Many are surprised to learn that the skin is your body’s largest organ.  In addition to its size, the skin also represents the organ most exposed to the outside elements.  Heat, cold and wind can make the skin uncomfortable, however, exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause it serious damage.  Those with fair complexions, or with a history of skin cancer within their family, are strongly advised to buy sunblock prior to any appreciable exposure to the sun.  Failure to do so can result in adverse effects ranging from premature wrinkling all the way to potentially life threatening melanomas.

Many people confuse sunscreen with sunblock.  You should ensure that you buy sunblock, as opposed to sunscreen, in order to prevent any dangerous UV rays from penetrating through to your skin.  An effective sunblock will block all of these deleterious rays while a sunscreen will not fully block exposure to all rays within the UV spectrum.  Sunscreens purposefully let in UV rays in order to allow for tanning.  Damage to your skin can result from either prolonged and incremental exposure as well as from single instances of overexposure to the sun.  Use of sunblock addresses both of these concerns.

Effective sunblock with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) prevents the occurrence of sunburns — even when you stay out under the sun longer than planned.  Even a single sunburn has been shown to greatly increase the odds of future serious skin maladies.  Additionally, sunblock shields your skin from ongoing low intensity exposure to UV rays.  Everyday use of sunblock during the summer months yields both of these levels of protection, and when you buy sunblock you are making a smart investment into the future health of your skin.