Protecting your skin with SPF is a crucial skincare step. SPF blocks harmful UV rays from reaching your skin, and it’s not just essential on those hot summer days at the beach.
UV rays are one of the leading causes of skin damage, premature ageing and uneven skin tone, but not many know how to protect against them. UVA and UVB rays are both present throughout the day and both penetrate into your skin causing damage over time. Contrary to popular belief, UV rays damage your skin from dawn to dusk all year round – even in the middle of winter and curled up indoors. UV levels can vary quite a bit, so if you want to be sure your skin is protected, ensure you double check the UV levels and apply that higher strength SPF if necessary!
UVB
Nicknamed ‘the burning ray’, UVB is what you may typically think of when someone mentions sunburn. These rays damage the top layers of the skin and are thought to cause most skin cancers. UVB has slightly higher energy levels than UVA, and is at its strongest in the summer when the sun is beating down on you at the height of it’s strength. Regardless of seasons, UVB should be protected against year round. UVB has a shorter wavelength than UVA and is generally more noticeable as its intensity causes you to feel the effects on your skin – in the form of sunburn. Unlike UVA, UVB rays are partially absorbed by the ozone layer, but some manage to slip through.
UVA
UVA penetrates deeper into your skin and does so without you noticing. This unnoticed damage can lead to the premature ageing of your skin in the form of wrinkles and fine lines. UVA rays have the potential to cause damage to cells deeper in the skin; this is because they are more penetrating than other UV rays, have higher wavelengths, but lower energy levels. Most of the UV radiation that reaches us is UVA because it isn’t absorbed by the ozone layer like UVB. UVA can penetrate clouds and windows, so it’s important to layer on the SPF even if it’s a cloudy day.
So, how do you keep yourself safe from UV radiation every day? SPF.
SPF is an everyday skincare essential. Using SPF alongside simple strategies to protect yourself every day can help to prevent sun damage, premature ageing, sunburn, skin cancers and more.
Apply Broad-Spectrum Sun Protection
Investing in a sun cream, moisturiser, or other high SPF products and incorporating them into your daily routine is the easiest way to keep yourself protected. Generally, broad-spectrum SPF products between SPF30 and SPF50 will keep your skin protected best from both UVA and UVB rays.
- Apply SPF generously. For most individuals it’s good practice to measure out two or three fingers (index and middle) worth of SPF for your face, and a shot glass’ worth for exposed areas of your body. Of course,no one’s skin is identical, so you may need more than a shot glass or three fingers worth of SPF to adequately protect your skin.
- Reapply your SPF every 2 hours when exposed to the sun, and immediately after getting wet.
- Keep yourself in the shade to protect your more vulnerable areas with a hat and sunglasses.
- Don’t forget to apply to often neglected areas, like your ears and the back of your neck.
- Remember that UV rays can penetrate glass. You should consider SPF when relaxing indoors if you’re exposed to the sun!
- UV rays reflect off light surfaces like snow and water which intensifies your exposure, so using SPF at the beach or pool is essential. Applying SPF the autumn and winter is still important, and if you’re skiing or up in the mountains at any time of year, make sure you have a high broad-spectrum SPF on to protect yourself.
SPF Products We Recommend
Dermalogica AGE Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50 – Targeted towards smart management and treatment of skin ageing. If you’re looking for absolute hydration alongside high levels of broad-spectrum sun protection, this is the product for you.
Dermalogica Invisible Mineral Sunscreen SPF30 – Provides invisible, weightless defence that easily blends into the skin, boasting only non-nano Zinc Oxide. Ideal for all skin types, even sensitive skin.
Dermalogica Daylight Defense™ SPF50 Sport delivers high sun protection against UV rays. The lightweight formula is enriched with Oleosome microspheres. This helps support the SPF performance and reduce moisture loss triggered by extended exposure to sunlight.
Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF30 Moisturiser – A light-activated multitasking moisturiser. Offers SPF30 broad-spectrum defence whilst preventing further skin damage caused by external stressors with breakthrough antioxidant technology.
Choosing the right SPF product for your skin can feel overwhelming. At Beauty Flash, we have a wide range of sun protection products. You can be sure that we’ll have something perfectly matched to your individual skin needs.
