Sunscreen is an essential part of any skincare routine, but with so many options on the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re a skincare enthusiast or just beginning to prioritise sun protection, understanding what to look for in a sunscreen can help you make the best choice for your skin type and lifestyle.
Why should you use SpF?
Horrifyingly, 80% of skin damage is caused by the sunlight. UV radiation stops the production of collagen and elastin leading to fine lines and wrinkles, and slows the generation of glycosaminoglycans, which attract water to hydrate the skin. This reduction in the extracellular matrix reduces the surface area available for nutrient delivery, causing skin to also appear dull. Prolonged wound healing time can also occur as UV radiation compromises the skin’s immune function. Melanocytes (pigment-producing skin cells) additionally produce far too much melanin, to protect themselves from UV rays, resulting in age spots and an uneven skin tone. However, most importantly of all, UV radiation causes damage to our skin cell’s DNA, contributing to the development of skin cancer.
What do SPF ratings mean?
The SPF rating tells you how long the sun’s UV radiation would take to redden your skin versus the amount of time without any sunscreen. So, if you used a SPF 50, it would take 50 times longer to burn than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen.
As a quick guide:
SPF 15 blocks about 93% of UVB rays.
SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays.
SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays.
To prevent skin ageing, you should use at least an SPF 30 on your face every day. However, we advise all our clients to wear an SPF 50. Your SPF should be a separate product, not one included in your moisturiser or foundation, as you will not use enough to provide adequate levels of protection.
What are UVA, UVB, and infrared radiation?
You want to opt for a broad-protection sunscreen that ideally protects against UVA, UVB, and infrared radiation (IR). So, what’s the difference between them?
Well, UVA rays are present 365 days a year and can even penetrate through clouds and glass windows. These rays hit the dermis of the skin and are responsible for skin ageing.
UVB is the burning ray that occurs more in the summer months. This radiation affects the outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, leading to skin reddening, sunburn, and hyperpigmentation.
However, the secret enemy is IR, which comes from every light source, including phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs. So, unless you live in a cave, you will be exposed to vast amounts of IR. IR penetrates the deepest to affect the subcutaneous layer, leading to volume loss and sagging.
How often and how much sunscreen should I wear?
People have a misconception that you should only wear sunscreen in the summer months or on holiday, but as we are exposed to UVA and IR daily, you should be applying your SPF 50 every day. For extra marks, you should apply two finger lengths worth of sunscreen to your face in the morning and reapply every 2 hours throughout the day, as well as after sweating and swimming.
This can be a pain if you’re wearing a full face of makeup, so we recommend getting the Heliocare 360 SpF 50 Invisible spray to carry with you to quickly spray over your makeup throughout the day.
What type of sunscreen should I choose?
There are two types of suncream: chemical and physical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens contain agents like zinc oxide, which sit on top of the skin and deflect UV rays, whereas chemical sunscreens absorb radiation and dissipate it as heat in the skin. If you suffer from rosacea or have sensitive skin, it’s best to avoid chemical sunscreens, as they can make you flush or cause skin irritation.
Our favourite type of sunscreen and the product we get all our clients hooked on is the Obagi SPF 50 Sun Shield Tint. You use it like a foundation, which means you remember to wear it every day. It evens out your skin tone, doesn’t sit in your creases like foundation, and gives you a beautiful glow!
Choosing the right sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. We advise applying two finger lengths worth of SpF 50 as a standalone product daily and reapplying every two hours. If you still need clarification or want help choosing the right product for you, book in for one of our skincare consultations.