Like most people, I expect one of the first things you pack for your holiday is sunscreen. But again, like most people, I don’t expect using sunscreen is part of your daily skincare routine whilst home, am I right? We meet so many clients whose main concerns are signs of ageing, fine lines, wrinkles, sunspots or hyperpigmentation, all of which have mainly been caused by sun damage, yet they still don’t wear a daily SPF. A lot of our clients are not even aware that the main factor causing these concerns is the sun! Year-round SPF is paramount for protecting your skin against the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. If you’re not wearing SPF every day you need to rethink and consider adding this into your daily routine. The sun doesn’t take a break and neither should you from applying daily SPF!
Why is it so important to wear sun protection?
Firstly, ultraviolet (UV) rays come in two main forms: UVA & UVB. UV rays make up a small percentage of the sun’s rays but cause the most damage from sunspots to skin cancer!
Though UVA rays are less intense than UVB, UVA rays are 30 – 50 times more prevalent and are present with fairly equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year and can penetrate clouds and glass. So, if you previously thought that a cloudy day was an excuse to skip the sunscreen ……… think again! Even when it’s overcast, reach for moisturisers, serums and other skin care products containing an SPF of at least 15. These products can help protect your skin from UV damage in an everyday capacity.
UVA rays are known as the dominant tanning rays and they penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB and it has long been known to play a major part in skin ageing (photoaging), causing damage such as fine lines and wrinkles, but studies over the past 20 years have shown that UVA damages skin cells in the basal layer where most skin cancers occur, therefore, UVA contributes to and may even initiate the development of skin cancers. During days spent outdoors, you’ll require a higher level of SPF 30+ which will need to be reapplied very two hours.
UVB rays are the chief cause of skin reddening and sunburn and tends to damage the skin’s more superficial epidermal layers. It plays a key role in the development of skin cancer and a contributory role in tanning and photoaging.
Where does SPF go in your skincare routine?
SPF is an extremely important element in your skincare routine. Year round, whether you’re hot, cold, can see the sun or not, it’s still there and its UV rays can still damage your skin. To prevent your skin becoming damaged in any way by the sun, make sure to apply SPF first thing in the morning. We recommend after you have completed your morning skin care routine of cleanse, tone, serum, moisturise you then apply your SPF. Leave a few minutes to soak in and then apply makeup as you normally would.
Remember, the best defence against sun damage from wrinkles to dark spots to cancers is a strong SPF!
Recommended daily SPFs
• CliniCare Dermo Corrective Cream SPF50 (can be purchased directly through us)
• CliniCare Sun Shield Cream SPF30 (can be purchased directly through us)
• Anthelios Shaka Fluid SPF50