of the sun’s rays, so when you’re skiing or spending time on snowy slopes, apply sunscreen to exposed skin to guard against reflected UV exposure.
4. During Winter
The ozone layer, which helps block some solar radiation, is thinner in winter months, offering less natural protection. Apply SPF to exposed areas — ears, neck, scalp, hands and face — before getting dressed for added safety.
5. Through Light Clothing
Not all clothing blocks the sun. Lightweight fabrics like silk, thin cotton or crepe can let sunlight through, and lighter-colored clothes let more light reach your skin. For example, a white cotton T-shirt offers protection only around SPF 5. For better coverage, choose darker, tightly woven or heavier fabrics like denim, wool, or dense synthetics such as polyester or rayon.
How To Choose And Apply An SPF Moisturizer
Look for “broad spectrum” on the label to ensure protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Check the SPF number — for everyday use, choose a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Reapply as needed, especially if you’re outdoors, sweating or swimming.
Our all-mineral sunscreens are made specifically for the face and neck. They’re silicone-free and packed with natural botanicals and active ingredients to support the skin while protecting it from sun damage.
Our all-mineral SPF formulas are:
– Ideal for daily use
– Based on zinc oxide for mineral protection
– Silicone-free
Best SPF Options For Daily Use
1. Sun Defense Minerals
Eminence Organics Sun Defense Minerals is a lightweight, mineral powder sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection while helping to mattify and even skin tone. Made with natural minerals, it forms a barrier against UV rays and can reduce premature aging. Gentle on sensitive skin, it’s great for daily use, touch-ups and reapplying over makeup without clogging pores.
One spa partner, Tammy S., says she loves the reformulated Sun Defense Minerals, calling it lightweight and easy to reapply and praising the convenience of the new packaging.
Price: $58.00 (25 reviews)
2. Rosehip & Lemongrass Lip Balm
This hydrating, all-natural SPF 15 lip balm softens and protects lips from UV exposure. Rosehip oil soothes dryness while lavender restores softness, leaving weather-damaged lips moisturized and guarded against future harm.
3. Radiant Protection SPF Fluid
Radiant Protection SPF Fluid combines bakuchiol — a natural retinol alternative that smooths skin texture — with niacinamide, which supports the skin barrier and hydration. This SPF 30 formula is ideal for dry to combination skin.
Price: $58.00 (65 reviews)
4. Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40
This lightweight daily moisturizer (not to be confused with the sport version) includes cocoa seed extract and satsuma mandarin peel. With SPF 40 mineral protection, it helps improve the look of skin exposed to blue light and pollution. One customer, Jess M., called it her new favorite moisturizer and praised the scent and how little is needed per use.
5. Daily Defense Tinted SPF
Daily Defense Tinted SPF is an all-mineral, tinted formula with SPF 50+ that provides broad-spectrum and blue-light protection. Noncomedogenic, it gives a subtle tint to blur imperfections and is enriched with prickly pear seed oil and rosemary extract to help prevent dry, flaky-looking skin.
6. Lilikoi Mineral Defense Sport Sunscreen
If you want an all-over option, the Lilikoi Mineral Defense Sport Sunscreen offers water-resistant, head-to-toe protection for face and body during outdoor activities. Suitable for all skin types; reapply after 40 minutes of swimming or heavy sweating for best results.
Ready to make SPF part of your daily skincare? Connect with an Eminence Organics Spa Partner to find the all-mineral SPF moisturizer that fits your skin.