Those 3 little letters; ‘SPF’ are thrown around a lot, especially as temperatures rise. We all know the importance of keeping protected, but what exactly should we be looking for in an SPF?
As experts in skincare since 1993, we know a thing or two about the significance of caring for your skin, so we’ve listed our top tips to ensure you’re covered in the sun!
What SPF should I use?
‘The lower the SPF, the better I’ll tan’ – not true. An SPF 15 does not give you half of the protection of an SPF 30 – in fact: an SPF 15 blocks around 93% of all UVB rays whilst an SPF 30 filters out 97% and for the most effective protection, an SPF 50 blocks around 98%.
The technical way to look at this is to imagine the skin being exposed to the sun without an SPF for 10 minutes; naturally it begins to burn. An SPF 30 will provide 30 times the level of protection for you skin than no SPF at all.
To round this up, we always advise a minimum of SPF 30 and yes, this does apply to everyone.
What TOP things should I look for in an SPF?
- Water & Sweat Resistant: A water resistant sunscreen will adhere to the skin if you’re in and out of the pool, but bear in mind, ALL sunscreens need to be reapplied frequently.
- Active Ingredients: Look for anything with the words: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and These ingredients are designed to absorb or reflect rays. Some sunscreens do not include any of these substances, instead they’re packed with elements to ensure the sunscreen smells nice and feels luxurious – although that’s great, it’s not protecting the skin.
- Broad Spectrum: When purchasing sunscreen, attempt to find a product that has this on. It guarantees a shield from UVA and UVB rays. This is the highest quality protection.
- Expiry Dates: They matter. It’s great to be organised and purchase your sunscreen the year before, but they do have expiry dates and will not work efficiently after they expire.
I use an SPF daily, but how much should I be applying?
We should use a minimum of two teaspoons of sunscreen to cover the arms and neck and around two tablespoons for the entire body. As the face is a much smaller area, a 50 pence piece amount of sunscreen is enough to protect from harmful rays.
What is the correct method for applying sunscreen?
Most importantly is; generously and thoroughly.
Apply in doors and wait 15-20 minutes for the sunscreen to absorb fully into the skin. Remember, it’s not just legs and arms that burn, consider the neck, ears, feet, hands and scalp (not to forget a lip balm with an SPF for the lips). Frequently re-apply, most certainly after sweating, swimming, and direct contact with the sun.
I have sensitive skin so SPF’s irritate me, what should I do?
For sensitive skin types, we would recommend first and foremost, avoiding perfumed products. You do the same with other skincare products, so it’s only right that your SPF is fragrance free too!
Parabens – they stop fungus, bacteria and other microbes from growing in your favourite creams. They are found in many SPF’s and can irritate and dry the skin. Some brands do formulate their products without this form of preservative.
For prickly heat sufferers, it might not just be the temperature exacerbating your rash – if your SPF contains mineral oils, the likelihood is that it is worsening your condition.
Methylisothiazolinone, also known as; MI is another a preservative ingredient that works in a similar way to parabens. Research has found that there is a link between MI and Contact Dermatitis and Eczema.
The more expensive, the better?
An SPF product that costs a few pounds will be just as effective as a product with the same factor that may be charged at a much higher value.
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and no matter the cost, this is the same thing in all products – it’s protecting you from damaging UV rays. If you’re splurging on a sunscreen, you are not essentially purchasing a higher quality SPF but you’re paying for the other ingredients to bulk out the product such as texture, fragrance or appearance.
The battle of the bottles: Spray V Pour
Spray products are designed to be quick and easy, allowing you to spray and go without getting your hands dirty – whilst this sounds great, you’re not receiving maximum protection, plus, you cannot determine if you have sprayed enough product.
However, if a cream is applied, it is usually thoroughly rubbed into the body and you can squeeze out the desired amount.
For more information on SPF and the treatments we offer for Sun Damaged Skin, click here to book a complimentary conultation with one of our Aesthetic Practitioners.