With L.A. (and most of the country) in the middle of a blistering heat wave, a lot of you will be heading to the beach or local pool this Summer to cool off. Most people wear sunscreen when in the sun, or even if they don’t wear sunscreen they typically wear a hat or sunglasses. In general, most people want to and do what they can to protect their skin… because who wants premature wrinkles, ya know?!

Well, in case you don’t wear sunscreen, here are 4 reasons you should:

- It protects your skin from harmful UV rays: The ozone layer is becoming thinner (and basically disappearing) due to several factors… so, this means the risk of sun damage from harmful UV rays is very high. Sunscreen helps to block these rays, which ultimately helps prevent [the chance of] sunburn.

- It lowers the risk of skin cancer: The chance of you developing skin cancer is also due to genetics, but the sun can also play a part in it as well. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S., so wearing sunscreen every day (even in the winter) cuts your risk of developing skin cancer in half. 

- It prevents premature skin-aging: Photoaging is the premature aging of skin caused by repeated UV ray exposure. So, by wearing sunscreen, you can help reduce photoaging and prevent your skin from looking leathery, discolored, saggy, and wrinkly.

- It helps maintain an even skin tone: Sunscreen helps prevent discoloration and dark spots (due to sun damage), which in turn helps maintain a smooth, even skin tone.

Moral of the story is: even if you think you don’t need sunscreen, whatever level of pale or tan you may or may not be, be sure to protect your skin. It’s better to put the proper amount of sunscreen on and be burn-free and healthy than to be drowning your skin in aloe vera wishing you could move. Plus, prevent those wrinkles, people!

(Image via Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

- Jaimee Chiponis, YH Contributing Writer