The Deal With SPF And Why We Should Wear It Everyday!

Posted on Posted in Skincare
The Deal With SPF And Why We Should Wear It Everyday!

What’s the deal with SPF? 

We are regularly told how important SPF is but do we really need it?

Short Answer: YES, absolutely! And not just for your Summer vacay – we should ALL wear SPF daily, yes that’s right Every.Single.Day.

A common misconception is that we only need sunscreen when out in the sun, but in reality we still need it on cloudy days, even throughout a typical British Winter. UVA rays are the same strength from dusk till dawn, all year round, and penetrate cloud cover so make sure you use a good SPF sunscreen in the final step of your daily skincare routine. Other false misconceptions include:

  • I have darker skin so don’t need to wear sunscreen
  • My sunscreen is waterproof, so I don’t need to reapply it after swimming
  • I’m going skiing and it’s cold
  • You can’t get burnt or sun damage through a window
  • I tan easily and don’t burn

But WHY is SPF protection so important? (the science bit)

We need to protect our skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation, so we use sunscreen to protect  from the damaging UVA and UVB rays:

Ultraviolet A (UVA) –– associated with premature aging of the skin

Ultraviolet B (UVB) –– associated with sunburn

Prolonged exposure to these UV rays damage your skin and in turn can lead to skin cancers, skin pre-cancers and premature skin aging including wrinkles, sagging, dullness, dryness, redness and pigmentation.

1 in 36 UK males and 1 in 47 UK females will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in their lifetime.  86% of these cases are preventable. Read more about these statistics and other valuable information on Cancer Research UK

And remember; dark skin is just as susceptible to sun damage – It’s just less visible as the pigment that causes redness may not always be as prominent.

Choosing a sunscreen: What’s the difference?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and the number on the sunscreen bottle refers to how long your skin will be protected from burning if the sunscreen is used as directed. 

For example, if you apply SPF 30 your skin will be protected for 30 times longer than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen. 

However, double the SPF number does not necessarily mean double the amount of protection from UVB radiation. 

SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays

SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays

After that, the difference in protection is small

SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays

SPF 100 blocks 99% of UVB rays

What to look for and how to apply?

  • Always go with a Broad Spectrum sunscreen: Protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
  • Pick an SPF suited to your activity: 

SPF 15: Ideal for every day, occasional exposure, like walking your dog, or driving to work. 

SPF 30 or higher: Necessary for extended outdoor activities, including distance running, hiking, swimming and outdoor sports. SPF 30 is a must if you work outdoors. 

  • Consider Water resistant & Very Water Resistant: For swimming or intense exercise. 

No sunscreen is waterproof as they all eventually wash off. Sunscreens labeled water resistant are tested to be effective for up to 40 minutes of swimming, while very water resistant sunscreens stay effective for up to 80 minutes in the water.

Apply 20-30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the sunscreen to absorb and bind to your skin. Although this means that you’re technically protected for a certain duration of time, it is generally recommended that you re-apply your broad spectrum sunscreen every two hours hours of exposure, and immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

Most healthcare professionals recommend wearing a minimum of SPF 15 each and every day, throughout the year, even when the sun is not out.

And finally – Don’t rely on sunscreen alone!

Sunscreen is the first factor when protecting your skin from UV rays, but shouldn’t be your only protection against the sun.  

Seek shade or stay indoors between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest. 

Sand, snow and water can reflect those rays up and still cause sun damage, even if you are in the shade.

Protect yourself with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection. 

So there you have it! Head over to view Our SPF products

Be Your Happiest You #BYHY

Love

Sharon


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