We have all heard time and time again how crucial it is to apply SPF. While many of us focus on protecting ourselves from the harsh rays during the warmer months, it is easy to neglect SPF application in our daily makeup/beauty routines.
To ensure you are safeguarding your skin from everyday silent UV damage SPF should be a MUST in your everyday beauty regime. UV exposure while in the short term may provide you with a golden glow, long term effects are irreversible. UV exposure causes premature signs of ageing, sun spots, leathery & dry texture not to mention in some cases skin cancer.
When deciding which sunscreen is best for you, it is important to understand the different types of UV rays. While you may have heard about UVA and UVB rays, very few can differentiate between how they affect our skin.
UVA rays cause skin cells to age prematurely, causing wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. These UVA rays are also damaging to our skin’s DNA cells and are what causes our skin to burn as a result of sun exposure.
UVB rays however have slightly more energy than those UVA. These UVB rays cause skin damage and cancer. UVB levels will fluctuate depending on geographic location, altitude, time of year and time of day.
How to choose your sunscreen..
ALWAYS choose a broad spectrum. When deciding which sunscreen is best for you, make sure it is ‘broadspectrum’, this will ensure you are protected from both UVA and UVB rays. Most sunscreens only protect against UVB so be sure to check the label as UVA rays are the ones which cause premature signs of ageing (wrinkles & fine lines).
Be careful to make sure your sunscreen is a primary sunscreen. A lot of products on the market will advertise their product as ‘sunscreen’ however when you read the label closely some state that they are in fact a secondary sunscreen - meaning you still need a primary SPF in order to be fully protected! Confusing...we know.
To ensure that the product you are buying is in fact a a primary sunscreen, look for the TGA listing number on the front of the product. This will ensure you are buying a sunscreen that is guaranteed to protect you properly as it has been recognized by the TGA.
When deciding which SPF protection to go with we recommend SPF 30 minimum. This will protect against damaging rays all year round. We recommend considering lifestyle factors also keeping in mind if you walk to work, sunlight through windows, outdoor activities etc. When deciding between SPF 30 and 50 it is important to consider the level of protection you need. According to the Cancer Council, SPF 30 will provide you with 96.7 % protection from the sun while the SPF 50 will provide you with 98%.
How much to apply..
According to the Cancer Council Australia, the recommended amount for an adult is 5ml (approx. 1 tsp) per body part (arm, leg, face etc). Sunscreen should be applied at least 20 minutes before sun exposure to ensure the intended protective barrier is established.
How to incorporate SPF into skin / makeup routine..
To ensure you are fully protected from UVA & UVB rays we recommend using fragrance free, zinc-based SPF. To incorporate SPF in your every day routine we recommend applying your SPF as the final step in your skincare routine.
TIP - To fight against signs of premature ageing we also recommend applying SPF to the back of hands, this will prevent age spots / damage caused from UV exposure while driving. We also strongly suggest the use of protective wear including sunglasses and a hat all year round.
While we focus on skin care and products that nourish the skin, one thing is for sure, the BEST protection against ageing is sunscreen. This will safeguard your skin for years to come helping you keep that vibrant & youthful glow we all love
