WHY SPF SHOULD BE YOUR YEAR-ROUND ESSENTIAL

There’s one skincare step that is non-negotiable: sun protection! Despite growing awareness about the dangers of UV exposure, many of us still struggle to understand exactly how the sun affects our skin and what we can do to protect it effectively. Whether you're a skincare enthusiast or someone who simply wants to avoid sun damage, understanding the dangers of UV radiation and why SPF is so important can make all the difference in maintaining healthy skin for years to come!

Understanding UV Exposure

So what actually are the differences between UVA and UVB, and why does it matter so much? Firstly let's break down UVB, this penetrates the top layer of your skin to cause the painful sunburn we’re all familiar with, and is the first warning sign of sun damage to your cells. Then you have UVA, which travels through windows, clouds and even deep into your skin's dermis, causing aging of the cells by reducing elasticity within the skin, making the appearance of wrinkles more visible. 

Protection isn’t just for aesthetic purposes either! Both UVB and UVA can contribute to the development of skin cancer, especially after repeat exposure. 

How to Choose the Right SPF

With all the different sun cream on the market it's hard to know which one is going to offer you the best protection, here’s the basics! Keep the number high, we recommend going no lower than an SPF 30 in order to get the high levels of protection you need to prevent harmful skin damage. Always remember to check the SPF you are using provides you with both UVA and UVB protection also known as Broad Spectrum SPF, your skin is not fully protected if you are only blocking one type of UV. 

SPF effectiveness depends largely on consistent application, which means finding a formula that works with your specific skin type. Test out different formulas, SPF’s can either be mineral based or chemical, so what's the difference? Mineral SPF's work by creating a physical barrier on the skin's surface to block UV rays from penetrating the skin, while chemical SPF's work by absorbing the UV rays and converting them into heat. Both methods are safe and effective at preventing skin damage from UV rays, so it all depends on what works for you and your skin! You can never have enough sun protection, so for that little extra something, layer our 5 In 1 Anti-Redness Day Cream SPF50 on top of your everyday SPF.

Application Tips

For effective protection, quantity matters significantly. Apply sunscreen using the "two-finger rule": squeeze a line of product along your index and middle fingers, from base to tip. This may seem like a lot but it's important to cover all the areas you might miss otherwise like ears, eyelids and hairline. Try to always put your SPF on 15-30 minutes before you are exposed to the sun in order to allow the ingredients to create a sufficient barrier on your skin. 

Remember, SPF doesn’t last all day and will need to be reapplied every 2 hours or as often as you can! This is even more important when you are sweating or exposed to water, which can start to remove the protective layer from your skin and make you vulnerable to skin damage.