Everything you need to know about SPF
Summer ’18 in the UK has been one of the hottest we’ve seen in a long while. 3 weeks of continuous sun? Forecasted sun for at least another 14 days? It’s crazy, but I’m not complaining.When people think about summer, they quickly realise they need to restock on their SPF and the technicalities of buying the ‘perfect SPF’ can easily overwhelm you. While SPF is fresh in everyone’s minds, I thought it would be the perfect time to make a post explaining everything you need to know about SPF.
To start off with, let’s clarify that SPF is an abbreviation of Sun Protection Factor. With that in mind, here are a few facts about SPF which you might not know, but you really need to know:
Wearing an SPF should be part of your daily routine throughout the whole year, not just in the summer months.
I know it might be hard to believe that SPF is necessary all year round in the UK, but 80% of UV rays still penetrate through the clouds – just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they’re not there! Stay protected from both UVA rays (responsible for ageing the skin and causing wrinkles, which can also penetrate glass) and UVB rays (responsible for sunburning/tanning) by implementing a good SPF into your skincare routine.
Not wearing SPF is the number one contributor to dry, tired and aged skin.
The Sun is a huge fireball and will dry the life out of your skin! Dry skin = premature wrinkles = aged skin. Using SPF daily is an easy and effective skincare step to prevent developing skincare issues. Focus your time and energy on preventative methods and less on products to help you treat issues noticed later.
The sun is better at increasing the hyperpigmentation in your skin than giving you a ‘sun-kissed glow’.
Following on from above, the sun isn’t going to give you that sun-kissed/dewy/beachy look like everything online suggests. That comes from hydrating and moisturising your skin correctly (the total opposite of what the sun does). Click to read more on that here. UV rays from the sun are the devil when it comes to hyperpigmentation/scarring on your face. The rays stimulate the cell melanocytes which produce melanin, making the battle to lighten your scars even harder.
Everyone needs SPF, no matter how much melanin you naturally have.
Skin cancer doesn't discriminate and no matter your skin tone, it's essential to wear SPF to decrease your chances of developing skin cancer. It's true that melanin protects your skin but this isn't enough to overcome the effects of the biggest star in our solar system.
SPF needs to be reapplied depending on which factor you use/how long you spend outdoors.
SPF can be found as an added bonus to makeup products e.g. liquid foundations but they work most effectively when applied as a separate product. SPF’s come in a range of different factors and this is what confuses most people – which one do you need?!
The Basic Guideline to SPF Factors
When looking for an SPF to purchase, you need to look for one that protects you from both UVA and UVB rays:
UVA ray protection: PA followed by either 1-4 + symbols. The more + signs the better protected you are from UVA rays.
UVB ray protection: SPF followed by a number. As a guide, add '0' to the end of the number and this corresponds to the number of minutes you are protected from UVB rays. E.g. SPF 30 = 300 mins of UVB protection.
SPF’s that aren’t thick and don’t leave a white cast on your face DO EXIST!
There are two types of sunscreens. Physical sunscreens and chemical sunscreens. In short, physical sunscreens leave a white cast on your skin as they act as a barrier which UVA rays bounce off of. Chemical sunscreens absorb into the skin and the UV rays absorb into the sunscreen.
Kavita K xo
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