This tiny daily habit could save your skin (and maybe even your life)
There are two types of people in this world. Those who treat sunscreen as essential as brushing their teeth, and those who still believe they can outsmart the sun. I fall firmly in the first group. I cannot step out the door without SPF on my face. It is the foundation of every makeup look I wear, the safety blanket I do not leave home without. Forget my wallet, fine. Forget my sunscreen, impossible.
Sunscreen was never a complicated choice for me. I once heard my mother’s friend say that you will regret it if you do not start young, and that was enough to convince me. Add to that a cultural moment where celebrities began declaring that the sun is the skin’s number one enemy, and it clicked. I made sunscreen my ritual and I never looked back.
But most people around me, especially the men in my life, have been harder to convince. They tell me they do not burn, or they think it is unnecessary if they are only in the car. Or worse, they just forget.
I try scare tactics. I tell them that they will look older than me one day if they skip it. Sometimes, it works. Sometimes, they roll their eyes, which is why I’ve decided to call in real authority this time.
Dr. Windie Villarica-Hayano is a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of The Skin Inc. Dermatology and Laser Center in Makati. With over 20 years of clinical experience and international training in laser surgery and anti-aging dermatology, she has built her reputation on translating complex skin science into clear, practical advice. If there is one voice that can cut through excuses, it is hers.
SPF myths we need to bury
Many Filipinos still believe that sunscreen blocks vitamin D. Dr. Villarica-Hayano is quick to correct this. The truth is that SPF filters harmful rays, but you can still get vitamin D through incidental sun exposure.
She also points out that the numbers we see on bottles come from lab tests and do not reflect how most people actually use sunscreen. Nobody applies the thick layer used in controlled testing. This is why she emphasizes reapplication throughout the day.
The other excuse she often hears is “I do not burn.” According to her, what is happening beneath the surface is more damaging than a little redness. “That is direct DNA damage,” she says. “Degeneration, descent, [and] deterioration. You may not see it now, but your skin is paying the price in the long run.”
Why Filipinos skip it
Filipinos, she explains, are naturally pigmented, which means melanin provides some natural protection. This creates a false sense of security. “We do not burn and we do not wrinkle as quickly, so people think they do not need SPF,” she says.
Add to that the idea that sunscreen is expensive, or that formulas are heavy, and it is easy to see why acceptance has been slow. But with so many modern options available, she insists that there are no more excuses.
Do all sunscreens work the same?
Today, sunscreen comes in every form imaginable: sticks, sprays, powders, gels, and tinted creams. Some are excellent. Some are more hype than help.
Dr. Villarica-Hayano says that gels work beautifully for acne-prone skin, while sticks are ideal for golfers, guys, or teenagers who want something quick and portable. Powders are best for touch-ups or even for the scalp, but they should not be your only line of defense. Sprays, she admits, are the most wasteful and least effective, although using them is still better than nothing if it is all you have.
At the end of the day, she insists that consistency matters more than format. “The idea is to use it and use it properly,” she stresses.
Everyday habits that matter
What about those who complain that they are too lazy to reapply? Dr. Villarica-Hayano suggests finding products that fit seamlessly into your routine, like tinted sunblocks that double as primers. For makeup wearers, compact cushions, powders, or sticks make it easier to top up without ruining a look.
And no, cloudy skies or indoor office life are not an excuse to skip. UVA rays penetrate glass, and they are the ones most responsible for premature aging.
She puts it bluntly. “People never apply enough. You can always put more. You are never overdoing it.”
Health before vanity
It is tempting to think of sunscreen as a mere beauty product, but Dr. Villarica-Hayano reminds us that it is also a preventative medicine. Regular SPF use does more than soften wrinkles. It lowers the risk of pre-cancers and skin cancers, conditions that are real but often ignored in this part of the world.
What works best for Filipinos
If she could design the perfect sunscreen for us, Dr. Villarica-Hayano says that it would be lightweight, hydrating, covering a broad spectrum, and suitable for every skin tone. It would also contain antioxidants like vitamin C to give extra protection from pollution and free radicals.
As for the brands she personally trusts, she points to mineral formulas like TIZO for its smooth matte finish and Shiseido or Anessa for their elegant, reliable protection. I can vouch for Anessa myself. It has been my daily go-to for years because it feels light and never gets in the way of makeup.
The final word
So why is it so hard to get people, especially men, to take sunscreen seriously? Maybe because skin damage is invisible until one day it suddenly is not. You do not feel DNA damage happening. You only feel the regret later.
Think of sunscreen as the one small, boring habit that pays back in ways no serum, treatment, or miracle cream ever will. As Dr. Villarica-Hayano says, the real trick is not finding the trendiest formula. The real trick is using it. Every day. Without exception.
And if you are still not convinced, let me put it this way. This tiny step is cheaper than Botox, easier than laser, and friendlier than the sun will ever be. I hope this convinces you just how important it really is. I am only looking out for you.
