The importance of SPF for your skin

Sun creams

SPF is a measure of burn time and indicates how long you can stay in the sun while being protected. If you are pale, I would recommend purchasing a sun cream with at least SPF 30 as you'll be more sensitive to the sun. It is critical to ensure that your using broad spectrum. This shields your skin against UVA and UVB rays.

UVA

UVA causes aging and is present all year, which is why it is critical to wear SPF all the time, not just when the sun is out. UVA is not mentioned in sun creams, despite the fact that it penetrates deeper into the skin than UVB. UVA causes wrinkles, age spots and lines and is also associated with skin cancer.

UVB

UVB is responsible for sunburn and travels deep into the skin but not as deep as UVA. UVB cannot travel through glass so you are protected when inside.

Two types of sun creams

Physical

There are fewer chemicals in your physical sun creams, meaning they are suitable for people with sensitive skin. This is ideal for people who suffer from rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis. When you apply the sun cream it works immediately, and this is why these creams can be a little pricey. Physical sun creams contain ingredients such as zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and other ingredients that form a barrier on the skin and reflect light. A physical sun cream will provide you with greater UVA protection and will protect your collagen, thereby slowing the aging process of your skin.

Chemical

Chemical sun creams take a little longer to absorb into the skin because they must be absorbed by the epidermis. Allow 10-15 minutes before exposing yourself to the sun. Chemical sun creams are very cheap. Some sun creams contain both physical and chemical ingredients.

How to apply

The Irish Cancer Society recommends at least half a teaspoon for the face. When it comes to applying SPF, it should be the final step in your routine. If you're wearing makeup, apply your SPF right before you put it on. SPF can also be embedded in your primer, moisturizer, or makeup. You will obviously not notice an effect in your skin from the sun until years later. Sun burn causes photo aging by breaking down your collage, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.

Flash back

Zinc oxide and titanium oxide are the main ingredients that cause flashback. An SPF contains a flashback because it reflects light away from your skin in order to protect it. It's not always SPF that causes flashback; it could be your foundation, concealer, or powder. It all comes down to the ingredients in the product and how well they work together as well as trial and error.

What to look out for

If the broad spectrum is not labelled on the sun cream, look at the star rating, which measures the amount of UVA protection the product can provide. The rating ranges from one to five stars, and the higher the number, the better protected you are. You can also check by looking for a small circle around UVA on the bottle.

My recommendations

My personal favorites are the La Roche Posay sun creams. They have a large variety to choose from and a product to suit everyone including Creams, fluids, sprays, and sticks suiting oily, dry, dehydrated, and aging skin. There extremely light weight and fast absorbing. La Roche Posay products are suitable for people with sensitive skin.

Anthelios Invisible Anti-Shine Mist

A high protection sunscreen for oily and blemish-prone skin prone to sensitivity. This can be applied throughout the day over your makeup. It protects you from UVA and UVB rays while reduce shine. It has an invisible matt finish.

Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50+

This fluid is lightweight and broad spectrum. It’s also ultra-water sweat and sand resistant. This non-greasy cream does not leave white marks on the skin. You can also get this product with a tint to even out skin tone.

Pixi Sun Mist is another great product that is broad spectrum SPF 30. This contains a lightweight formula with Sunflower and Cucumber to hydrate and cool. This sun mist is easy to reapply as it can be worn over and under makeup.

Summary

• There is no major difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 other than marketing. SPF 50 only gives you 1 percent of extra coverage.

• Sun creams don’t mention UVA even though it goes deeper into the skin than UVB

• Physical sun creams – for sensitive skin

• Chemical sun creams – take longer to activate

• SPF is only a factor which measures your burn time, it doesn’t measure UVA

• The Irish Cancer Society recommends at least half a teaspoon for the face.

• I recommend La Roche Posay Sun creams

Lots of Love,

Chloe x