Sunscreen
You’ve once, you’ve heard it twice and I’m going to tell you a third time – there is nothing better for your skin than to apply sunscreen EVERYDAY. It doesn’t matter if you think you’re only going to be inside or any other excuse you can come up with – incorporating SPF into your skincare routine is one of the best ways to slow down skin ageing.
What is the best type of sunscreen to use?
Ideally you’ll want a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects you from both UVA & UVB rays. UVB are commonly referred to as burning rays as they are the most common cause of sun burn and skin cancer. UVB rays are strongest in summer and then not as strong throughout the other seasons in the year. But UVA rays are just as concerning – sometimes referred to as ‘ageing rays’ UVA rays are the cause of long term skin damage, sun spots & wrinkles. And UVA rays are just as strong all year round, even when it’s cloudy or raining. Which is why you should be wearing sunscreen everyday.
You’ll need something with at least SPF 15 or higher. The SPF factor is what determines how effective the sunscreen will be in protecting you from UVB rays. So if you’ve got skin that tends to burn after 10 minutes in the sun SPF15 will protect you for 15×10= 150 minutes. SPF15 is fine for most people, but you might want to step up your SPF protection if you’re very pale, have a history of skin cancer in your family or suffer from skin conditions such as lupus. It’s important to keep in mind that SPF30 isn’t double as strong as SPF 15 – it only blocks out about 10% more UVB rays then SPF15 – you just have to apply it less frequently.
Try: Pelactiv Skin Defense Spf 30+ Face Lotion 100ml. $26.20
Depending on where you’re going you might want to also try something thats sweat and water resistant (if you’re exercising or swimming etc). Find something that defends against prolonged skin damage from UV light and environmental assault. Be careful though – water resistant doesn’t mean water resistant all day. Your sunscreen will still wear off after you’ve been in the water for a while so it’s recommended you reapply every hour.
Try: Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport SPF50 156ml. $37.20
Trying to apply slimy, greasy sunscreen onto children is what nightmares are made of. There is a whole range of kid friendly sunscreen that makes applying sunscreen fun, helps children form good sun protection habits early and doesn’t irritate the sensitive skin of children or babies.
If you’re worried about chemicals and other nasties in your suncare – you could always try an all natural option.
Try: Eco Tan Natural Coconut Sunscreen SPF 30 Face & Body Duo Pack. $29.95
When should you apply sunscreen?
When incorporating sunscreen into your skincare routine you should still follow your routine as normal – so serum, eye cream, day cream then apply sunscreen over your day cream. If you’ve got oilier skin you might want to skip your serum as the sunscreen can make your face a little bit more oily than usual. Don’t be afraid to layer your products; layering does not make the sunscreen any less effective. You can go ahead and put your make-up on top of your sunscreen and you will be covered! It’s probably not best to mix your sunscreen in with another product such as your face moisturiser as you’d probably end up with a smaller amount of product and protection.
Make sure your sunscreen is applied at least 20 minutes before you head outside to allow for skin absorption and best protection.
Now you’ve got all the facts you’ll never leave home without a solid layer of SPF on….
Right?
Let me know your best sun protection tips below.