SPF is the most important part of any skincare routine, but which sunscreen is right for you?
SPF is one of the most important stages of your daily skincare routine – yes daily! I’m not just talking about sunscreen at the beach. We all remember to pop on the SPF when the sun comes out, especially now the weather’s getting warmer and those beach days are calling. But we should also be wearing SPF even when those clouds roll in and we collectively complain ‘where’s the Summer gone?’.
There are two main types of UV rays we’re protecting our skin from: the first is UVB, which is associated with sunburn and going red. UVB is generally the reason we pop on sunscreen before heading out for a day at the beach, or sunbathing in the garden. But the other type is just as important, although too often forgotten about – UVA. Ultraviolet A causes the premature ageing of skin; public enemy number 1 over here!
The melanin in your skin (the pigment found in our outer skin cells), helps protect your skin from the sun, but it’s only human, like you. And it can only protect you so much, which is why, after too much exposure to these harmful ultraviolet rays our skin darkens, tans, burns or starts to peel. A good SPF is an essential barrier against damage, and your skin will absolutely love you for it.
Why should you wear SPF?
We all wear sunscreen to protect our skin, but what exactly are we protecting it from?
Skin cancer
Premature ageing
Dark spots or hyperpigmentation
Loss of elasticity
Sunburn
It’s not a nice list is it? And that scary one at the top, is definitely not a risk you want to ignore!
According to Cancer Research UK there are around 16,700 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year, that’s 46 every day. Melanoma skin cancer is the 5th most common cancer in the UK.
The worst part is that a massive 86% of skin cancer cases are preventable by wearing a good SPF and limiting exposure to harsh ultraviolet rays. It really can make that much of a difference. Just one reason why you should never stop singing the praises of SPF products. They can definitely protect your skin’s appearance from the outside, but they can also protect its health too. The little superheroes!
But what about hyperpigmentation and premature wrinkles? They really can be stopped in their tracks by wearing the right SPF. We all get some wrinkles as we age, it’s the sign of a well lived life – but preventable wrinkles? Nope, pass me the SPF thank you very much!
What SPF do I need?
SPF numbers tell us how long the sun’s rays would take to burn our skin without the sunscreen applied. So theoretically you’d burn in 30 minutes without wearing SPF30. But does that mean the higher the SPF, the better the protection? Well, not quite actually. SPF 50+ filters 98% of UVB (the rays that burn), whereas SPF30 filters 96.7% of UVBs, so the difference is not actually that vast. An SPF30 will give more protection when applied correctly than a SPF50+ spread too thinly. So technique is key… Always apply liberally!
Recommended SPF also varies based on your skin type and the time of year. Over the winter a lower SPF factor should see you through with a once, or twice a day application, but as we head into summer it’s definitely has to be applied much more frequently. My sun protection collection ranges from an antioxidant packed mineral SPF15 to an SPF 130! I have a vast range of SPF’s in the salon you can try. Just book in for a free consultation or send me an email if you’re feeling a little spoilt for choice, and we can chat through which SPF is right for you.
How often should I reapply SPF?
How often you should reapply your SPF often depends on how well you’re applying it in the first place. I can almost guarantee most of us don’t put nearly enough on. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation we should be applying about two tablespoons worth of sunscreen per square centimetre of skin! If you’re using that much across your whole upper body, you’re definitely not alone, so many of us get it wrong! But correct application is so important to make sure your SPF is as effective as it was designed to be. For the face alone you should be applying a ‘two finger length’ size, and if you’re using a spray, you’ll need to spray until a light, even sheen appears.
Once you’ve mastered the art of applying your SPF, how often do you need to reapply? SPFs that you’re using as part of your daily skincare routine should be applied after your moisturiser and before any makeup, about 15-30 minutes before going outside; to give the skin protecting ingredients time to fully bind to your skin. Then once you’re outside you should be reapplying approximately every 1.5 hours, or more diligently if you’ve taken a dip in the pool/sea/hot tub!
Oh and don’t forget your lips! Because lips are constantly exposed to the sun, they’re actually one of the most common sites for skin cancer, so don’t forget to protect them too. Look for lip balms with SPF or sunscreen specifically designed for lips such as the Mesoestetic SPF100+ repairing stick.
What’s the best SPF?
My sun protection range has something for every skin type and lifestyle, so which SPF is best for you? But the exact product can vary depending on you, it can be a little personal preference here, but scroll down for a few of my favourites…
Best for dry skin
Look out for hydrating ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid. The Heliocare 360 Water Gel SPF 50+ is an intensely hydrating water gel sunscreen with an advanced hydration system to help your skin retain moisture! This one has a fast absorbing action, offering a completely clear and matte finish.
Best for oily skin
You’ll probably like a sunscreen with a nice matte finish. The Heliocare 360 Oil Free Gel SPF 50 is perfect for oily and acne prone skin types. This unique dry-touch gel is super lightweight and contains the innovative ingredient Fernblock™; an extract sourced from a fern with the ability to protect itself against the sun’s rays!
Best for sensitive/reactive skin
Fragrance free and formulated without alcohol or parabens, the Heliocare 360 Mineral Tolerance Fluid SPF 50 has been created with sensitive skin in mind. With very high photoimmunoprotection for sensitive, reactive and intolerant skin. This sunscreen also provides intense antioxidant and restorative action against sun damage and premature skin ageing.
Best for anti-ageing
For anti-ageing sun protection, specially formulated to protect your skin from UVA – keeping those premature lines and sun spots at bay! The Heliocare 360 Age Active Fluid SPF50 features a trio of hydrators to plump the skin and smooth out shallow wrinkles. It also has a dreamy ‘soft focus’ complex, that helps to diffuse light, reducing the appearance of fine lines. Supercharged with antioxidants, vitamins and green tea extract, this sunscreen is full of feel good ingredients for your skin.
Best for on-the-go
The Skinbetter Science® Sunbetter™ SHEER SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick is my favourite for popping in my bag for those long summer days. It’s an oil free, 100% mineral miracle stick! Protecting not just against UV rays but also blue light, pollution and infrared radiation. This one’s definitely a summer essential! And don’t forget SPF mists, they are great for applying over make-up throughout the day, one of my favorites is the mesoestetic® Mesoprotech Anti-Ageing Facial Sun Mist SPF 50+