Summer is coming: The importance of wearing SPF
With summer fast approaching, it’s easy to get excited about spending lots more time outside basking in the sun. However, with all the good the sun brings, it’s not a friend to our skin. Too much exposure can cause sunburn, dark spots, premature ageing and can even heighten the risk of skin cancer. That’s why it’s incredibly important to protect your skin with SPF.
Whether you know your hyaluronic acid from your niacinamide, or you’re a complete newbie to skincare, SPF should always be a staple in your routine. Read on to find out why.
What is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and you probably refer to it already as ‘sun cream.’ In fact, SPF and sun cream are often referred to as the same thing - it’s just that the skincare industry tends to use ‘SPF’ in their marketing.
SPF is a measure of how well a product (this is usually a sun cream or moisturiser) will protect your skin from UV rays - the kind of sun rays that causes sunburn and damage. Products with SPF in them work by blocking out these damaging rays.
Here’s how the SPF scale works according to Cancer Research UK
SPF 15 filters out 93% UV rays
SPF 30 filters out 96% of UV rays
SPF 60 filters out 98% of UV rays
Why SPF is important, especially in summer
SPF is incredibly important for our skin for a number of different reasons, here are some key ways it can help your skin.
It keeps your skin radiant and youthful
The sun can cause a common condition called hyperpigmentation, which refers to dark patches that appear on the skin. SPF helps prevent hyperpigmentation and will help improve the appearance of the skin by preventing worse damage.
SPF will also help keep your skin looking young by preventing signs of ageing like wrinkles and age spots. It also helps to retain the elasticity of your skin - keeping it bouncy and plump.
It can protect you from skin cancer
One of the biggest and most important reasons to consider using SPF is that it helps protect against skin cancer, also known as melanoma. Depending on your skin type and family history, you may want to research the best factor of SPF for you. If you’re concerned about skin cancer, visit your GP or a dermatologist for expert advice.
When to use SPF
Experts recommend using SPF all year round whenever you go outside, even in the winter. This is because rays can still get through clouds and affect our skin. In summer, SPF is even more important. With longer days, less cloud cover and the likelihood that you’ll be spending more time outside, you’ll be exposing your skin to much more potential damage.
In summer, use a higher SPF every day, and reapply every few hours when you’re in the sun.
In your skincare routine, SPF should be the last step after moisturising and before makeup. Thankfully, there are many different SPF products out there to suit different routines and skin types. Some moisturisers, primers and even foundations contain SPF in them too.
Prevention is the way forward
Remember, the best skincare is preventative. Focusing on trying to stop damage is far better, easier and cheaper than trying to reverse it later in life. Don’t forget your SPF on the beach this summer!