Chances are that your 2022 summer holiday has been cancelled. But luckily, the sun is still shining bright at home, bringing the holiday vibes straight to our front doors and back gardens. But before you grab your sunglasses and head out for a day of basking in the rays, you’ll need to remember to slather on the SPF just like you would on holiday – and yes, that includes under your makeup.
Ideally, we should all wear face sun screen all year round, but it’s especially important during the summer months when the weather is hottest and we’re all spending more time outside.
However, there’s no denying that many skip SPF because it messes with our skin, either causing blocked pores and oiliness, or else leaving a chalky finish. To help you find the right product to suit your exact skin type and tone, we’ve spoken to the experts to bring for their ultimate advice…
What exactly is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It measures the level of protection a product will give you from UVB. The British Association of Dermatologists recommend always using a minimum of SPF 30, which blocks 97% of UVB. To put that into context, SPF 15 blocks 93% and SPF 50 blocks 98%.
So, are there different types of UV rays?
Yes, the sun emits two different types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA and UVB. The former penetrates deep into the skin, while UVB rays are shorter, burning the surface.
How much damage can UV rays really cause?
That deep tan you have today will make your skin resemble a beat-up Mulberry tomorrow (or in 10 years’ time, at least). Sun damage shows itself in the form of dullness, uneven pigmentation and loss of firmness. “Ultraviolet rays from the sun are extremely harmful to the skin and cause more than 90 per cent of the visible signs of ageing including wrinkles, sagging, rough patches and skin discolouration,” confirms Dr Shirin Lakhani. Both UVA and UVB play a role in the development of skin cancer.